Maisha's Brit Lit Journal

Hamlet Act 5 Questions 1)      What do you feel is the point of the gravedigger’s riddles and song?  How does it fit into the play? The gravedigger's songs about death foreshadow the fact that Hamlet is about to die. The way he sings shows that he is not as sensitive about death anymore; also showing that Hamlet will accept his fate. 2)  In what ways do Hamlet’s reactions to the skulls in the graveyard seem to suggest a change in his outlook?  Compare Hamlet’s attitude towards Yoric to Hamlet’s attitude to Ophelia or even his father?  How is it different?    How is it similar? In contrast to the aggressive and insane behavior, we see from Hamlet before the graveyard scene, as Hamlet sees all the skulls dug up by the graveyard, his wonder of how their lives must have been, shows that he still has an empathic and human part of him left in there somewhere.  Hamlet's attitude toward...

Act IV, Scene 1 1. What is Claudius' main fear in the immediate aftermath of Polonius' death? Claudius’s main fear after Polonius’s death is that the slander that will spread across the world about Hamlet’s madness and murder will ruin his reputation. He fears that Hamlet will grow to be even madder over time; and while he recognizes his life is at risk too, he is more afraid about the slander.  Act IV, Scene 2 1. What does Hamlet refuse to tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? Where he has hidden the body of Polonius. Act IV, Scene 3 1. What image does Hamlet use to warn Claudius he's only king temporarily? Upon being questioned by Claudius about the whereabouts of Polonius’s body, Hamlet wonders out loud that a man can catch a fish using a worm that has eaten the dead body of a king, and when Claudius asks what he means by that, he replies that: “ Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar.” (31) Giving him a clear...

Hamlet Act III Scenes 3 -4 Study Questions 1) What does Claudius plan to do with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Hamlet? He plans to “tame” Hamlet using Rosencrantz and Guildenstern; basically by spying on him when he’s away.  2) What is Polonius going to do while Hamlet speaks with his mother? He’s going to hide behind the curtain in Gertrude’s room to listen to what they’re saying and get stabbed by Hamlet. 3) List three important things about Claudius’ soliloquy. Claudius feels extremely guilty because of killing his brother.  Claudius thinks that is asking for forgiveness won’t work because he’s still reaping the benefits of his sin; having the kingdom in his control, and having married Gertrude.  Yet, realizing that he is in distress and still kneels down to pray since he knows he will be punished for his sin.  4) Why is it odd that Hamlet sees the king praying? Because he deemed Claudius to be below someone who prays.  ...