Saturday, December 20, 2008

Hamlet Act IV and V Journal- Due December 23rd

1. What common event takes place in the lives of Hamelt, Fortinbras, and Laertes? How are the reactions of three similar? How does each cope differently in the the event?

2. How do Hamlet's views of death develop from the "To Be or Not To Be" soliloquy in Act III to his answers about the whereabouts of Polonius's body in Act IV to the graveyard in Act V sc i to his finals words in the last scene? What questions about the nature of life and death did the play make you think about?

3. Is Hamlet right to admire Fortinbras's actions in Act IV sc iv? Why or why?

4. What role do literal poisons have throughout the play? In a more abstract and metaphorical way, what and who else is 'poisoned' throughout the play?

5. Does Hamlet redeem himself at the end of the play? Does he deserve a soldier's funeral that Fortinbras gives him?

6. A lot of characters die in the play. Which characters bring their deaths upon themselves and which ones are mere victims of fate? Explain your answers.

7. Overall, did you like this play? Why or why not?

1 comment:

Joshua said...

1. Hamlet, Fortinbras, and Laertes all want to revenge for their fathers death. Their father's were killed, their son's loved them dearly. Laertes.

2. At first, he is contemplating suicide but decides not to go through with it. At the end of the book, he makes up his mind and says that he is prepared for what will come to him. If he dies, he dies. If he lives, he lives.

3. I think it is okay for Hamlet to admire Fortinbras's actions. Fortinbras is mad because his father, the king of Norway thanks to the Danes.

4. Literal poisons were used as a weapon of murder. People who were poisoned died. Now in the figurative meaning, people can be poisoned by soaking up information that everyone says and not standing up for what you believe. Take Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. These young guys

5. In a way, yes. He realizes that he will have a duel with Laertes and is prepared for the outside. If he dies, he dies. If he wins, he wins.

6. Ophelia died of unfortunate events. However, she should have know that water adds weight to your body, making you sink lower and lower as time passes by. Polonius had it coming, he had been spying on too many people, and if you are spying, there is a high probability that you might get stabbed, hurt, or killed. In that case, don't eavesdrop on people. Claudius DEFINITELY had it coming, he killed Hamlet's father, married Hamlet's mother, "asked for forgiveness", and yet was never sorry for killing Hamlet's father so that he can get the throne. Gertrude, the poor queen, accidentally drank the poisoned wine, which killed her.

7. I loved this play. All the action, drama, suspense. Great book, Mr. Mohr. I give it a 10.