Hamlet

Question 1

Quotes for the theme of madness - polonius and Claudius

Answer 1

“He knew me not at first, he said I was a fishmonger. He is far gone and truly in my youth, I suffered much extremity for love very near this” - polonius

“Poor ophelia. Divided from herself and fair judgement” - Claudius

Question 2

Quotes for the theme of corruption - hamlet and marcellus

Answer 2

“Tis an unweeded garden that grows to seed. Thing rank and gross in nature.” - hamlet

“O that this too solid flesh would melt, thaw and resolve itself into a dew” - hamlet

“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” - marcellus

Question 3

Quotes for the theme of action vs in action - hamlet

Answer 3

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so”

“The plays the thing, wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king”

Question 4

Quotes for the theme of appearance vs reality

Answer 4

“Seems madam! Nay it is; I know not “seems””- hamlet

“This above all - to thine self be true… Thou canst then be false to any man” - polonius

“Something is rotten in the state of denmark” marcellus

“There are more things in heaven and earth horatio, than are dreamt of in out philosophy” - hamlet

Question 5

Soliloquy #1

Answer 5

Shows hamlets development through the play - reflecting purpose, actions and thoughts, premeditation and intent.
Allows him to confront the difference between reality and appearance.
Strong imagery - unweeded garden.
Introduces the audience to what is happening.

Question 6

Soliloquy #2

Answer 6

Should he act on the info provided by a ghost?
“Oh what a rogue and peasant slave I am”
-Laments on his inaction on revenge
“Catch the conscience of the king”
-Procrastination prolongs his action - human action.

Question 7

Soliloquy #3

Answer 7

“To be or not to be, that is the question.”
Deliberation on life and suicide, shifts the tone of the play - calm before the storm.
Deals with the meaning of life.
Deep, reasoned to answer the perplexing things about his life, desires and intentions.

Question 8

Quotes for the theme of madness - hamlet

Answer 8

“How strange or off some’er I beat myself (as I perchance hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition on)”

“I am but mad north north west: when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw”.

Question 9

Hamlet essay structure

Answer 9

Aspect of humanity is the same for hamlet as it is for ours.
Characterisation of hamlet as an over active intelligent mind which delays him from action.
Themes of the play