HW#10 – Hamlet ENGL-1302

Questions

Please answer the following questions and submit your answers by Sunday at 11:00pm.  Each answer should be at least 1/3 of a page in length.  I am looking for specific evidence that you have thoroughly comprehended the play.

Hamlet homework questions

1. Why does Hamlet find avenging his father’s death so difficult? Why doesn’t he take decisive action as soon as he seems convinced of Claudius’ guilt?
2. When the ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius murdered him, Hamlet cries out, “O my prophetic soul!” (I.v.40). Why? What does the ghost demand of Hamlet?
3. What is known about the kind of person Hamlet was before this father’s death? Does he have the stature of a tragic hero such as Oedipus? How does news of the murder and his mother’s remarriage affect his behavior and view of life?
4. What is the purpose of the play within the play? How does it provide a commentary on the action of the larger play?
5. Is Ophelia connected with the crime Hamlet seeks to avenge? Why is he so brutal to Ophelia in Act III, Scene i? Why does she go mad?
6. Does Hamlet think Gertrude is as guilty as Claudius? Why is Hamlet so thoroughly disgusted with her in Act III, Scene iv?
7. Why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudius as he prayers? Do you feel any sympathy for Claudius in this scene, or is he presented as a callous murderer?
8. Despite its tragic dimensions, Hamlet includes humorous scenes and many witty lines delivered by the title character himself. Locate those scenes and lines, and then determine the tone and purpose of the play’s humor.

Sample Answer

1. Why does Hamlet find avenging his father’s death so difficult? Why doesn’t he take decisive action as soon as he seems convinced of Claudius’ guilt?

Hamlet finds avenging his father’s death difficult because he is not sure if the ghost is really his father and if what he said is true. He is also hesitant to take any decisive action because he is not sure of the consequences of his actions. He doesn’t want to act impulsively and make a mistake that he can’t take back. He is also hesitant because he doesn’t want to do anything that would dishonor his father’s memory.

2.  When the ghost tells Hamlet that Claudius murdered him, Hamlet cries out, “O my prophetic soul!” (I.v.40). Why? What does the ghost demand of Hamlet?

Hamlet cries out “O my prophetic soul!” because the ghost had revealed to him that Claudius had murdered his father. The ghost demands that Hamlet avenge his death and set things right.

3. What is known about the kind of person Hamlet was before his father’s death? Does he have the stature of a tragic hero such as Oedipus? How does news of the murder and his mother’s remarriage affect his behavior and view of life?

Before his father’s death, Hamlet was a young prince who was studying in Wittenberg. He was intelligent and had an inquisitive nature. He was considered to be the heir to the throne and was very close to his father. The news of his father’s death and his mother’s remarriage affects him greatly and drives him to seek revenge. He was consumed by grief and is determined to find out the truth and avenge his father’s death. He begins to question the world around him and his own purpose in life. He has the stature of a tragic hero as he is faced with a difficult situation and is determined to find justice.

4. What is the purpose of the play within the play? How does it provide a commentary on the action of the larger play?

The purpose of the play within the play is to provide a commentary on the action of the larger play and to confirm Hamlet’s suspicions about Claudius’ guilt. The play’s purpose is to make Claudius react to the play and reveal his guilt. The play also serves to demonstrate the guilt and sorrow of Claudius and make the audience sympathize with Hamlet.

5. Is Ophelia connected with the crime Hamlet seeks to avenge? Why is he so brutal to Ophelia in Act III, Scene 1? Why does she go mad?

Ophelia is not connected with the crime Hamlet seeks to avenge. He is so brutal to her in Act III, scene 1 because he believes she is part of a conspiracy to spy on him. He accuses her of being unfaithful to him and of being part of a plot against him. This causes her to become mad and ultimately leads to her death.

6. Does Hamlet think Gertrude is as guilty as Claudius? Why is Hamlet so thoroughly disgusted with her in Act III, Scene iv?

Hamlet does not think Gertrude is guilty as Claudius. He is disgusted with her in Act 3, scene IV because he believes that she is complicit in Claudius’ crime and that she should have done more to prevent him from murdering his father. He is also disgusted that she is so quickly remarried and is angry that she is not mourning the death of his father.

7. Why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudius as he prayers? Do you feel any sympathy for Claudius in this scene, or is he presented as a callous murderer?

Hamlet didn’t kill Claudius as he prays because he believes that if he kills him in that moment, Claudius will go to heaven. He has a strong belief in the afterlife and is determined to make sure that Claudius doesn’t get away with his crime. The audience may feel sympathy for Claudius in this scene as he is repenting for his crime, but ultimately, he is presented as a callous murderer.

8. Despite its tragic dimensions, Hamlet includes humorous scenes and many witty lines delivered by the title character himself. Locate those scenes and lines, and then determine the tone and purpose of the play’s humor.

The humor in Hamlet serves to provide a contrast to the tragedy of the play. It serves to provide comic relief and to make the audience laugh. The humor is often dark and sarcastic and is used to make the audience think about the tragedy of the play. The humor is often used to emphasize the complexity of Hamlet’s situation and to make the audience sympathize with his plight.