Act 4 Scene 7 Flashcards
Plan to kill Hamlet and Ophelia dies
How does Claudius emphasise to Laertes that Hamlet is evil and trying to kill him?
“He which hath your noble father slain pursued my life”
What does Claudius claim are the two reasons for him not doing anything about Hamlet wanting to kill him?
- “The Queen his mother lives almost by his looks” - Gertrude loves her son too much
- “the great love the general gender bear him” - the public love him. any punishment he gives to Hamlet would be like “[his] arrows… would have reverted to my bow again, and not where I had aimed them.”
What does Laertes vow to do?
“have I a noble father lost, a sister driven into desperate terms… but my revenge will come”
What creates tension in this scene?
Hamlet’s letter telling Claudius that he will “recount the occasion of [his] sudden and more strange return”
How does the king declare he has a plan?
“I will work him to an exploit…under the which he shall not choose but fall”
How does Laertes prove to be the foil to Hamlet when responding to Claudius’ idea of a plan?
“if you could devise it so that I might be the organ”
How does Claudius flatter Laertes? Why might he be doing this and what does this show about his character?
“for your rapier most especial… ‘t would be a sight indeed if one could match you.” - could be making sure Laertes thinks he can win and won’t back out.
How does Claudius push and influence Laertes into agreeing into the plan?
“what would you undertake to show yourself in deed your father’s son more than in words?”
How can we tell that Laertes is indeed falling into Claudius’ trap AND that he is the ultimate foil to Hamlet? How can we tell he isn’t afraid of the religious consequences and values honour over anything else?
“To cut his throat i’ th’ church”
What is Claudius’ plan for the fencing duel?
“you may choose a sword unbated” - a sharp sword that can kill Hamlet.
How does Laertes add to this plan?
“I will do’t. And for that purpose, I’ll anoint my sword… I’ll touch my point with this contagion that if I gall him slightly, it may be death”
What does Claudius then add to this plan after Laertes suggests the poison? Why does he suggest this?
“If this should fail, and that our drift look though our bad performance, ‘twere better not assayed; therefore this project should have a back or second”
“I’ll have preferred him a chalice for the nonce”
What dramatic effect is used in this scene when Gertrude comes in?
She tells how “your sister’s drowned, Laertes”
How is Ophelia’s death described?
“Her clothes spread wide, and mermaid-like awhile they bore her up… or like a creature native and indued unto that element” - no struggle.
How does Laertes react to this news?
Repeated “drowned?”
