Act 5

HAMLET ACT 5: Questions

1) What do you feel is the point of the gravedigger’s riddles and song? How does it fit into the play?

I think that the riddles supply comic relief. Also it could be hinting that the gravedigger knows that it is hamlet he is talking to. The song could be forboding to hamlets death or his love for Ophelia. It also could be to show comic relief because it is a sad song and he is singing it in a happy way.

2) In what ways do Hamlet’s reactions to the skulls in the graveyard seem to suggest a change in his outlook? Compare Hamlet’s attitude towards Yoric to Hamlet’s attitude to Ophelia or even his father? How is it different? How is it similar?

He seems much more mature and understanding that everyone is the same after they die. Also he understands that everyone dies at some point in time. He shows remorse about yoric and he seems to be heartbroken about ophelia’s death and his fathers death.

3) How old is Hamlet? How do you know this?

30 the gravedigger became a grave digger since the day hamlet was born.

4) What does the violent argument between Hamlet and Laertes add to the play?

Hamlet says that he is the Dane. They are both fighting over Ophelia whome they both love. It shows how crazy Laertes is. They wrestle in the grave and that could be a forshadow of their deaths.

5) What developments in Hamlet’s character are presented through the story of what happened on the boat? (V.ii 1-62). How has Hamlet changed?

He is willing to kill his childhood friends without letting them pray to go to heaven. He starts taking action. He realizes he is in a position of power.

6) How do Hamlet’s motives in killing Claudius seem to have shifted according to his speech beginning “Does it not, think thee…” (V.ii.63)

He seems more upset about Claudius jumping him in the right to be king. He actually shows that he wants to be king for the first time.

7) What concerns of the play are reinforced in the Osric episode? (V.ii.80-170)

Reinforces the idea of prostitution. He is sucking up to a position of power.

8) Why does Hamlet ‘defy augury’? (V.ii.192)

He knows it is a trap and if he doesn’t go now it will just happen later.

9) What does Laertes say is his motive in still resenting Hamlet? How has already lost this? How does this contribute to the presentation of revenge in the play? (V.ii216-223)

He wants his honor protected. His family honor needs to be spoken for. He accepts Hamlets apology but he still needs to protect his honor.

10) How might the dying lines of Gertrude, Claudius and Laertes be viewed as typical of the way their characters have been presented throughout the play?

She could have known that the drink was poisoned and she was just protecting hamlet whom she loves.

 Claudius: He asks for help from people who he has power over who don’t really care about him.

Laertes: He forgives Hamlet and asks for forgiveness from hamlet.

11) Who “wins” in Hamlet? How and why do you think this?

Fortinbras. He gets revenge for his father and gains a kingdom. He is the final speaker of the play. He ends up with complete power. And he never seems to go crazy like everyone else in the play.