Act 4 Scene 5 Flashcards
Laertes comes back, Ophelia is still crazy and L + C cut a deal
What do we learn from Ophelia from the Gentleman?
“There’s tricks i’th’ world, and hems, and beats her heart.” - in her dreams she speaks about her father
How does Ophelia speak about her father according to the gentleman?
“speaks things in doubt that carry but half sense, Her speech is nothing.” - it suggests that she doesn’t make sense and therefore, she’s mad.
What does the gentleman insinuate about Ophelia’s behaviour?
“Indeed would make one think there might be thought, though nothing sure, yet much unhappily” - think there might be a reason behind her speech. Perhaps Hamlet?
What does Horatio recommend Gertrude should do about Ophelia? What does this say about his character?
“‘Twere good she were spoken with, for she may strew dangerous conjectures in ill-breeding” - Gertrude should talk to Ophelia because she could make people suspicious. It shows how Horatio is thinking ahead.
What does Ophelia do that emphasises her insanity?
she “[sings]” about true love (“How should I your true love know from another one?”) and death (“He is dead and gone lady”).
What does Ophelia do to the queen and what does this show?
She interrupts the queen (“Nay but Ophelia-“) - it shows how she’s not aware of what she’s doing because she’s forgotten formalities and manners.
How can we infer that Hamlet and Ophelia have slept together?
“Let in the maid, that out a maid never departed more.”
“Young men will do’t if they come to’t, By Cock, they are to blame… before you tumbled me, you promised me to wed.”
What does the king think Ophelia’s madness is a result of?
“Conceit upon her father “
“O this is the poison of deep grief, it springs all from her father’s death.”
From what does Claudius deduce that Ophelia is mad because of the grief of her father’s death?
“I cannot choose but weep to think they should law him i’th’ cold ground. My brother shall know of it.”
How is the tension built in the scene?
“Her brother is in secret come from france”
What is Claudius thinking Laertes will do when he arrives?
“wants not buzzers to infect his ear with pestilent speeches of his father’s death… this like to a murdering-piece in many places gives me superfluous death.”
What do we learn about the opinions of the Danish people?
“The rabble call him lord… they cry ‘choose we! Leartes shall be king’”
What does learn about Laertes’ emotional state?
“The ocean overpeering of his list”
What is the dramatic effect of this scene?
“The doors are broke. [noise within] [enter Laertes and other Danes, armed]”
How does Laertes contrast Hamlet’s procrastination?
“That drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me bastard” - Laertes says that he would betray his father if he were to stay calm. This contrasts how Hamlet isn’t really that mad.
What does Claudius say about kingship? Why is this ironic?
“There’s such a divinity doth hedge a king, that treason can but peep to what it would, acts little of his will” - Kingship is so protected by its divine nature that treason can’t affect it nearly as much as people intend it to. It’s ironic because Claudius actually has no right to kingship.
How can we tell that Claudius is good at dealing with people?
“Let him go Gertrude, do not fear our person” - He talks calmly to Laertes and about Laertes.
How is Laertes a ‘better’ son than Hamlet? What does he claim he will do?
“To this point I stand, that both worlds I give to negligence, Let come what comes, only I’ll be revenged most throughly for my father”
“And for my means, I’ll husband them so well, they shall go far with little”
How does Claudius manipulate Laertes into telling him that he will kill anyone?
“you will draw both friend and foe, winner and loser?”
How is Laertes portrayed as courageous and possibly slightly foolhardy?
“To his good friends thus wide I’ll ope my arms, and like the kind life-rendering pelican, repast them with my blood.
How does Claudius react to Laertes initiative to take revenge? What does this foreshadow? How does this reflect Claudius’ character?
“Like a good child, and a true gentleman. That I am guiltless of your father’s death, and am most sensibly in grief for it” - he says it’s good for Laertes to be taking this initiative and this is ironic because Hamlet should be doing this same. Claudius is also avoiding any responsibility over his father’s death.
How does Opehlia make Laertes want to take revenge even more?
“O heat, dry up my brains, tear seven times salt burn out the sense and virtue of mine eye. By heaven, thy madness shall be paid with weight, till our scale turn the beam.”
What flowers does Ophelia hand out to Claudius and Gertrude and why?
“There’s fennel for you, and columbines” - flattery and infidelity in marriage
What flowers does Ophelia hand to Laertes and to herself?
“There’s rue for you, and here’s some for me” - repentence and regret (to rue)
