Hamlet Act 4 What? Why? How?

Hamlet Act 4-- What? Why? How?

1. Claudius begins and ends the act by lying to Gertrude. Name FOUR other aspects of his character that are provable on the basis of what he says and does in this act. Is he still wracked with guilt, do you think?

2. Has Gertrude reformed after her confrontation with Hamlet in III.iv.?

3. In what ways does Hamlet appear to change during this act?

4. When Laertes speaks in this act, he often uses hyperbolic (over-exaggerated) expressions. What might this imply about him?

5. Why has Ophelia gone mad? How might this be proven?

6. What does the Queen's speech about Ophelia's drowning suggest about her madness and the reasons for her death?

Structure

1. A past exam question reads: 'The action of the play begins to break down after act three'. Discuss. Why might you agree on the basis of act four?

Themes and Imagery

1. Where is disease imagery used in this act? Find FOUR examples. How is the meaning of this imagery made explicit?

2. What do scenes five and seven suggest about what commitment to taking revenge does to people?

3. Nonetheless, in what ways might Hamlet appear to be (morally) better than (a) Fortinbras and (b) Laertes?