Hamlet Act IV Quiz

Why doesn’t Claudius simply kill Hamlet and be done with it? Provide two reasons: Claudius does not simply kill Hamlet because the public loves Hamlet and is unaware of his “acting up.” Also, Gertrude loves Hamlet.
Why does Hamlet call Claudius, “my mother”? Hamlet calls Claudius “my mother” to insult him. Hamlet says that Claudius was an uncle that married a mother to get into the throne making him a women that did not deserve the position.
Explain what happens as Hamlet is making his way to the ship. Who does he encounter? What is the context of the conversation? Hamlet encounters Fortinbras’ head general. The general tells him how they will be marching through Denmark into Poland for a piece of land they want. The land is supposedly unimportant, but Poland is wiling to defend it. After this conversation, Hamlet realizes how so many men are willing to defend something so useless, yet he has not gotten revenge yet. This conversation sparks his next soliloquy.
What message does Ophelia attempt to convey to the king and queen through her songs? Do they understand her message? What does Claudius believe is the source of her grief? Ophelia attempts to convey to the king and queen through her songs how she is no longer a virgin. She also conveys the issue of the double standard, how it’s okay if young men sleep around, but if women do, they lose all worth. They do not understand her message. Claudius believes the source of her grief is Polonius’ death.
Describe the three point plan that Claudius and Laertes come up with to kill Hamlet: Claudius and Laertes decide to have Hamlet and Laertes fence. Laertes will have a sharp and pointed epee dipped in poison with which to kill Hamlet with during the competition. If this plan backfires, Claudius will give Hamlet a poison drink to ensure his death.
“Oh heavy deed!/ It had been so with is, had we been there/ His liberty is full of threats to us all – / To you yourself, to us, to everyone” (4.1.12-14). Claudius says this after he finds out Hamlet murdered Polonius. This shows how truly selfish he is. Rather than showing some emotion over the lost of Polonius, he is relieved it was not him.
“I am glad of it. A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear” (4.2.22). Hamlet says this to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet calls them sponges. They reply with confusion. Then Hamlet insults them by calling them fools incapable of comprehending.
“How all occasions do inform against me,/ And spur my dull revenge! What is a man/ If his chief good and market of his time/ Be but to sleep and feed?” (4..4.31-34). Hamlet says this in one of his soliloquies. He talks of his misfortune and how this series of unfortunate events have hampered opportunity for revenge. He also goes on to say that how can man be so brilliant if all they do is work, sleep , and eat everyday.
“That drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me bastard,/ Cries ‘Cuckold!’ to my father. Brands the ‘harlot’/ Even here between the chaste unsmirched brow/ Of my true mother” (4.5.117-119). Laertes says this to Claudius. He says that if he does not get revenge, then he must be a bastard, his mom a *****, and his father a cuckold. He’s emphasizing the need for revenge.
“There is a willow grows aslant a brook/ That shows his hoar leaves in the glass stream./ There with fantastic garlands did she come/ Of crowflowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples,/ That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,/ But our cold maids do ‘dead men’s call them” (4.7.165-170). Gertrude says this to Claudius and Laertes. She is recalling to them what Ophelia is doing before she dies.
September 3, 2019