Act 4 Scene 5

Question 1

‘dangerous conjectures’

Answer 1

Ophelia poses a threat due to her madness but also because she knows about Hamlet killing Polonious

Question 2

‘pray you mark’

Answer 2

Repeated imperatives - juxtaposes her passive nature in ‘I shall obey’ - finally gets her voice heard when mad - her madness means she no longer has to obey gender restrictions

Question 3

‘larded with sweet flowers Which be wept to the grave did not go’

Answer 3

Referring to the death of her father- traditional ballad format - speed of Polonius’ funeral, cover up?

Question 4

‘pretty lady’

Answer 4

Depth of the patriarchy - reducing her down to her beauty in a state of vulnerability

Question 5

‘let in the maid that out a maid Never departed more’

Answer 5

Refers to her relationship with Hamlet - suggestion she was once a mid but is no longer (lost virginity)

Question 6

‘Poor Ophelia Divided from her herself and her fair judgement’

Answer 6

Belittles and dismisses Ophelia comments about the corruption of the royal court

Question 7

‘That drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me a bastard’

Answer 7

Highlighting how it is unnatural to act calm in the face of death

Question 8

‘I dare damnation’

Answer 8

Alliterative phrase shows Laertes being unafraid to act unlike Hamlet

Question 9

‘Let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged’

Answer 9

Laertes acts a foil to Hamlet - mirrored circumstances but L immediately takes action

Question 10

‘columbines’ ‘rue’ ‘violets, but they are withered all when my father died’

Answer 10

Ophelia is somewhat freed by her madness - comments on c as deceptive, their need to repent for their sins, and the corrupted nature of Denmark