HONORS PS1500 - Physics in the Plays of Tom Stoppard
Hamlet Acts 4 and 5 Questions for Discussion
● Act 4, Scenes 1 3 Summary
Scene 1: In the previous scene (in Gertrudes private room),
what does she promise in lines 219 to 221? Does she keep her promise here in
Scene 1 of Act 4? Why?
Compare Hamlet's vision of humankind in Act 2, Scene 2, lines
327 to 331, with his perspective in Act 4, Scene 3.
● Act 4, Scene 4 Summary
Comment on how Hamlet's vision of humankind in Act 2, Scene
2, lines 327 to 331, relates to his perspective in this scene's final soliloquy.
● Act 4, Scene 5 Summary
What are the reasons for Ophelia's behavior?
Compare Laertes' passion for revenge with Hamlet's.
● Act 4, Scenes 6 and 7 Summary
Scene 7: Evaluate Claudius' plan to kill Hamlet without
raising suspicions. What do you imagine Claudius would do after Laertes kills
Hamlet?
● Act 5, Scene 1 Summary
Did Ophelia kill herself, or did "the water come to her, and
drown her" (see lines 15 21)?
● Act 5, Scene 2 Summary
Did Gertrude kill herself by knowingly drinking from the
poisoned cup?
Did Rosencrantz and Guildenstern deserve their fate?
Acting Assignments for Hamlet
1. Act 4, Scene 2, lines 1 to 31 (Four parts: Hamlet, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern,
and Gentleman)
Starts with Hamlet: Safely stowed.
Ends with Hamlet: Of nothing. Bring me to him. Hide fox, and all after!
2. Act 4, Scene 7, lines 122 to 168 (Two parts: Claudius and Laertes)
Starts with Claudius: Laertes, was your father dear to you?
Ends with Laertes: It may be death.
3. Act 5, Scene 2 , lines 4 to 70 (Two parts: Hamlet and Horatio)
Starts with Hamlet: Sir, in my heart there was a kind
of fighting / that would not let me sleep.
Ends with Horatio: Why, what a king is this!
Return to Honors PS1500 home page
Last modified: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 12:03 AM