Hamlet Acts III, IV, and V Study Guide

In Hamlet's "To Be or Not to Be" soliloquy, as he considers suicide, what is he saying about life and death? Why does Hamlet consider suicide?

He says most are fearful of dying, not knowing for sure what awaits and because once we make that decision to commit suicide we cannot return. He wants to rest from his need to take action and he wants relief from his emotional pain.

As Hamlet talks with his mother Gertrude about what happened to his father he is extremely angry. Why does he back down from the argument with his mom?

The ghost of hamlet appears and tells him to leave her alone.

Why does Claudius' praying stop Hamlet from killing him?

Hamlet delays killing Claudius because he believes Claudius might be sincere if so his soul might be saved and he would go to heaven.

What is The Murder of Gonzago?

Also known as The Mousetrap, is a play Hamlet has performed in order to unveil his uncle's innocence or guilt in the death of his father.

Where is Polonius hiding when he is murdered? Who murders him?

He was hiding behind a curtain or tapestry. Hamlet killed Polonius.

What does Hamlet explain to his mother about his madness? (lines 203-218)

He has been acting crazy when he's actually not crazy.

How does Hamlet treat Ophelia in this Act?

He acted very aggressive and not very nicely.

Why is Hamlet treating Ophelia this way?

He warns her about bad things approaching and there will be a curse if she chooses to stay with him. He is taking out his anger from his mom on her too.

Who eavesdrops on Hamlet and Ophelia when they finally get to talk? Who still believes that Hamlet is mad because of his unreturned love from Ophelia?

Claudius and Polonius are listening in on their conversation and becomes angry at Ophelia for betraying him like that, thus telling her all these mean and hurtful things. Polonius thinks Hamlet is mad crazy for Ophelia.

What does Claudius want Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern to do with Hamlet after he kills Polonius?

Claudius orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take Hamlet to England.

Explain why Hamlet compares himself to a musical pipe. Think about how Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are treating him. (lines 370-402)

The reason that he compares himself to a pipe is because Hamlet believes that Guildenstern is trying to manipulate him into talking about his behavior. He's being played like a fool by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Explain the following quote from Act III: "Neither a borrower nor a lender be". Who says it?

Polonius says, "Neither a borrower nor a lender be; / For loan oft loses both itself and friend." It means do not lend or borrow money from a friend, because if you do so, you will lose both your friend and your money. Polonius is giving this advice to hi

What does Hamlet instruct Horatio to do before the play? What does he admire about Horatio?

He wants Horatio to help him watch the king's reaction. He admires Horatio's honesty and loyalty.

Who does Hamlet call a sponge and why?

Rosencrantz because he has soaked up all the benefits of Claudius's authority.

Compare/contrast Hamlet's response to his dad's death with that of Laertes.

Both Hamlet and Laertes want revenge for their father's deaths but Laertes acts immediately as Hamlet waits.

What two facts does the king realize when he is told about Hamlet's killing of Polonius?

1. it was supposed to be him who hamlet killed.
2. Claudius will be the one blamed for not restraining Hamlet.

Explain the quote " Not where he eats, but where he is eaten" in reference to one of the places that Hamlet tells Claudius that Polonius' body is.

He is basically saying that he has already been buried when he is saying he is being eaten by worms.

At the beginning of scene 5, Horatio, Gertrude, and a gentleman of the court discuss Ophelia. What has happened to her?

She went insane. Ophelia's mental state may attract undue attention to herself and the crown.

In Hamlet's soliloquy he sees Fortinbras and his men marching across Denmark to Poland to fight for a strip of land that is worth very little. This makes him say the following in reference to these men:"who go to their graves like bed". What does he mean

It's saying that Hamlet watched twenty thousand men go marching to their deaths for an illusion and a little bit of fame, fighting for a tiny piece of land not even big enough to bury them all.

Explain the circumstances behind Ophelia's death.

The image of Ophelia singing while she drowns suggests that Ophelia was comfortable and content in that state, and perhaps she even felt relief that death was imminent. There is no mention of a struggle or resistance or shouts for help, which would all ma

There is a _______ growing by the bank and that is where Ophelia dies.

willow

What does Claudius want England to do to Hamlet? How does Hamlet get out of this, and who is this done to instead later in Act V?

Claudius wanted Hamlet to be killed. The pirates attack and take Hamlet. Hamlet takes the letter and rewords it to say that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are to be killed. So now Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are bringing their own death note back to Cladiu

Why doesn't Claudius want to prosecute Hamlet for the death of Polonius?

Claudius explains that he acted as he did, burying Polonius secretly and not punishing Hamlet for the murder, because both the common people and the queen love Hamlet very much. ... The king speculates that if Hamlet could be tempted into a duel with Laer

Why does King Claudius want Hamlet dead now that he has returned and how is he going to accomplish this without it appearing to be as a result of foul play?

Hamlet's behavior is more of a threat to Claudius. Hamlet is going to fight Laertes in a duel. The pointed sword for Laertes is going to be a poison tipped to kill Hamlet. And the cup of wine is also poisoned in the case that Laertes didn't win or kill Ha

How is Laertes a foil to Hamlet here?

He also seeks revenge for the death of his father, the king. Fortinbras goes about his revenge is a different way than Laertes and Hamlet though.

According to Laertes, why does he stop his tears when he finds out about Ophelia's death?

He forbids himself from crying because, as he puts it, Ophelia has already had too much water.

Why does Fortinbras end up in Denmark?

In order to avenge his father's death, Fortinbras invades Denmark and ends up taking the Danish crown for himself.

Why are the gravediggers debating whether or not Ophelia should have a Christian burial or not?

The penultimate scene of the play begins with the two clowns digging a grave for the late Ophelia. They debate whether she should be allowed to have a Christian burial, because she committed suicide.

Whose skull does Hamlet pick up out of the grave? What kind of memories does he have of him?

Hamlet picks up a skull, and the gravedigger tells him that the skull belonged to Yorick, King Hamlet's jester. Hamlet tells Horatio that as a child he knew Yorick and is appalled at the sight of the skull.

At one point who first jumps into Ophelia's grave and why?

Laertes leaps into Ophelia's grave to hold her once again in his arms.

Who follows Laertes into Ophelia's grave and why?

Hamlet leaps into Ophelia's grave and attacks Laertes. Hamlet and Laertes are eventually separated, and Hamlet expresses his love for Ophelia by saying, "I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love Make up my sum

What does Hamlet do to assure Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's death?

He changes the letter to where Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are to be put to death instead of Hamlet.

Hamlet apologizes for killing his dad and blames it on ____________.

Laertes

Who does Laertes forgive in the end and why?

Laertes forgives Hamlet for killing his father, recognizing that Hamlet's madness throughout all of the events of the play was the result of his knowledge of the Claudius's treachery. Claudius was Hamlet Sr. 's killer.

How is Claudius killed?

Hamlet stabs Claudius through with the poisoned sword and forces him to drink down the rest of the poisoned wine.

Who will likely take over Denmark?

Fortinbras

Who is still alive in the final scene?

Horatio and Fortinbras, Osric, and Ambassador.

Who is still alive and knows the whole story and will be able to tell what happened?

Horatio remains alive in order to tell the whole story. He is the only one left alive who knows the truth from beginning to end will be able to exonerate Hamlet.