Act 4
Nemesis Foils Disease and Corruption Women Hamlet as Tragic Hero Appearance vs Reality
How does Gertrude respond to what Hamlet has told her? ( ) Does she believe Hamlet? What is Claudius’ #1 concern?
How are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern “sponges”? Rosencrantz: Take you me for a sponge, my lord? Hamlet: Ay, sir, that soaks up the King’s countenance,/his rewards, his authorities….When he needs what you have/ gleaned, it is but squeezing you and, sponge, you shall be dry again. ( )
Why can’t Claudius arrest Hamlet? ( ) Appearance vs Reality Imagery of disease “Diseases desperate grown/By desperate appliance are relieved/ Or not at all.” ( ) Threats, insults, and the Great Chain of Being ( ) “a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar” Imagery of disease: ( )
Foils: Let’s not forget about Fortinbras. Why does Hamlet find it significant that the land Fortinbras’ army fights for is worthless? “How all occasions do inform against me” ( ) Another soliloquy, this time inspired by Fortinbras. How convincing is it? Is it necessary?
Horatio: ‘Twere good she were spoken with, for she may strew/ Dangerous conjectures in ill breeding minds. Like what? What is she saying? Ophelia’s songs suggest she’s not just upset about her father’s death: “Tomorrow is Saint Valentine’s day” What do her songs suggest?
People are gossiping: “the people muddied,/Thick and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispers/For good Polonius’ death; and we have done but greenly/ In hugger-mugger to inter him.” ( )
Foils: “Laertes shall be king, Laertes king!” “That drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me bastard.” ( ) The language of flowers: who does Ophelia give the flowers to? Rosemary=remembrance Pansies=thoughts Fennel=flattery Rue=sorrow/repentance Daisy=infidelity Violet=faithfulness Claudius plans to use this to his advantage
When in doubt, add pirates (Deus ex machina) What do the letters contain?
A vs R: Claudius explains that Hamlet is popular and Gertrude loves him. That’s why he hasn’t arrested him. Is that true? ( ) Foils: Laertes will be patient as long as he gets to be the one to kill Hamlet. The plan: Fencing match, poisoned sword, and poisoned wine for good measure.
Foils: Claudius: …What would you undertake To show yourself in deed your father’s son More than in words? Laertes: To cut his throat in the church Irony Ophelia’s death: “Too much of water hast thou Ophelia”