Hamlet

Question 1

What is the significance of the clown scene with regards to the theme of death?

Answer 1

• The gravediggers offer a groundlings-eye view of death (many audiences can relate better than to kings and princes), in addition to providing some comic relief by virtue of their ability to outwit Hamlet despite being his social inferiors.
• Shakespeare democratises the ideas and questions of the play through a casual conversation. Conveys relevance accross social boundaries. “Is she to be buried in Christian burial, when she wilfully seeks her own salvation?”

Question 2

How is Hamlet characterised as a very moral character?

Answer 2

• He is concerned by issues of morality like his father’s murder and his mother’s “o’erhasty marriage”
• Slightly reluctant to seek revenge despite his hatred of Claudius; moral and spiritual issues involved in committing murder. Ghost has to force him to act: materializes “to whet thy almost blunted purpose” [closet scene]
• He tries to justify killing Claudius by embracing the idea of fate and destiny, which would mean he is not responsible.

Question 3

What specific contextual features might a modern audience miss?

Answer 3

• Hamlet’s escape from the ‘pirates’ makes a link to a contemporary issue; pirates were a serious threat to Elizabethan/Jacobean security.

Question 4

How is catharsis achieved at the resolution of the play?

Answer 4

• Horatio survives to tell “th’yet unknowing world / How these things came about” - provides relief and catharsis.
• Death helps restore order in Denmakr: the deaths of Claudius, Polonius, Gertrude Rosencrantz and Guildenstern mark the end of corruption in the court.
• Hamlet’s own death necessary for tragic effect, but also seems fitting that Fortinbras is there to take over as King.

Question 5

How does Hamlet’s language convey that he is an introspective, deep thinker?

Answer 5

• Language full of double meanings and riddles, “The body is with the king but the king is not with the body”. (Claudius near body but King Hamlet not in his body), to Polonius: you “shall grow as old as I am, if like a crab you could / Go backward”
• Hamlet never reveals his true thoughts and plans to the other characters, even with Horatio he is secretive

Question 6

Why does Hamlet delay his revenge on Claudius?

Answer 6

• He constantly doubts and challenges the world around him, thoughtfulness a major factor in delaying revenge: “dost thou think Alexander looked o’this fashion i’th’ earth?” [theme of death]
• Hamlet must also think of Denmark as a whole, and protect it from Fortinbras’ invasion as well as internal corruption. Avoids action that could destabilize the country.

Question 7

What evidence is there to suggest that Hamlet is only feigning madness?

Answer 7

• Hamlet says “I essentially am not in madness, / But mad in craft” [closet scene] implying he is only pretending to convince Claudius he is not a threat
• Hamlet acts sane when he is alone and in front of those whom he trusts.
• Hamlet’s use of humour to mock other characters. Tricks Osric into agreeing “it is indifferent cold” then “It is very sultry”. Appeal to groundlings.
• Shakespeare introduces doubt even to this conclusion; Hamlet often loses train of thought, is obsessed with secrecy.

Question 8

How is Claudius characterized as an immoral character?

Answer 8

• He took the throne whilst Hamlet was absent; might have seemed unjust to an English audience used to hereditary monarchy.
• Killing King Hamlet goes against will of god (Kings believed to have divine right to rule)
• Ghost calls him a “serpent”, link to satan, evil
• The Bible forbade women from marrying husband’s brother seen as immoral. - Note: especially obvious for an Elizabethan audience.

Question 9

How does Claudius manipulate people with language?

Answer 9

• The poison he pours in King Hamlet’s ear symbolises his ability to control people through lies and manipulative language. Method of killing… audience views him as devious and cowardly.
• He positions himself as chief mourner of King’s death to bring the court on his side. Addresses the crowd personally with “you” and “us”

Question 10

How does Shakespeare appeal to the groundlings through the character of Polonius?

Answer 10

• He is insensitive: during a moving speech by one of the players he ruins the mood by interrupting with “This is too long”.
• His speeches are long winded, boring and nonsensical, and he confuses himself with his own thoughts: “What was I about to say”.
• Other characters get frustrated with him. The audience sees him as an old fool - appeals to groundlings especially.
• Slightly ironic that he accuses Hamlet of being mad

Question 11

In what ways is Laertes similar to Hamlet?

Answer 11

• They both love Ophelia and have a strong sense of love and loyalty for their fathers
• They both seek revenge for their fathers’ deaths.

Question 12

What is a foil? How is Laertes a foil to Hamlet?

Answer 12

• A character who contrasts with the protagonist,
• Hamlet is a tragic hero (unable to take revenge), Laertes is a traditional revenge hero (returns immediately to seek revenge for father’s death)
• Hamlet is a thinker and slow to act, Laertes is impulsive and direct - quick to gather an army to take revenge.

Question 13

What is the role of Horatio in the play?

Answer 13

• Horatio survives to tell “th’yet unknowing world / How these things came about” - provides relief and catharsis.
• He lets the audience know what and who to trust: his witness of the ghost confirms it’s veracity and his agreement with Hamlet’s interpretation of Claudius’ reaction to the play leaves the audience no doubt about his guilt.

Question 14

How is Ophelia characterized as naive and obedient?

Answer 14

• Polonius uses her as a means to spy on Hamlet, and Ophelia complies unquestioningly - suggests her duty to her father is more important than her love for Hamlet. - Her language shows that she is subservient “I shall obey, my lord”

Question 15

How does the ghost challenge the religious beliefs of the Elizabethan audience?

Answer 15

• The Protestant Reformation rejected the Catholic idea of purgatory (where souls are purified of sins after death) so the ghost’s claim’s challenges Hamlet’s religious faith. - Perhaps symbolic of the conflicting faiths of Catholicism and Protestantism.

Question 16

How was revenge viewed at the time that Hamlet was written?

Answer 16

• Classical traditions supported revenge because family honor was at stake. - However, the Church taught that revenge was a sin, which is why Hamlet wonders if the ghost is the “devil” trying to trick him. - Conflict between christian values and duty of revenge reflective of the religious upheaval of the time.

Question 17

What were some commonly held views about men and women in Elizabethan England? How do they relate to the play?

Answer 17

• Women considered the ‘weaker sex’, seen as socially, intellectually and physically inferior to men.
• These views reflected in the way characters die; by conventions of classical tragedy men should die by the sword, whilst the women meet ‘watery’ demises (poison, drowning).

Question 18

How does Hamlet view his mother’s marriage of Claudius?

Answer 18

• He sees Gertrude’s marriage as immoral; a betrayal to marry so soon after father’s death, also disgusted by her sexual “appetite”
• He transfers his resentment to all women, calls them “frail” and morally weak.
• Describes her sexual relationship with vivid imagery “stewed in corruption, honeying and making love”, stew = Elizabethan word for brothel.

Question 19

What is the symbollism of Yorick’s skull?

Answer 19

• It is used as a theatrical memento mori; a reminder of humanity’s mortality.
• Hamlet gets to almost literally ‘face’ death out of fascination rather than fear or bravery. Anagnorisis of the fact that everyone even kings will be “turned to clay”.

Question 20

How does Shakespeare convey Hamlet’s descent into “madness” to the audience?

Answer 20

• Hamlet comes to Ophelia disheveled, acting strangely - Playing the stereotype of the lover who has been turned down “He raised a sigh so piteous” [Ophelia]
• His exaggerated symptoms perhaps suggest acting.
• References to Hamlet by other characters: “changèd”, “lunacy”, “distemper”

Question 21

How is Hamlet shown to lose his sense of time throughout the play? What is the effect on the audience?

Answer 21

• Time initially moves quite slowly at regular pace. Audience given dates “two months dead”
• By Act 3 Hamlet has lost his purpose as revenger and loses sense of time. Tells Ophelia, “father died within’s two hours”. Audience disorientated. Reflects Hamlet’s disturbed state of mind
• At the start, it is clear if it is day or night (courtly life/ghost) but this division breaks down and the passage of time is distorted.

Question 22

How is a theme of uncertainty and appearance versus reality established in the play?

Answer 22

• Play begins with a question “Who’s there?”, in the darkness—little visibility.
• Hamlet values the truth, searches for it throughout the play.
• Many characters want visual proof of things. Polonius and Claudius spying on Hamlet. Hamlet observing Claudius during the play. Horatio: “the sensible and true avouch / Of mine own eyes”

Question 23

How does the ghost link to the theme of appearance versus reality?

Answer 23

• At first the ghost can be seen by all who look at it. Seems to prove that it is real - In the closet scene Gertrude cannot see it, and so thinks Hamlet is mad.
• Audience is left uncertain. Perhaps Hamlet is imagining, perhaps it is his “prophetic soul”: he sees truth where others do not.

Question 24

What is stopping Hamlet from committing suicide?

Answer 24

Suicide goes against his religion - it was seen as almost cowardly. “that the Everlasting had not fixed / his canon against self slaughter!” (1st soliloquy)

Question 25

What is hamartia and what role does it play in Hamlet?

Answer 25

• It is a fatal flaw in a character that typically causes their downfall in Greek tragedy.
• Claudius’ cunning brings about his own downfall: Gertrude’s death by Claudius’ poisoned goblet finally gives Hamlet the resolve to kill his Uncle.
• Hamlet’s hamartia is his inability to carry out the revenge: his inaction spoils his relationship with Gertrude and sends Ophelia into depression.

Question 26

What is anagnorisis and what role does it play in Hamlet?

Answer 26

• It is a point of recognition
• When Hamlet prepares the play within a play, to see “catch the conscience of the King”.
• He recognises his uncle’s guilt as Claudius calls a halt to the play “Lights! Lights!” and leaves the room.

Question 27

What messages does Shakespeare convey about mortality?

Answer 27

• Shakespeare encourages the audience to go with Hamlet on a journey contemplating what it means to die. Through Hamlet, Shakespeare explores philosophical questions surrounding death: morality of suicide, the “undiscover’d country” of the afterlife, and the physical detail of decay.

Question 28

What evidence does Shakespeare provide to show Hamlet’s development as a character?

Answer 28

• He begins instructing others (like a king). To players: “Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it”. Becoming an actor, a protagonist- Begins choosing allies (Horatio) more carefully.
• Asks Horatio to watch the king from a different position.
• The symbollism of being shipwrecked is like being reborn - the water washed away his past.

Question 29

What is the effect of Hamlet’s transformation into the perfect king by the denouement?

Answer 29

• Hamlet goes from melancholy, brooding and indecisive. Troubled by Claudius, Gertrude and the King’s death.
• “we put on a compelled valour” (horatio), fighting the pirates and winning Hamlet begins to act as a royal man of action. “put on” suggests he had to be a different person.
• Fortinbras says Hamlet would have “prov’t most royal”, conveying his admiration (both in similar positions as revengers).
• What makes the ‘perfect king’ a hotly discussed topic at the time.

Question 30

What evidence is there to show Hamlet’s grief?

Answer 30

• Other characters descriptions of him: “how is it that the clouds still hang on you?” [Claudius]
• He jumps of Gertrude’s word “seem”, saying he “know not seems” but is genuinely grieving. Ironic that he is doubted when being honest, but his fake madness is taken at face value.
• His soliloquies reveal his melancholy emotions: feels to be in a “sea of troubles”
• Grief emphasised through contrast to other characters who converse jovially.

Question 31

How would Elizabethan and modern audiences view Gertrude’s marriage to Claudius?

Answer 31

• Elizabethan audiences perhaps better understand/share some of Hamlet’s distaste for the moral and religious implications of the marriage.

Question 32

How is contrast created between the father-son relationships in the play?

Answer 32

• Hamlet/King Hamlet appear to have had a very close relationship; Hamlet grieves more than the other characters. - Polonius’ fatherly advice to Laertes contrasts to Claudius’s unwelcome councils to Hamlet (distant relationship): “Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice” [Polonius]

Question 33

How does Hamlet view Claudius? What evidence is there to show this?

Answer 33

• Hamlet holds no sympathy for Claudius.
• His reaction to him (1.2): “A little more than kin and less than kind”. Triple meaning of “kind”: saying C is not a direct blood relative, refers to Cs unnatrual lust, and expresses his resentment - “bloody, bawdy villian!” (3rd soliloquy)

Question 34

How would Elizabethan audiences react to Hamlet’s character?

Answer 34

• Hamlet criticized for being too feminine, both for his lack of action, long soliloquies and “unmanly grief”.
• He nevertheless attracts the sympathy of the audience, the outcome of his heartfelt soliloquies which allow the audience to share his point of view.

Question 35

How would modern audiences react to Hamlet’s character?

Answer 35

• Hamlet is intended to attract the sympathy of the audience substantially, the outcome of his heartfelt soliloquies which allow the audience to share his point of view.
• Shakespeare positions Hamlet as a tragic hero, who the audience supports.

Question 36

How is Hamlet’s character influenced by Renaissance England?

Answer 36

Hamlet questions the actions of others and the would around him just as the Renaissance challenged traditional values.
- Hamlet could be considered a ‘renaissance man’, as he thinks deeply, is intelligent, and a student of many subjects.

Question 37

How is Hamlet’s character influened by Humanism?

Answer 37

• Humanism was a school of thought from the Renaissance period that emphasized the importance of reason.
• Hamlet’s uncertainty, questioning, desire to find out the truth, and general scepticism is typical of Elizabebthan Humanism. Justified as he discovers that he can’t trust those around him.

Question 38

Why does Ophelia go mad? How does Shakespeare show that she is mad?

Answer 38

• She is hurt by Hamlet’s rejection, saying she is “most deject and wretched”
• She is disturbed by Hamlet’s apparent madness and her father’s death.
• She gives rambling speeches and sings inappropriate songs with sexual undertones: “Before you tumbled me / you promised me to wed” Makes us question her chastity - a break in character from her meek, obedient former self.

Question 39

How was suicide viewed in Elizabethan England?

Answer 39

• Suicide was condemned by the church, the priest at Ophelia’s funeral says “flints and pebbles should be thrown on her”
• Ophelia’s suicide was a court case at the time Hamlet was written Sir James Hall killed himself & did not receive a Christian burial.

Question 40

What is the role of the ghost?

Answer 40

• It establishes the genre of Elizabethan revenge tragedy. - It foreshadows tragedy: Horatio wonders if it “bodes some strange eruption to our state”. Suggests to both characters and audience that a tragedy will occur.
• It acts as a device to move the plot forward, asking him to “revenge his most foul and unnatural murder”
• It creates an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty at the start of the play.
• The fact that several see it makes it real/sane of mind

Question 41

Why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudius in Act 3 scene 3?

Answer 41

• Claudius is praying: Hamlet believes he will go to heaven if he kills him. Not proper revenge - Not the right place/time/circumstances to take revenge: needs to be face to face (honorable) - Hamlet needs agnorisis (recognition)
• Killing the king goes against christian morals: monarchs believed to have divine right to rule, Hamlet would be going against the will of god.
• This altogether reveals Hamlet’s heightened morality.

Question 42

How was the Shakespearean audience involved in the play?

Answer 42

• No ‘fourth wall’ between actors and audience as we know it; audience expects interaction, delivered through asides and dramatic irony - audience more involved in the action.

Question 43

What is Ophelia’s relationship with her father and brother like?

Answer 43

• Both Laertes and Polonius are protective of her to the point where they are preoccupied with her sexuality
• Laertes graphically warns her about losing her “chaste treasure”. Context note: this would ruin her reputation and she would be considered worthless.

Question 44

How is metatheatre used in the play?

Answer 44

• Metatheathre: References to the stage “this majestical roof fretted with golden fire” may refer to roof of Globe decorated with stars and planets. Made the audience more involved in the action.

Question 45

What is the significance of the play-within-the-play? In what ways is it an example of metatheatre?

Answer 45

• ‘The Murder of Gonzago’ emphasizes the theme of appearance and reality: draws attention to the theatricality, breaking the audience’s illusion of reality, aware of themselves watching the actors who are watching the play.
• Function of mimesis: the audience gets to witness an interpretation of the murder of King Hamlet.
• Reveals Claudius’ guilt: he stands up and calls for “Lights! Lights!”

Question 46

How does Hamlet’s perspective towards death change throughout the play?

Answer 46

• Hamlet’s philosophizing about death allows him to go calmly to Laretes’ fencing match.
• Having killed Polonius, held Yoric’s skull and watched Ophelia being buried he is able to think rationally about the inevitibility of death and not to fear it: “If it be not now, yet it will come. The rediness is all.”

Question 47

What was the context of composition for Hamlet? How has the context influenced the tragedy genre?

Answer 47

• Written in 1599-1601, in Elizabethan England.
• Performed before wide range of audiences from different social classes.
• England had recently experienced a cultural revival.

Question 48

How does the tragedy genre of Hamlet relate to the context of composition?

Answer 48

• Hamlet influenced by Sycilian and Kydian tragedy - great cultural appetite for revenge tragedy. Subversion of tradition and tragedy convention would be much more obvious and exciting to contemporary audiences: Shakespeare goes against their expectations by having Hamlet act as an obstacle to himself.

Question 49

How does Shakespeare create tension from the subplot of political corruption and instability in Denmark?

Answer 49

• “something is rotten in the state of Denmark” (Marcellus) suggests that the country itself is decaying.
• King Hamlet is symbollically represented as a fragile garden that becomes polluted and despoiled. Ghost graphically describes his body ravaged by poision: “Most lazar-like with vile and lothsome crust”. As the King’s body is poisoned, the state of Denmark becomes rotten and corrupt.
• Frequent references to Claudius’ drinking and wild parties further indication of the country’s fallen state.

Question 50

What does the symbollism of garden imagery represent?

Answer 50

• Hamlet’s metaphor of an “unweeded garden” evokes imagery of an ordered garden overrun by weeds of the wilderness. Untamed wilderness represents sexual, political and moral corruption in the court.
• May be interpreted as an allusion to the Garden of Eden (especially by contemporaries), murder of King Hamlet mirrors the biblical tale: “sleeping in my orchard / a serpent stung me”

Question 51

What does Hamlet express in his third soliloquy after the play-within-the play?

Answer 51

Hamlet continues to feel frustrated and angry in his grief, and his feelings of impotence have returned. Although Claudius’s response to the play indicated guilt, Hamlet still uncertain about the moral and .religious implications of his options.
- Opening line “to be or not to be” Contemplating suicide: preferable to living with “a sea of troubles”: enclosing, drowning metaphor.

Question 52

What does Hamlet express in his first soliloquy after the meeting in court?

Answer 52

• Expresses his deep depression, wishing that “this too solid flesh would melt”. Says he finds the world “weary, stale, flat and unprofitable”. His grief encompasses his father’s death, his mother’s “o’erhasty” marriage and his dislike of his uncle.

Question 53

What does Hamlet express in his second soliloquy after having spoken with the ghost?

Answer 53

Hamlet still feels grief-stricken, frustrated and angry, saying he could “drown the stage with tears” but is no longer completely impotent, realizing that he can use the play to reveal Claudius’ guilt.