Act (IV) Flashcards
Claudius. When polonius dies, Claudius’ first reaction is to think of himself only. Narcissistic and self important
O heavy deed! It had been so with us had we been there. His liberty is full of threats to us all
Hamlet. sounds like nonsense. commenting on the natural order; sharp and insightful. the people are with the king as it is their duty, but the king does not serve the people. The king is the problem as he only serves himself - regicide and usurper
The body is with the King, but the King is not with the body. The King is the thing
Claudius; Anatomical image, I do really need to kill Hamlet but I don’t want to. Not a psychotic mindless killer, only kills for strategy, but he knows that he has no choice
Diseases, desperate grown, by desperate appliance are reliev’d, Or not at all
Claudius; anatomical image. English murder plot. fascinating direct insight into the mind of an evil genious
The present death of Hamlet. Do it England, for like the hectic in my blood he rages and thou must cure
The captain shows fortinbras will fight for honour, if not for gain, contrasting to Hamlet
We go to gain a little patch of ground that hath no profit in it but the name
Claudius comments on human nature and the true tragedy of Ophelia losing her minf
Poor Ophelia, Divided from herself and her fair judgement, without the which we are as pictures, or mere beasts
Laertes is furious and bloodthirsty
O thou vile King, Give me my father
Claudius, Dramatic Irony, pretends that God is on his side, even though he knows that he is definitely not and has no protection as a regicide and a usurper
There’s such divinity doth hedge a king
Laertes is not afraid to kill, he is bloodthirsty and determined to avenge his father’s death and will do anything, morality and worry out the window
To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil! Conscience and grace to the profoundest pit! I dare damnation
Laertes mourns what Ophelia once was, tragedy of her losing her mind, so fragile
O rose of May! Dear maid, kind sister, sweet Ophelia! O heavens! Is’t possible a young maid’s wits should be as mortal as an old man’s life?
Claudius manipulates Laertes as he was a threat and turns him into an ally
Now must your conscience my acquittance seal, and you must place me in your heart as a friend
Claudius, astronomical imagery. his life gravitates around Gertrude, if he lost her, his life would be over. Sincere.
why he didn’t kill Hamlet, explains to Laertes, humanises him
She’s so conjunctive to my life and soul. That, as the star moves not but in his sphere, I could not but by her
Claudius, Hamlet is popular with the people of Denmark, politically savvy, illustrates extent of Hamlet’s failure, also why he didn’t kill him
The great love the general gender bear him
Laertes juxtaposes ophelia’s potential and her reality.
symbol of corruption, how innocent people are affected
symbol of Hamlet’s failure. destruction due to Hamlet’s indecision, should have been strong and decisive
driven into desperate terms… stood challenger on mount of all the age for her perfections
Gertrude announces Ophelia’s death, fundamentally goof and innocent, tragedy and injustice and she is also going to hell
one woe doth tread upon another’s heel. So fast they follow; your sister’s drowned Laertes
