1. Notes on Hamlet Act V Characters General information
Literary terms (comic relief, poetic justice, and tragic hero)
Quotes (5 total)
Themes

2. Characters in Hamlet Late King Hamlet (ghost) Gertrude Prince Hamlet
Claudius
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Laertes
Young Fortinbras
Osric
Yorick

3. General Information Hamlet
Five Act Structure: Purpose of Act V
The unraveling of complicated events
Tragedy (sad ending)-senseless death(s) occur where audience/reader learns from the actions of the characters in the play.
Comedy (happy ending)-a ceremony/celebration (ie. wedding) takes place to bring together primary characters.
Primary Setting:
Castle of Elsinore; Denmark
Time Period:
16th Century
How much time has gone by since the start of the play?
Six months

4. Act V Hamlet notes: Foil Character: Literary Terms: Aside Soliloquy
Definition: when a character reveals thoughts while other character’s are on stage; information is meant for the audience to hear, not the other characters present.
Soliloquy
Definition: when a character is alone on stage revealing his/her inner thoughts to the audience through a lengthy speech.
Foil Character:
Definition: A secondary character who parallels and contrasts a main character.

5. Act V Hamlet notes: Literary Terms: Comic Relief: Tragic Hero:
When a character lightens the mood or eases the tension created in previous Acts.
Gravedigger-
A. discussion about Ophelia’s death (self- defense)/riddles about gravedigger
B. talking to Hamlet about Hamlet unaware of whom he was talking to
Osric-
A. He is eager to please Hamlet; very agreeable
Tragic Hero:
A character who brings upon his/her downfall (death) due to a character flaw.

6. Act V Hamlet notes: Literary Terms: Irony: Dramatic Irony:
Definition: when something happens that is the opposite of what is meant or expected to happen.
Dramatic Irony:
Definition: When the audience or reader knows or perceives something other characters do not.
Poetic Justice:
When a character gets what he/she has coming to them due to harmful/deceitful acts against others.

7. Act V Hamlet notes:
Act IV Quotes ( 5 total) Hamlet: “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers/ Could not with all their quantity of love /Make up my sum.” Claudius: “An hour of quiet shortly shall we see; / Till then in patience our proceeding be.” (foreshadowing/ theme of revenge/ theme of deception) Hamlet: “I shall win at the odds. But thou /wouldst not think how ill all’s here about my heart./ But it is no matter. (foreshadowing)

8. Act V Hamlet notes:
Act IV Quotes (cont.): Laertes: “Why as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric. / I am justly killed with mine own treachery.” (irony/poetic justice) Horatio: “I am more an antique Roman than a Dane. / Here’s yet some liquor left.”

9. Act V Hamlet notes:
Explain how Hamlet discovered he was to be put to death upon arriving in England.
Explain how he planned to have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meet their fate.
How did Hamlet make this plan official?

10. Act V Hamlet notes:
Themes: Deception Corruption Revenge Appearance vs. Reality Loyalty