1. Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene?
2. Ask questions about the scene. Has anything in the scene caused you confusion? OR Ask one of the characters in the scene a question -- or ask ME a question.
3. Quote lines from the scene that you enjoyed and comment on them.
4. Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene.
5. Talk about the relationships characters have to one another, quoting specific words or phrases to give evidence for your opinion.
6. Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters. Get inside that character’s mind. Tell how the character feels about herself, about other characters, about the situation of the scene.
7. At least twice, do an entry that is not writing. Draw a picture. Create a collage of characters. Draw what you think the stage should look like in a modern day production. Film yourself performing part of the scene. Create a soundtrack to the scene. Other?
Act 5 Scene 2
Hamlet tells Horatio how he stole Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's letter and replaced it with a letter he himself wrote disguised as Claudius ordering England to have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern killed. Orisc then enters and tells Hamlet that Claudius wants Hamlet to have a fencing duel with Laertes and that Claudius bet on Hamlet. Hamlet accepts the offer. Right before the match, Hamlet tells Laertes that he's sorry and that it was his madness that caused the murder. Laertes says he will not accept his apology but will accept his love. The duel starts, and during the match, Gertrude drinks the poisoned drink. Laertes stabs Hamlet with the sharpened sword with poison at the end, and the swords get switched, and Hamlet stabs Laertes. Gertrude, right before she dies, tells Hamlet that the drink was poisoned, and Hamlet forces the drink on Claudius. Laertes dies, and Hamlet makes Horatio promise him that he will tell the truth to everyone and he also dies. At the end of the play, Gerturde, Claudius, Laertes, and Hamlet have all been killed, and through the dialogue, we know that Fortinbras is most likely the next ruler of Denmark.
QUESTIONS
1. Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene?
The significance of this scene is that the tragedy is finalized. This scene obviously shows the conclusion and the result of everything that had happened throughout the play. Without the scene, the play would obviously not be a tragedy since Claudius, Laertes, Hamlet, and Gertrude, the four of the major characters would still be alive and nothing would be resolved. (As long Claudius and Hamlet are both alive, the plot would not be resolved)
4. Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene.
I really like the idea of fate in this scene. Fate is mentioned when Hamlet decides to just give up on his "plan" and act on impulse and let fate guide the conclusion. "Not a whit. We defy augury. There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come. Let be," Hamlet says. Before, I did not think that the tragedy of Hamlet was fate. Everything was very much planned and everything was made by each character's decisions and choice. Claudius had planned his murder of the old king. Hamlet was planning on the revenge. Laertes was also planning on a revenge on Hamlet. Everything was planned. And nothing was resolved. But when Hamlet finally decides to stop planning and leave the results to fate and in God's hands, finally, a conclusion is made: Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, and Hamlet all die. I was surprised by this idea and I thought it was interesting.
7. At least twice, do an entry that is not writing. Draw a picture. Create a collage of characters. Draw what you think the stage should look like in a modern day production. Film yourself performing part of the scene. Create a soundtrack to the scene. Other?
Weapons backfire...
Act 5 Scene 1
Two gravediggers are digging a grave for Ophelia. They discuss why Ophelia is getting a proper funeral when she had committed the sin of committing a suicide. They determine that she is a noblewoman and that's why she's getting a proper funeral that she doesn't deserve. Hamlet and Horatio are watching the grave from far away. Hamlet makes an observation that everyone is powerless when they are dead and that even powerful men like Alexander the Great has to face death. Hamlet sees a skull that belongs to Yorick. He is very sad about it because Yorick was the king's jester and also kind of a nanny to Hamlet.
Ophelia's funeral procession is being carried out, and Hamlet realizing that Ophelia has died jumps into the grave. Laertes jumps in too and they fight. Hamlet claims no one loved Ophelia as much as he did and challenges Laertes' devotion to Ophelia asking "what wilt thou do for her." After the fight is broken off and Hamlet leaves, Claudius tells Laertes to be patient.
QUESTIONS
1. Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene?
The significance of this scene is that it shows Hamlet's feelings for Ophelia and the start of the conflict between Hamlet and Laertes. Without the scene, we would never be able to determine if Hamlet actually did love Ophelia or not. Also, we would not know Hamlet's age which is revealed int his scene as 23. And we would not be able to know what the common people think about the noblemen and women.
5. Talk about the relationships characters have to one another, quoting specific words or phrases to give evidence for your opinion.
Yorick, who was the king's jester seems to have had the role of a nanny to Hamlet. Hamlet, when he's looking at the skull says "He carried me on his back a thousand times, and now—how terrible—this is him. It makes my stomach turn. I don’t know how many times I kissed the lips that used to be right here." We can figure out that they were very close. This scene also focuses on the relationship between Hamlet and Laertes. They are now complete enemies. Before, Laertes hated Hamlet for killing Polonius, but we do not know whether Hamlet hates Laertes. But now, we see that Hamlet also despises Laertes as we can see when he Hamlet yells "I’ll fight him over this issue till I don’t have the strength to blink."
6. Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters. Get inside that character’s mind. Tell how the character feels about herself, about other characters, about the situation of the scene.
Hamlet's diary.
How can this be? Fair Ophelia? Dead? I got into a fight with that bastard Laertes. His grief over Ophelia will never equal mine. I know I am to blame for a part of their grief since I killed their father, but that was only an accident. And the man was a fool anyway. Ophelia! What has caused you so much pain that you had to die? Was it me? Was it my refusal to your love that drove you to this consequence? I'm sorrowful for this outcome, but I have a mission to accomplish. A revenge to carry about. I need to move on... and concentrate on what's really important.
Act 4 Scene 1~Scene 7
Act 4 Scene 1
Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet is completely insane and that he had killed Polonius. Claudius frantically tries to figure out what to do. He decides to send Hamlet to England immediately and to explain to the people and the court of Hamlet's misdeed.
Act 4 Scene 2
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask Hamlet where he hid the body. Hamlet who just finished getting rid of the corpse refuses to tell them. Hamlet expresses his thought that he thnks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are on Claudius' side. Hamlet goes with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to see Claudius
Act 4 Scene 3
Claudius tells people of his plan to send Hamlet to Engalnd. When Hamlet enters, Claudius asks him about the whereabouts of Polonius's body. Hamlet first tells him that he is at supper. Then he tells him that he is in heaven. And finally, he tells Claudius that his body is disposed under the stairs. Hamlet agrees to be sent to England. Claudius talks to himself after Hamlet leaves, and his rant, readers figure out that he is planning to have Hamlet killed in England.
Act 4 Scene 4
Fortinbras orders the captain to get permission from Claudius to travel through the land of Denmark with his army.
Act 4 Scene 5
Ophelia enters to see Gertrude with flowers on her head. She sings ambiguous songs in which she talks about how men's cocks are to blame and that they promised to wed her before he took her virginity but afterwards, she was refused. She also laments Polonius' death in her songs. Claudius enters in the middle of the song and judge's Ophelia's insanity to have been caused by shock from Polonius' death. Claudius says Laertes had come back from France.
Laertes enters angrily upset about Polonius' death death and Ophelia's insanity, and Claudius convinces him to listen to his explanation and explains that none of it was Claudius' fault. Laertes expresses his desire to carry out a revenge on whoever was the cause of Polonius' eath.
Act 4 Scene 6
Horatio gets a letter from Hamlet. Hamlet explains int he letter that he has been caputred by the pirates, and Hamlet asks Hamlet to take the sailors along with some messages to Claudius. Hamlet also says that he has "much to tell" of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Act 4 Scene 7
Claudius turns Laertes against Hamlet telling him everything was Hamlet's fault. When a messenger enters with a letter that says Hamlet will return tomorrow, Laertes is happy that his revenge will be able to be carried out soon. Claudius agrees with the revenge and tells him to challenge him to a duel and to sharpen and put poison on the sword to kill Hamlet. Gertrude enters announcing that Ophelia drowned herself. Laertes leaves very upset and angry.
QUESTIONS
1. Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene?
Act 4 Scene 6
This scene is significant because it brings Hamlet back to Denmark from England. It also shows that Horatio is the only one Hamlet trusts. Without the scene, Hamlet would be stuck in England and the rest of the play would be meaningless. :)
4. Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene.
I was so surprised that Laertes would be so quick to believe Claudius. It is true that Hamlet did kill Polonius so Claudius did not really lie to Laertes about what was the cause of Polonius' death, but Laertes still believed everything Claudius told him. I think Laertes would have suspected something when Claudius is so eager to help Laertes kill Hamlet and that Claudius supports his revenge so much, but Laertes, blinded by shock about his father's death and his rage at Hamlet, is ignorant of these minor details. I just thought Laertes should have been able to tell at least a little how manipulative Claudius is being.
7. At least twice, do an entry that is not writing. Draw a picture. Create a collage of characters. Draw what you think the stage should look like in a modern day production. Film yourself performing part of the scene. Create a soundtrack to the scene. Other?
Ophelia's insanity caused by Hamlet or Polonius?
Act 3 Scene 1~Scene 2
Act 3 Scene 1
Claudius and Polonius hide and watch Ophelia and Hamlet's confrontation. When Ophelia tries to return the letters, Hamlet becomes angry. He gives her a contradictory claim that he loved her once and that he never loved her at all. He criticizes women for painting their faces to make themselves more beautiful than they actually are and then he criticizes marriages (showing his anger at Gertrude and Claudius's marriage). He tells Ophelia to go to the nunnery. After watching the confrontation, Claudius decides that Hamlet's insanity does not stem from love and that he needs to be sent to England because he is dangerous.
Act 3 Scene 2
Right before the pray, Hamlet tells Horatio to watch Claudius's reaction carefully. Hamlet tells Horatio that he likes him for his self-control and he tells the actors to be act as natural as possible. The play is about a nephew who kills the king who killed the last king by pouring poison in his ear. Claudius gets upset and leaves, and Hamlet decides that the ghost was speaking the truth. Polonius tells Hamlet that he is wanted in Gertrude's chamber, and Hamlet forms resolve to be as cruel as possible, but only with words.
QUESTIONS
2. Ask questions about the scene. Has anything in the scene caused you confusion? OR Ask one of the characters in the scene a question -- or ask ME a question.
Ophelia, why do you always do what Polonius and Laertes tell you to do? If you really love Hamlet, you should stick with Hamlet no matter what Polonius tells you to do. Are you ever able to make up your own mind? Were all women controlled that way by the men during your time? What was YOUR intention by giving back Hamlet's letters to him. Were you testing his love? Or were you really refusing Hamlet's love?
3. Quote lines from the scene that you enjoyed and comment on them.
"I have heard of your paintings too, well enough. God has given you one face and you make yourselves another." ~ Hamlet
This well explains Hamlet's hurt by everyone lying to him. Claudius is the biggest and a manipulative liar since he's lying to everyone including people of Denmark about killing his own brother. Gertrude is lying because she betrayed the last king and therefore their love. Ophelia lied to Hamlet about Polonius' whereabouts during the nunnery scene. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sent for by Claudius and Gertrude. They did not come to Hamlet because they were really concerned about him. Hamlet's frustrated and angry by all the lies. While this quote could be interpreted as "You cover your face that god has given you with makeup", it could also simply mean "You are a liar."
6. Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters. Get inside that character’s mind. Tell how the character feels about herself, about other characters, about the situation of the scene.
Claudius' diary.
Hamlet knows. What do I do? What do I do? That play... it was so intentional! Is Hamlet planning to kill me? Is this where his insanity came from? How does he know? I need to do something about this... I was already planning to send him to England, but will that be good enough? If I tell Hamlet to go to England, wouldn't it just make him more quick on his revenge? I'm grave... I'll wait until Hamlet talks to Gertrude before I make any decisions..
We viewed 3 different nunnery scenes.
Mood: The first one and the third one had dark and gloomy tones. The second one definitely had the brightest setting which makes sense because the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia in the second one looked the most intimate and romantic.
Hamlet: The first one's Hamlet is closest to what I interpreted him to be. Especially in the Polonius/Hamlet scene, I was so surprised because it was so similar to Courteney and mine's acting interpretation of that scene. In the nunnery scene in the first one, we can see clearly that Hamlet speaks with motives and that he often speaks with alternative meaning behind it. His attitude towards Ophelia showed that to Hamlet, Ophelia does not mean that much. She is a way to express his feelings towards Claudius and Polonius. (He later yells in to the air (meant towards Claudius/Polonius) In the second one, Hamlet seems like he really is in love with Ophelia, and he starts getting violent towards her when she rejects him by giving him back the letters and when he finds out Ophelia personally betrayed him. In the third one, Hamlet seems very mad. The way he treated Ophelia (throwing her to the ground and hugging her next) seems very fickle and crazy.
Ophelia: In the first one and the second one, Ophelia seemed like they had brains, but in the third one, she looked dumb. The way she threw herself at Hamlet and started kissing him made her look crazy.
Hamlet and Ophelia's relationship: First one - there was some distance between Hamlet and Ophelia, Second one - Hamlet and Ophelia actually seem to love each other, and third one: they seem crazy.
When Hamlet finds out about Polonius and Claudius: 1) He knows from the very beginning, 2) He finds out in the middle, and 3) He never knows.
In the first one, Hamlet is more subtle about the fact that he knows about Polonius and Claudius. In the second one, he actually physically starts looking around to find Polonius and Claudius
In the first movie, the social level between Polonius/Ophelia and Hamlet/Claudius is more obvious. In the second one, it is less obvious. Polonius and Claudius are dressed similiar, and Ophelia's dress makes it seem like she is in similar class as Hamlet
Act 1 Scene 3~Scene 5, Act 2 Scene 1~Scene2
Act 1 Scene 3
Laertes is about to leave to France. He makes Ophelia promise him that she will keep in touch, and then gives her an advice about Hamlet before he leaves. Laertes warns her that Hamlet's love for her is only temporary and that his duties might make him not care for her. After Laertes leaves, their father, Polonius enters and he tells Ophelia that she is too young and naive to understand love, and he forbids her to talk to Hamlet.
Act 1 Scene 4
Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus go to see the ghost. They discuss how the loud parties at Denmark are one big flaw about the glorious country. Then the ghost enters and beckons Hamlet to follow him. Marcellus and Horatio tell him not to go, but Hamlet goes anyway, so Marcellus and Horatio decide to follow Hamlet to watch over him.
Act 1 Scene 5
Ghost reveals to Hamlet that the uncle killed him and not a poisonous snake. The uncle even stole the queen away from the king. And for this, the Ghost (which is the ghost of the king, indeed) asks to Hamlet to revenge. Hamlet promises he will. Hamlet tells Horatio and Marcellus not to speak of the event that happened to night and to promise to keep it a secret what they have seen.
Act 2 Scene 1
Polonius orders Reynaldo go to France and to ask people about Laertes to find out if he is doing anything dishonorable such as gambling or fighting, etc... ... Ophelia then enters telling Polonius that Hamlet grabbed her wrist and acted wild and crazy, and Polonius decides to tell about his matter to the King so that there's no secret.
Act 2 Scene 2
Claudius invited two of Hamlet's friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in hopes of finding out what is truly wrong with Hamlet other than the grief over his father's death. After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave to see Hamlet, Polonius enters informing Claudius that the ambassadors had returned from Norway. Voltemand and Cornelius inform that when the king of Norway found out about his nephew Fortinbras' plan of attacking Denmark, the king immediately put a stop to it. After Voltemand and Cornelius leave, Polonius informs Claudius about Hamlet and his crazy behavior. Polonius reads the letter Hamlet wrote to Ophelia and that Hamlet had gone crazy because Ophelia took the "fruits of his advice" and "locked herself from his resort" They decide to check the truth of Polonius' words and devise a plan. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern then enter to talk to Hamlet. Hamlet talks about how Denmark's a prison and asks them if they were sent for, and they answer yes. Polonius announces the arrival of the actors who were sent to entertain HAmlet, and Hamlet makes a plan to make them perform a play that is similar to the uncle's murder of the king. Hamlet hopes that Claudius will show some sign of guilt when watching the play and that he'll get definite proof that way.
QUESTIONS
1. Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters. Get inside that character’s mind. Tell how the character feels about herself, about other characters, about the situation of the scene.
Today, I met my father. I know, I know. It's impossible with my father dead and all. But I did see him. He sought for me many nights and finally we met face-to-face once again, and he told me something very shocking. Very shocking indeed! But I think I always knew... that the cause of the murder of my father is my own uncle! I knew there was something off about him. The way he made my mother fall for him so quickly after my father's death. The way he manipulated everyone into thinking that he was a good man. My mother, who fell to be a victim of my uncle... she's also a villain. But I must keep my promise to my father and leave her alone. My revenge will be done! My uncle will fall.. I owe that to my father, myself, and whole Denmark.
2. Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene.
I found the characters of Marcellus and Horatio to be very loyal and protective. The way they tried to stop Hamlet from the following the ghost because they feared Hamlet being in danger was very thoughtful. It would be interesting to see if their loyalty and their pledge to keep the secret will last throughout the whole play. Or if they'll be manipulated by Claudius like the queen was.
3. Ask questions about the scene. Has anything in the scene caused you confusion? OR Ask one of the characters in the scene a question -- or ask ME a question.
Ghost, I think we all know by now the reason you roamed about the tower every night. You wanted to talk to Hamlet and tell him what really happened to you. And you wanted Hamlet to seek revenge for you. But is that really the only reason you told Hamlet about the truth? Revenge? Or Does your duty as a king still remain in you and you fear the future of Denmark? Do you perhaps think that Claudius will be a danger to Denmark? Maybe his evil will do wrong to more than you and Hamlet?
1. Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene?
2. Ask questions about the scene. Has anything in the scene caused you confusion? OR Ask one of the characters in the scene a question -- or ask ME a question.
3. Quote lines from the scene that you enjoyed and comment on them.
4. Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene.
5. Talk about the relationships characters have to one another, quoting specific words or phrases to give evidence for your opinion.
6. Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters. Get inside that character’s mind. Tell how the character feels about herself, about other characters, about the situation of the scene.
7. At least twice, do an entry that is not writing. Draw a picture. Create a collage of characters. Draw what you think the stage should look like in a modern day production. Film yourself performing part of the scene. Create a soundtrack to the scene. Other?
Act 5 Scene 2
Hamlet tells Horatio how he stole Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's letter and replaced it with a letter he himself wrote disguised as Claudius ordering England to have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern killed. Orisc then enters and tells Hamlet that Claudius wants Hamlet to have a fencing duel with Laertes and that Claudius bet on Hamlet. Hamlet accepts the offer. Right before the match, Hamlet tells Laertes that he's sorry and that it was his madness that caused the murder. Laertes says he will not accept his apology but will accept his love. The duel starts, and during the match, Gertrude drinks the poisoned drink. Laertes stabs Hamlet with the sharpened sword with poison at the end, and the swords get switched, and Hamlet stabs Laertes. Gertrude, right before she dies, tells Hamlet that the drink was poisoned, and Hamlet forces the drink on Claudius. Laertes dies, and Hamlet makes Horatio promise him that he will tell the truth to everyone and he also dies. At the end of the play, Gerturde, Claudius, Laertes, and Hamlet have all been killed, and through the dialogue, we know that Fortinbras is most likely the next ruler of Denmark.
QUESTIONS
1. Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene?
The significance of this scene is that the tragedy is finalized. This scene obviously shows the conclusion and the result of everything that had happened throughout the play. Without the scene, the play would obviously not be a tragedy since Claudius, Laertes, Hamlet, and Gertrude, the four of the major characters would still be alive and nothing would be resolved. (As long Claudius and Hamlet are both alive, the plot would not be resolved)
4. Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene.
I really like the idea of fate in this scene. Fate is mentioned when Hamlet decides to just give up on his "plan" and act on impulse and let fate guide the conclusion. "Not a whit. We defy augury. There’s a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come. Let be," Hamlet says. Before, I did not think that the tragedy of Hamlet was fate. Everything was very much planned and everything was made by each character's decisions and choice. Claudius had planned his murder of the old king. Hamlet was planning on the revenge. Laertes was also planning on a revenge on Hamlet. Everything was planned. And nothing was resolved. But when Hamlet finally decides to stop planning and leave the results to fate and in God's hands, finally, a conclusion is made: Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, and Hamlet all die. I was surprised by this idea and I thought it was interesting.
7. At least twice, do an entry that is not writing. Draw a picture. Create a collage of characters. Draw what you think the stage should look like in a modern day production. Film yourself performing part of the scene. Create a soundtrack to the scene. Other?
Weapons backfire...
Act 5 Scene 1
Two gravediggers are digging a grave for Ophelia. They discuss why Ophelia is getting a proper funeral when she had committed the sin of committing a suicide. They determine that she is a noblewoman and that's why she's getting a proper funeral that she doesn't deserve. Hamlet and Horatio are watching the grave from far away. Hamlet makes an observation that everyone is powerless when they are dead and that even powerful men like Alexander the Great has to face death. Hamlet sees a skull that belongs to Yorick. He is very sad about it because Yorick was the king's jester and also kind of a nanny to Hamlet.
Ophelia's funeral procession is being carried out, and Hamlet realizing that Ophelia has died jumps into the grave. Laertes jumps in too and they fight. Hamlet claims no one loved Ophelia as much as he did and challenges Laertes' devotion to Ophelia asking "what wilt thou do for her." After the fight is broken off and Hamlet leaves, Claudius tells Laertes to be patient.
QUESTIONS
1. Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene?
The significance of this scene is that it shows Hamlet's feelings for Ophelia and the start of the conflict between Hamlet and Laertes. Without the scene, we would never be able to determine if Hamlet actually did love Ophelia or not. Also, we would not know Hamlet's age which is revealed int his scene as 23. And we would not be able to know what the common people think about the noblemen and women.
5. Talk about the relationships characters have to one another, quoting specific words or phrases to give evidence for your opinion.
Yorick, who was the king's jester seems to have had the role of a nanny to Hamlet. Hamlet, when he's looking at the skull says "He carried me on his back a thousand times, and now—how terrible—this is him. It makes my stomach turn. I don’t know how many times I kissed the lips that used to be right here." We can figure out that they were very close. This scene also focuses on the relationship between Hamlet and Laertes. They are now complete enemies. Before, Laertes hated Hamlet for killing Polonius, but we do not know whether Hamlet hates Laertes. But now, we see that Hamlet also despises Laertes as we can see when he Hamlet yells "I’ll fight him over this issue till I don’t have the strength to blink."
6. Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters. Get inside that character’s mind. Tell how the character feels about herself, about other characters, about the situation of the scene.
Hamlet's diary.
How can this be? Fair Ophelia? Dead? I got into a fight with that bastard Laertes. His grief over Ophelia will never equal mine. I know I am to blame for a part of their grief since I killed their father, but that was only an accident. And the man was a fool anyway. Ophelia! What has caused you so much pain that you had to die? Was it me? Was it my refusal to your love that drove you to this consequence? I'm sorrowful for this outcome, but I have a mission to accomplish. A revenge to carry about. I need to move on... and concentrate on what's really important.
Act 4 Scene 1~Scene 7
Act 4 Scene 1
Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet is completely insane and that he had killed Polonius. Claudius frantically tries to figure out what to do. He decides to send Hamlet to England immediately and to explain to the people and the court of Hamlet's misdeed.
Act 4 Scene 2
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern ask Hamlet where he hid the body. Hamlet who just finished getting rid of the corpse refuses to tell them. Hamlet expresses his thought that he thnks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are on Claudius' side. Hamlet goes with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to see Claudius
Act 4 Scene 3
Claudius tells people of his plan to send Hamlet to Engalnd. When Hamlet enters, Claudius asks him about the whereabouts of Polonius's body. Hamlet first tells him that he is at supper. Then he tells him that he is in heaven. And finally, he tells Claudius that his body is disposed under the stairs. Hamlet agrees to be sent to England. Claudius talks to himself after Hamlet leaves, and his rant, readers figure out that he is planning to have Hamlet killed in England.
Act 4 Scene 4
Fortinbras orders the captain to get permission from Claudius to travel through the land of Denmark with his army.
Act 4 Scene 5
Ophelia enters to see Gertrude with flowers on her head. She sings ambiguous songs in which she talks about how men's cocks are to blame and that they promised to wed her before he took her virginity but afterwards, she was refused. She also laments Polonius' death in her songs. Claudius enters in the middle of the song and judge's Ophelia's insanity to have been caused by shock from Polonius' death. Claudius says Laertes had come back from France.
Laertes enters angrily upset about Polonius' death death and Ophelia's insanity, and Claudius convinces him to listen to his explanation and explains that none of it was Claudius' fault. Laertes expresses his desire to carry out a revenge on whoever was the cause of Polonius' eath.
Act 4 Scene 6
Horatio gets a letter from Hamlet. Hamlet explains int he letter that he has been caputred by the pirates, and Hamlet asks Hamlet to take the sailors along with some messages to Claudius. Hamlet also says that he has "much to tell" of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Act 4 Scene 7
Claudius turns Laertes against Hamlet telling him everything was Hamlet's fault. When a messenger enters with a letter that says Hamlet will return tomorrow, Laertes is happy that his revenge will be able to be carried out soon. Claudius agrees with the revenge and tells him to challenge him to a duel and to sharpen and put poison on the sword to kill Hamlet. Gertrude enters announcing that Ophelia drowned herself. Laertes leaves very upset and angry.
QUESTIONS
1. Comment in one sentence on what you think is the significance of this scene. Then what would the play be like without the scene?
Act 4 Scene 6
This scene is significant because it brings Hamlet back to Denmark from England. It also shows that Horatio is the only one Hamlet trusts. Without the scene, Hamlet would be stuck in England and the rest of the play would be meaningless. :)
4. Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene.
I was so surprised that Laertes would be so quick to believe Claudius. It is true that Hamlet did kill Polonius so Claudius did not really lie to Laertes about what was the cause of Polonius' death, but Laertes still believed everything Claudius told him. I think Laertes would have suspected something when Claudius is so eager to help Laertes kill Hamlet and that Claudius supports his revenge so much, but Laertes, blinded by shock about his father's death and his rage at Hamlet, is ignorant of these minor details. I just thought Laertes should have been able to tell at least a little how manipulative Claudius is being.
7. At least twice, do an entry that is not writing. Draw a picture. Create a collage of characters. Draw what you think the stage should look like in a modern day production. Film yourself performing part of the scene. Create a soundtrack to the scene. Other?
Ophelia's insanity caused by Hamlet or Polonius?Act 3 Scene 1~Scene 2
Act 3 Scene 1
Claudius and Polonius hide and watch Ophelia and Hamlet's confrontation. When Ophelia tries to return the letters, Hamlet becomes angry. He gives her a contradictory claim that he loved her once and that he never loved her at all. He criticizes women for painting their faces to make themselves more beautiful than they actually are and then he criticizes marriages (showing his anger at Gertrude and Claudius's marriage). He tells Ophelia to go to the nunnery. After watching the confrontation, Claudius decides that Hamlet's insanity does not stem from love and that he needs to be sent to England because he is dangerous.
Act 3 Scene 2
Right before the pray, Hamlet tells Horatio to watch Claudius's reaction carefully. Hamlet tells Horatio that he likes him for his self-control and he tells the actors to be act as natural as possible. The play is about a nephew who kills the king who killed the last king by pouring poison in his ear. Claudius gets upset and leaves, and Hamlet decides that the ghost was speaking the truth. Polonius tells Hamlet that he is wanted in Gertrude's chamber, and Hamlet forms resolve to be as cruel as possible, but only with words.
QUESTIONS
2. Ask questions about the scene. Has anything in the scene caused you confusion? OR Ask one of the characters in the scene a question -- or ask ME a question.
Ophelia, why do you always do what Polonius and Laertes tell you to do? If you really love Hamlet, you should stick with Hamlet no matter what Polonius tells you to do. Are you ever able to make up your own mind? Were all women controlled that way by the men during your time? What was YOUR intention by giving back Hamlet's letters to him. Were you testing his love? Or were you really refusing Hamlet's love?
3. Quote lines from the scene that you enjoyed and comment on them.
"I have heard of your paintings too, well enough. God has given you one face and you make yourselves another." ~ Hamlet
This well explains Hamlet's hurt by everyone lying to him. Claudius is the biggest and a manipulative liar since he's lying to everyone including people of Denmark about killing his own brother. Gertrude is lying because she betrayed the last king and therefore their love. Ophelia lied to Hamlet about Polonius' whereabouts during the nunnery scene. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sent for by Claudius and Gertrude. They did not come to Hamlet because they were really concerned about him. Hamlet's frustrated and angry by all the lies. While this quote could be interpreted as "You cover your face that god has given you with makeup", it could also simply mean "You are a liar."
6. Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters. Get inside that character’s mind. Tell how the character feels about herself, about other characters, about the situation of the scene.
Claudius' diary.
Hamlet knows. What do I do? What do I do? That play... it was so intentional! Is Hamlet planning to kill me? Is this where his insanity came from? How does he know? I need to do something about this... I was already planning to send him to England, but will that be good enough? If I tell Hamlet to go to England, wouldn't it just make him more quick on his revenge? I'm grave... I'll wait until Hamlet talks to Gertrude before I make any decisions..
We viewed 3 different nunnery scenes.
Act 1 Scene 3~Scene 5, Act 2 Scene 1~Scene2
Act 1 Scene 3
Laertes is about to leave to France. He makes Ophelia promise him that she will keep in touch, and then gives her an advice about Hamlet before he leaves. Laertes warns her that Hamlet's love for her is only temporary and that his duties might make him not care for her. After Laertes leaves, their father, Polonius enters and he tells Ophelia that she is too young and naive to understand love, and he forbids her to talk to Hamlet.
Act 1 Scene 4
Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus go to see the ghost. They discuss how the loud parties at Denmark are one big flaw about the glorious country. Then the ghost enters and beckons Hamlet to follow him. Marcellus and Horatio tell him not to go, but Hamlet goes anyway, so Marcellus and Horatio decide to follow Hamlet to watch over him.
Act 1 Scene 5
Ghost reveals to Hamlet that the uncle killed him and not a poisonous snake. The uncle even stole the queen away from the king. And for this, the Ghost (which is the ghost of the king, indeed) asks to Hamlet to revenge. Hamlet promises he will. Hamlet tells Horatio and Marcellus not to speak of the event that happened to night and to promise to keep it a secret what they have seen.
Act 2 Scene 1
Polonius orders Reynaldo go to France and to ask people about Laertes to find out if he is doing anything dishonorable such as gambling or fighting, etc... ... Ophelia then enters telling Polonius that Hamlet grabbed her wrist and acted wild and crazy, and Polonius decides to tell about his matter to the King so that there's no secret.
Act 2 Scene 2
Claudius invited two of Hamlet's friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in hopes of finding out what is truly wrong with Hamlet other than the grief over his father's death. After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave to see Hamlet, Polonius enters informing Claudius that the ambassadors had returned from Norway. Voltemand and Cornelius inform that when the king of Norway found out about his nephew Fortinbras' plan of attacking Denmark, the king immediately put a stop to it. After Voltemand and Cornelius leave, Polonius informs Claudius about Hamlet and his crazy behavior. Polonius reads the letter Hamlet wrote to Ophelia and that Hamlet had gone crazy because Ophelia took the "fruits of his advice" and "locked herself from his resort" They decide to check the truth of Polonius' words and devise a plan. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern then enter to talk to Hamlet. Hamlet talks about how Denmark's a prison and asks them if they were sent for, and they answer yes. Polonius announces the arrival of the actors who were sent to entertain HAmlet, and Hamlet makes a plan to make them perform a play that is similar to the uncle's murder of the king. Hamlet hopes that Claudius will show some sign of guilt when watching the play and that he'll get definite proof that way.
QUESTIONS
1. Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the characters. Get inside that character’s mind. Tell how the character feels about herself, about other characters, about the situation of the scene.
Today, I met my father. I know, I know. It's impossible with my father dead and all. But I did see him. He sought for me many nights and finally we met face-to-face once again, and he told me something very shocking. Very shocking indeed! But I think I always knew... that the cause of the murder of my father is my own uncle! I knew there was something off about him. The way he made my mother fall for him so quickly after my father's death. The way he manipulated everyone into thinking that he was a good man. My mother, who fell to be a victim of my uncle... she's also a villain. But I must keep my promise to my father and leave her alone. My revenge will be done! My uncle will fall.. I owe that to my father, myself, and whole Denmark.
2. Describe your reactions to a character, action, or idea you confronted in the scene.
I found the characters of Marcellus and Horatio to be very loyal and protective. The way they tried to stop Hamlet from the following the ghost because they feared Hamlet being in danger was very thoughtful. It would be interesting to see if their loyalty and their pledge to keep the secret will last throughout the whole play. Or if they'll be manipulated by Claudius like the queen was.
3. Ask questions about the scene. Has anything in the scene caused you confusion? OR Ask one of the characters in the scene a question -- or ask ME a question.
Ghost, I think we all know by now the reason you roamed about the tower every night. You wanted to talk to Hamlet and tell him what really happened to you. And you wanted Hamlet to seek revenge for you. But is that really the only reason you told Hamlet about the truth? Revenge? Or Does your duty as a king still remain in you and you fear the future of Denmark? Do you perhaps think that Claudius will be a danger to Denmark? Maybe his evil will do wrong to more than you and Hamlet?
Act 1 Scene 1~Scene 2
QUESTIONS