Hamlet Act 2 & 3 Flashcards
Who and why did polonius send someone to Paris?
Polonius sent Reynaldo there to deliver money and letters but mainly to spy on his son Laertes to see what he’s up to
What news does Claudius receive from Norway?
He hears the king hear about fortinbras’ plans so fortinbras stepped down and the king was so happy he let him keep ruling that army and keep going through Denmark to Poland
Who said “therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit and tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief” and to whom?
Polonius is saying this to Gertrude and Claudius
It’s says “since the essence of wisdom is not talking to much, I’ll get right to the point”
What does Gertrude originally think the cause is for Hamlets sadness? Why is it significant?
She thinks that it is his father dying sand her quick re marriage to his brother.
This is the first small evidence that Gertrude doesn’t know about the murder because she would have replied differently if she knew
How does hamlet treat polonius in the fishmonger scene?
First he addresses him as a fish seller which also meant pimp who’s daughter was a prostitute then, then says he wouldn’t put it past polonius to use his daughter as a prostitute for his own good, then insults his age and how he will only get older and uglier, then makes a snobby comment about polonius excuses himself
When does the climax happen? And what happens?
Act 3 scene 3
Hamlet has the perfect opportunity to do what he’s set out to do this entire time, get revenge for his fathers death
He doesn’t kill him because he sees him praying so he doesn’t want to kill him once his sins have been cleansed
How does polonius die? How does it match his personality?
He is hiding behind the curtains eavesdropping when hamlet hears him cry and thinks it’s Claudius so he stabs the curtain and kills him
It matches him because he always inserts himself in people’s lives and eavesdrops
Why does the ghost return and why can only hamlet see the ghost?
The ghost returns to sharpen hamlets full appetite for revenge, and remind him of his purpose and also tells him to talk to his mom and calm her
Hamlet can only see the ghost because it represents his relationship with his father still intact while the relationship between Gertrude and him is ruined so she cannot see him
How is Ophelia treated by hamlet and why is this?
Hamlet treats Ophelia very harshly and comments on the stereotypes of women like two faced and tells her to stay away from men. This is because he loves her but he has so much anger built up and stored in that’s its difficult to show care. He takes out the anger for his mother on Ophelia at one point too
Who is hamlet talking to when he first hears about and meets the actors?
Rosencrantz and guildenstern
Why does hamlet refer to polonius as Jephthah?
In the bible, Jephthah sacrifices his daughter by making a vow too easily. He vowed to God if he gave him victory he would offer up the first person he sees when he gets home as a sacrifice
What does Gertrude hope is the reason for hamlets madness? What does this show about her?
Gertrude hopes hamlets madness is over Ophelia’s beauty
This further proves that she was not an accomplice and she believes everyone should be happy
Where do we first see Claudius experience guilt?
In act 3 scene 1 he says to himself how guilty he is and shows he has a conscience that can be caught by hamlets play
How does Claudius react to the “mouse trap” play?
At first he gets uneasy asking hamlet if he knows what happens and if anything bad happens in it, this is the first sign of guilt from the play.
Then Claudius stands up and asks for the lights to be turned on and to take him out of there once the king gets poisoned in the play.
How does Claudius react to hamlets treatment of ophelia?
Claudius believes that hamlets problems do not stem from love and he wants to send him to England to collect money to get his head straight. He sees hamlets madness as a threat
