HONORS PS1500 - Physics in the Plays of Tom Stoppard

Hamlet Act 3, Scene 2 through Act 5, Scene 2 --- Questions for Discussion

 

• Act 3, Scene 2 --- Summary
  
  Describe Hamlet's treatment of Ophelia during the play. Why does Hamlet say what he does to Ophelia?.
  
  What does The Murder of Gonzago accomplish for Hamlet?
  

• Act 3, Scene 3 --- Summary
  
  What does Claudius plan for Hamlet?
  
  Why does Hamlet refrain from killing Claudius, and why is his decision ironic?
  

• Act 3, Scene 4 --- Summary
  
  Line 29: How is the line "As kill a king?" delivered by Gertrude?  Does she suspect (or have knowledge of) Claudius’ guilt?
  
  Lines 173 to 176: When Hamlet says, "... I must be their scourge and minister," is he taking control or relinquishing control of his actions and fate?
  

• Act 4, Scenes 1 and 3 --- Summary

Scene 1: In the previous scene (in Gertrude’s private room), what does she promise in lines 198 to 200?  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 286 to 290, with his perspective in Scene 3.

• Act 4, Scene 4 --- Summary

Comment on how Hamlet's vision of humankind in Act 2, Scene 2, lines 286 to 290, 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 3, Scene 2 --- Summary
  
  Describe Hamlet's treatment of Ophelia during the play. Why does Hamlet say what he does to Ophelia?.
  
  What does The Murder of Gonzago accomplish for Hamlet?

• Act 5, Scene 1 --- Summary
  
  Did Ophelia kill herself, or did "the water come to her, and drown her" (see lines 15, 16)?

• Act 5, Scene 2 --- Summary
  
  Did Gertrude kill herself by knowingly drinking from the poisoned cup? Did Rosencrantz and Guildenstern deserve their fate?
    

• The Hamlet Problem: Why does Hamlet delay taking his revenge? Why doesn’t he kill Claudius immediately? And why does Hamlet constantly feel guilty about not being able to go through with it?
  
• In Act 5, Scene 2, lines 10 and 11, Hamlet declares that "There's a divinity that shapes our ends / Rough-hew them how we will." Later in the same scene, lines 192 to 195, Hamlet says, "There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, ‘tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come — the readiness is all." Is everything that will happen to you already determined, or can you take action to control your own destiny?
  
• In Act 5, Scene 1, line 55, Horatio observes that the gravedigger can joke about his grisly task because "Custom hath made it in him a property of easiness." The idea that custom deadens the senses permeates the play. To what extent is this relevant to everyday life today?

Acting Assignments for Hamlet

1. Act 3, Scene 2, the dumb-show after line 120 (Five parts: King, Queen, Poisoner, two mutes)

2. Act 4, Scene 2 (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!

3. Act 4, Scene 7, lines 106 to 147 (Two parts: Claudius and Laertes)

Starts with Claudius: Laertes, was your father dear to you?

Ends with Laertes: It may be death.

4. Act 5, Scene 2 , lines 4 to 62 (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!

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Last modified:  Monday, January 03, 2011 10:52 PM