Midterm Hamlet Essay Question
Midterm Hamlet Essay Question
3.
4.
5.
6.
dead father and how the audience are heavily influenced by the vivid
description of his horrific crimes (regicide, incest, adultery). From the very
beginning of the play we are seeing events through Hamlets eyes. Once
the ghost clarifies what really happened we find it hard to escape our
impression of Claudius as a murderous usurper.
In your third paragraph you might discuss the steps he takes to find out
how much Hamlet knows. Hes a clever actor who plays the part of
concerned uncle very well when he summons R&G. Hes also remarkably
calm under pressure during the Murder of Gonzago.
Next discuss his aside (How smart a lash) and the Prayer scene which
offers evidence that he has a conscience and think about the effect this
has on the audiences sympathy for him. However balance that against
the fact that he doesnt confess OR give up the fruits of his crimes.
In your fifth paragraph look at the completely selfish reaction to the
deaths of Polonius (his chief advisor), Ophelia, and Gertrude (his wife and
think about how this influenes our view of him.
Finally discuss the Machiavellian ruthlessness revealed in his emotional
manipulation of Laertes. To say we admire him seems strange but in a way
we do admire his evil genius his determination, his intelligence, his
practical decisive nature even though we cannot approve of the way he
uses these talents for evil rather than for good.
Act 1, scene 2
Claudius is deeply insensitive towards Hamlets grief and has the audacity
to suggest that Hamlet is insulting God by not accepting his fathers death
tis unmanly grief, it shows a will most incorrect to heaven (we later learn
that Claudius is the one who has actually challenged Gods power over life
and death).
He obeys the rule of all tyrants keep your friends close and your enemies
closer by asking Hamlet not to return to college in Wittenburg remain
here in the cheer and comfort of our eye. Claudius phrases it as a request
but Hamlet has to obey.
The contrast between the dead King Hamlet (he was a man, take him for
all in all, I shall not look upon his like again) and the new King (no more
like my father than I to Hercules) upsets Hamlet greatly.
Act 1, scene 5
We hear indirectly of Claudius crime from the ghost. There are echoes of
the garden of Eden when the ghost describes his murder in the orchard
the serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown. Claudius
is referred to by the ghost as garbage & that incestuous, that
adulterate beast who won to his shameful lust the will of my most
seeming virtuous queen.
Act 2, scene 2
Act 3, scene 1
Claudius suggests that Hamlet may be a danger with his turbulent and
dangerous lunacy and concludes that Madness in great ones must not
unwatched go.
He wants to send Hamlet away to England but Polonius convinces him not
to. Instead, Gertrude will confront Hamlet while Polonius eavesdrops (spy
plot 3!)
Claudius is exposed. He says very little in this scene but briefly tries to
stop the performance Have you heard the argument? Is there no offence
in it? and changes the subject what do you call the play but when this
fails he storms out.
Claudius again reveals his more human side. Rather than offering us a
completely evil villain, Shakespeare shows us a glimpse of his inner
turmoil O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven. He realises that he
cannot gain forgiveness for as long as he still possesses the advantages
he gained from committing the crime my crown, mine own ambition and
my queen. He pleads with heaven for comfort o wretched state! O
bosom black as death!help angels
Claudius now has the perfect excuse to send Hamlet away. He knows that
Hamlet is popular and so doesnt punish Hamlet himself for fear of
negative publicity yet must not we put the strong law upon him, hes
loved of the distracted multitude.
His order that Hamlet be killed upon arrival in England will solve the
greatest obstacle to Claudius retaining power and ensure his crime
remains undetected do it England for like the hectic in my blood he rages
and thou must cure me .
Act 4, scene 5
allegianceI dare damnation & Claudius again uses his talent for flattery
to win him over, Good Laerteswhy now you speak like a good child and
a true gentlemanI am guiltless of your fathers death urging him to
distinguish between friend & foe where th offence is let the great axe
fall.
Act 4, scene 7
Claudius receives news that Hamlet has escaped the ship & returned to
Denmark.
The entire plan to challenge Hamlet to a duel, to poison the tip and the
poisoned cup is dreamed up by Claudius but Leartes goes along with it
because Claudius has convinced him that this will be proof of his devotion
to his dead father.
Act 5, scene 1
Act 5, scene 2
Claudius makes only a very feeble attempt to save the Queens life
Gertrude do not drink and then tries to distract attention from her when
she collapses she swoons to see them bleed. Claudius clings to life until
the very end O yet defend me friends, I am but hurt.
Now think about how you might organise this information into 6 paragraphs of
information.
You might begin with your first impressions of him. Act 1, scene 2.
Then you might discuss the scene where Hamlet meets the Ghost of his
dead father and how the audience are heavily influenced by the vivid
description of his horrific crimes (regicide, incest, adultery). From the very
beginning of the play we are seeing events through Hamlets eyes. Once
the ghost clarifies what really happened we find it hard to escape our
impression of Claudius as a murderous usurper.
In your third paragraph you might discuss the steps he takes to find out
how much Hamlet knows. Hes a clever actor who plays the part of
concerned uncle very well when he summons R&G. Hes also remarkably
calm under pressure during the Murder of Gonzago.
Next discuss his aside (How smart a lash) and the Prayer scene which
offers evidence that he has a conscience and think about the effect this
has on the audiences sympathy for him. However balance that against
the fact that he doesnt confess OR give up the fruits of his crimes.
GERTRUDE QUESTION
what kind of man Claudius truly is. Yet there must be something to love in
her (the Ghost still loves her and despite everything that has happened so
does her son).
3. You could then look at the evidence of her motherly concern which is clear
throughout the play -through all the spying plots & particularly after he
murders Polonius.
4. Look at how she reacts when Hamlet confronts her she is not guilty of
murder, but admits to her sins and is tortured by them. She is racked by
guilt (prob for incest/adultery/betrayal) and shows genuine remorse.
5. Gertrudes humanity shines through in her compassionate reaction to
her inability to see her man for who he truly is. She dies.
changed son and recognises the part she may have played in prolonging
his despair I doubt it is no other but the main/his fathers death and our
oer hasty marriage.
There is a hint here that she views her former husbands death as a natural
event she talks of his death, not his murder. This suggests that she had
nothing to do with it and possibly does not know that Claudius killed King
Hamlet.
Act 3, scene 1 The Nunnery Scene
Gertrude again shows motherly concern. She quizes R&G asking if they
managed to cheer him up.
She is full of hope that Ophelia can bring him back to his senses so shall I
hope your virtues will bring him to his wonted way again Although it
seems wrong that she would go along with spying on her , she is son she
is desperate to find some way to help him. Imagine if you caught your
mother reading your diary? Youd find it hard to forgive her, but then again
if she thought you were suicidal and was desperate to find out why so that
she could help you, you might just forgive her.
When Polonius comes up with yet another spying plan let the queen
mother all alone entreat him to show his grief Gertrude is not present.
This is significant because Shakespeare wants us to see Gertrude as
someone who despite her flaws is still looking out for her son rather than
plotting and scheming against him. Is she weak for going along with the
plan? Possibly, but again she is desperate to build bridges and to help her
son.
Act 3, scene 2 The Players Play
Gertrude stays calm during the play despite hearing lines like In second
husband let me be accurst, noe wed the second but who killed the first.
When Hamlet asks How like you this play Madam she responds The
lady doth protest too much me thinks to which he resonds cruelly O, but
shell keep her word. Despite the public embarrassment she does not
react, suggesting perhaps that she has nothing to hide.
Act 3, scene 4 Murder of Polonius
Gertrude expects Hamlet to treat her with respect (have you forgot me?)
not contempt (You are the queen, your husbands brothers wife, and
would it were not so, you are my mother).
She actually believes he might kill her Thou wilt not murder me? Help,
help, ho. Her panicked screams cause Polonius to also shout for help,
which results in Hamlet stabbing the mystery person whos hiding.
Gertrude is shocked O what a rash and bloody deed is this and then
confused by Hamlets reply A bloody deed, almost as bad, good mother,
as kill a King and marry with his brother to which she responds As kill a
King?. Here we have confirmation that she had nothing to do with King
Hamlets murder What have I done? What act? and truly believed that
he died of natural causes.
When Hamlet presents her with two pictures one of King Hamlet, one of
Claudius and asks how she could have chosen the lesser man, she begs
him to stop O Hamlet, speak no more, thou turnst mine eyes into my
very soul. He accuses her of letting her lust/passion/desires overcome her
common sense Nay but to live in the rank sweat of an unseamed bed
and again she is ashamed No more, sweet Hamlet.
Gertrude is deeply concerned about her son when the ghost appears O
gentle son whereon do you look?
Hamlet begs her to repent her sins and reject Claudius but she cannot
bear the idea of being forced to choose between her son and her
lover/husband O Hamlet thou hast left my heart in twain despite the fact
that she now knows what Claudius did (maye she thinks he did it so that
they could be together? We think he did it to gain power).
As the sene ends she agrees to help her son What shall I do? and when
Hamlet asks her not to reveal that his madness is just an act she promises
to keep his secret I have no life to breathe what thou hast said to me
Act 4, scene 1
Gertrude covers for Hamlet when she describes the murder of Polonius to
Claudius, claining that her son is mad as the sea and wind.
Act 4, scene 5 Ophelias madness
Gertrude reluctantly agrees to see Ophelia after initially saying I will not
speak with her. Perhaps she cannot bear to see the pain her son has
caused through his murder of Polonius.
She is filled with foreboding. Every event seems a sign that some great
disaster is imminent to my sick soul, as sins true nature is, each toy
seems prologue to some great amiss. Here Gertrude again recognises
that she has sinned she is probably referring to adultery and incest.
She remains loyal to Claudius in spite of all that Hamlet has told her. She
allows her emotions (love) to take precedence over her sense of right and
wrong (she should be morally outraged and disgusted by what he has
done). When she hears a mob outside calling for Laertes to become King
she is outraged O! this is counter you false Danish dogs. When Laertes
enters she tries to keep him calm and then tries to physically restrain him
from attacking Claudius. She is terrified that Laertes will kill Claudius
before they get a hance to tell him that Claudius did not kill Polonius.
Act 4, scene 7 Ophelias death
Gertrude describes Ophelias death and there is a poetic beauty in her
tragic words There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds
Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke; When down her weedy
trophies and herself Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide;
And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up: Which time she chanted
snatches of old tunes; As one incapable of her own distress, Or like a
creature native and indued Unto that element: but long it could not be Till
that her garments, heavy with their drink, Pulld the poor wretch from her
melodious lay To muddy death.
Gertrude seems deeply distressed and repeats the words drowned,
drowned sadly. Here we see a sharp contrast between Gertrudes genuine
sadness & Claudius selfish response which endears her to us.
Act 5, scene 1 Ophelias funeral
Gertrudes genuine grief is again evident Sweets to the sweet, farewell! I
hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlets wife
She again tries to protect her son by explaining away his attack on Leartes
saying this is mere madness.