Act 4 Scene 7 Flashcards
What is the setting of Act 4 Scene 7 in Hamlet?
The scene takes place in the castle of Elsinore.
Who are the main characters present in Act 4 Scene 7?
King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Laertes, and the messenger.
What news does the Queen bring to Claudius in this scene?
She informs Claudius about Ophelia’s tragic death.
True or False: Laertes is seeking revenge for Ophelia’s death.
True.
Fill in the blank: Claudius devises a plan to use a _____ against Hamlet.
poisoned sword.
What does Laertes accuse Claudius of in this scene?
He accuses Claudius of being partly responsible for Ophelia’s death.
What is Claudius’s relationship to Hamlet?
Claudius is Hamlet’s uncle and stepfather.
What does Claudius suggest to Laertes to ensure Hamlet’s death?
He suggests a fencing match with a poisoned sword.
Short answer: How does Laertes feel about Hamlet in this scene?
Laertes is furious and wants to avenge his sister’s death.
What does Gertrude say about Ophelia’s death?
She describes it as a drowning accident.
What does Laertes want to do in response to Ophelia’s death?
He wants to confront Hamlet and seek revenge.
True or False: Claudius is supportive of Laertes’s desire for revenge.
True.
What metaphor does Claudius use to describe the situation?
He compares Hamlet to a ‘foul disease’ that must be eliminated.
Multiple choice: What does Claudius offer to Laertes to aid in his revenge?
A poisoned cup of wine, a poisoned sword, or a letter to the King of England?
Fill in the blank: Laertes and Claudius plot to make Hamlet’s death look like an _____ incident.
accidental.
What does Laertes insist on doing during the fencing match?
He insists on using a sharpened, poisoned sword.
What does Claudius claim to want for Hamlet, despite plotting his death?
He claims to want to protect Hamlet’s reputation.
Short answer: How does the scene contribute to the theme of revenge?
It escalates the cycle of revenge and highlights the consequences of betrayal.
True or False: Ophelia’s death is treated as a tragedy by all characters in this scene.
False.
What does Claudius identify as a major threat to his throne?
Hamlet.
What action does Laertes take to demonstrate his anger?
He draws his sword in front of Claudius.
What does the Queen’s reaction to Ophelia’s death suggest about her character?
It suggests that she is emotionally affected and possibly regretful.
What literary device is prominent in Claudius’s speech about Hamlet?
Irony.
Short answer: How does Laertes’s character contrast with Hamlet’s?
Laertes is decisive and action-oriented, while Hamlet is contemplative and hesitant.
