Act III Discussion questions--remember, you are to answer ONE questions and respond to at least ONE other person's answer by building on it with evidence, or your own additional analysis.
What is the subject of Hamlet's second soliloquy, the famous "To be, or not to be" speech? Explain why he is struggling with this concept so much right now.
Why is he so cruel to Ophelia immediately thereafter? Which of the two schools of thought we discussed in class do you agree with here? Is he protecting or rejecting her?
What happens in the "play within a play"? How do the speeches and actions reflect on events in the kingdom of Denmark? How does the king respond? Why does the king respond in this way?
In what way is Hamlet's second major interaction with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern different from his first encounter with them? What does he know now that he didn't know before?
Why does Hamlet decline to take action against Claudius when he is in the chapel? What does this say about Hamlet's tension between pagan and Christian beliefs?
What happens when Hamlet is with his mother? Why is this death so important for the play, or what does the death of this figure represent? Given this incident, what do you think Hamlet will do now?
Based on evidence from the play, did Gertrude know about the murder? Give at least two examples/evidences from act 4.
When the ghost appears to Hamlet, how does Hamlets attitude and treatment of his mother change? Why?
Hamlet did not chose to kill Claudius in the chapel when he had the perfect opportunity because he refuses to let him go to Heaven since he was appearing to be confessing his sins. This shows that Hamlet may use pagan beliefs to apply great imagery towards his father, friends, and enemies but in the end Christianity trumps outcomes as was seen when Hamlet in his time of depression refused to commit suicide or now shown in this moment.
ReplyDeleteEven though Hamlet does not kill Claudius now he does still want to get his revenge as he plans to find some other time to kill him when he is not confessing his sins because he wants Claudius to go to hell just like his father
DeleteIts important to note that hamlet also does not want to kill the king because he doesnt want to ruin his own plans of going to heaven
DeleteHamlet is too scared to kill Claudius because he is scared of what happens in the after-life. But now that he already commited a sin by killing polonius maybe he wont be scared to get his revenge.
DeleteWhile the play is going on the whole town is there to watch. Claudius and Gertrude sit in the back to watch as Hamlet and Ophelia do as well. When the play starts there is not immediate actions. But as the play continues Hamlet watches Claudius and once the scene where the king (Hamlet's Father) is laying down and the Player playing the evil guy poisons the king Claudius begins to have bigger reactions. Claudius begins to walk towards the stage and seems to be going towards the crown. Claudius reacts this way because he had an urge to be the King of Denmark the whole time giving away that he killed the Old King Hamlet. Then after the crowd is all starring at him he tries to play it off and eventually has to leave the auditorium.
ReplyDeleteThis confirms Hamlets beleifs that Claudias killed his father. This is the first time in the book where he seems to take a step foward towards revenge and avengeing his fathers death. After Claudias leaves the adutorium Hamlet begins celabrating because he knows hes not crazy
DeleteI think the most important thing it confirms is the guilt that Claudius feel. It also helps Hamlet feel better about the revenge he is plotting, because he feels certain that Claudius murdured King Hamlet.
DeleteHamlet is starting to freak out and yell at his mom about the murder of his dad when the ghost comes back. The ghost originally told Hamlet to leave his mom alone and let the gilt punish her. But he lets his emotions over power him. When the ghost comes back he is upset with Hamlet for not listening and to him and reminds him that the guilt is enough. After the ghost leaves Hamlets tone and attitude changes completely. He also then asks did you not see or hear that? Refering to the ghost. Then when she says no he asks his mom to please not say anything to Claudias because hes not crazy.
ReplyDeleteHamlet freaks out at his mother about her incestious actions among other things when the ghost of his father appears. Origionally the ghost told him not to mess with his mother and let her thornes pierce her breast. As the ghost appears a second time, hamlets freak out immedietly changes
ReplyDeleteHe changes his attitude for the better and because he suddenly is reminded of what he has been told. He has a whole new attitude on the way he see's things than what he has before the ghost appeared. He is also pretty scared because he thinks maybe something will happen to him.
DeleteI think he is also still unsure whether or not the ghost is the devil and that is a big reason why he is scared of the ghost.
DeleteIn the play inside of the play it revels many very important things about Denmark and the kingdom. It displayed how weak the kingdom of denmark really was because of how the king acted from the results of the play. The king was so shocked and histerical, it showed hamlet that he realy did murder bis father.This also reveled that maybe his mother new about the murder.She acted calm like she did not know anything about it, but when Hamlet confronts her about it she acts really wierd.
ReplyDeleteWhy did their conversation become so sexual? That makes Hamlet a hypocrite because he complains about how sick his mother and uncles actions are yet he while actually being a blood relative comes onto her.
DeleteWhen in the castle speaking with his mother, Hamlet becomes enraged ad accidentally kills Polonius. This completely changes his previous views about murder. He has already killed a man and he is nnow equivalent now to Claudius. Now he begins to realize his situation. Because of the murder, he is technically sentenced to hell. This creates a new perspective of how he should handle Claudius- killing him or not.
ReplyDeleteBy killing Claudius he has nothing left to loose so in many ways he has nothing left to loose. This newfound freedom has given his the ability to do whatever he wants.
DeleteSo then hamlet will do whatever it takes to avenge for his fathers death no matter the consequences
DeleteHamlet's second soliloquy " to be or not to be" is Hamlet contemplating if it is worth it to fight or to give up. Hamlet is contemplating suicide. He is wavering on his own personal strengths. The concept of suicide is a struggle for Hamlet because he would have to go against everyone in order to complete his act of revenge possible hurting those he cares for.
ReplyDeleteHamlet is struggling with himself on whether it's worth avenging his father or not. Hamlet wonders if it'd be easier for him to kill himself than to kill Claudius.
DeleteIn Hamlet's Famous "To be, or not to be" speech he is trying to figure out whether the rest of his life is worth living or not. "Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or take arms against a sea of troubles and, by opposing, end them. The reason he can't pick suicide is because he is afraid of death and the unknown. "For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come?" says Hamlet. But his deep depression for the loss of his father along with the hatred for his mother and uncle makes him want to be dead.
ReplyDeleteHamlet also decides against diving because he knows he must get revenge for his father's death.
DeleteIn the play within a play, it mirrored what Hamlet believed to be how his father had died. On the stage, the actors acted out the pouring of the poison, as well as the wedding of the wife and the murderer. The king and queen were outraged. They knew Hamlet had something to do with it, but their anger only confirmed what Hamlet's suspicion.
ReplyDeleteI wonder though if it was also an exposure of guilt and surprise that showed in their reaction. No normal person would run off unless he saw something that invokes extreme fear or guilt.
DeleteHamlet chose to not murder Claudius in the chapel, because Claudius was praying. Hamlet thought that if he killed Claudius while he was confessing his sins that Claudius would go to heaven. Hamlet didn't want Claudius to go to heaven, because his father wasn't able to confess his sins before he died, therefore Claudius doesn't deserve to go to heaven either. Hamlet follows more of the Christian beliefs or lifestyles of the time due the fact that he couldn't bring himself to kill Claudius while he was praying, whereas if Hamlet didn't follow the Christian beliefs that he did, he most likely would've murdered Claudius right then and there.
ReplyDelete(What is the subject of Hamlet's second soliloquy, the famous "To be, or not to be" speech? Explain why he is struggling with this concept so much right now.) Hamlet is overlooking life and death as a whole. Suicide or living, it's his fear of the afterlife that keeps him breathing and his want to live.
ReplyDelete(What is the subject of Hamlet's second soliloquy, the famous "To be, or not to be" speech? Explain why he is struggling with this concept so much right now.) Hamlet is overlooking life and death as a whole. Suicide or living, it's his fear of the afterlife that keeps him breathing and his want to live.
ReplyDeleteHamlets attitude changes Jurassic he starts to panic and freak out when the ghost appears because he finds out about his mothers shameful actions and although the ghost had told him to leave his mother alone, that she would be punished another way. He couldn't keep it to himself he had to go call his mother out for her actions cause his emotions of being upset and furious had taken over, but when the ghost had appeared at that moment he asked his mother if she could see it and she had no clue what he had was talking about.
ReplyDeleteShe thought he was mad because she couldn't see the ghost and because he went from being rude to her to treating her like his mother in a split second
DeleteWhen the ghost appears to Hamlet while he was going off on his mother about everything that had happened since he couldn't hold it any longer, he changes and acts way different. Once the ghost comes in he gets shocked and a little scared then he starts to treat his mother better with more respect than what he was just doing. His attitude had changed from much anger to a little more calm and relaxed. He does this because he is scared of the ghost. He remembers what the ghost had said to him before this event that something will eventually happen to her and to leave his mother alone.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Hamlet didnt listen to what the ghost had said about leaving his mother alone because he was upset and not in his right mind so he had to confront his mother on her action she deserved to give him an answer
DeleteHamlets tone had changed pretty big when he saw the ghost and the ghost had told him about his mothers past actions. When the ghost told Hamlet to let her guilt punish. He did the exact opposite and went to yell at his mother.
ReplyDelete*punish her for her bad actions.
Delete*punish her for her bad actions.
DeleteThe ghost was very specific about Hamlet's anger towards his mother. He told her that God would be the judge of her actions, however, Hamlet forgets this because of all the insanity things that he had been going through. I agree with you Laurie, I think he's character hasn't remained true to itself
DeleteThe Ghost appears while hamlet is yelling at his mother and reminds him to be more peaceful and respectful towards her. He completely changes his attitude and starts referring to her with respect and compassion. I believe this is because he is scared of the ghost and still doesn't know if it is the devil. He also wants to honor his fathers wishes.
ReplyDeleteSebastian Gralla
I completely agree, he still doesn't know for sure if the ghost is his dad or if it is the devil so he decides to change his attitude to respect his father or because of fear for the devil.
DeleteThey ghost could also be a defense mechanism as Gertrude cant see it
DeleteHamlet does't act on killing Claudius in the chapel because Claudius is praying for forgiveness and if he kills him then Claudius will go to heaven because he prayed for forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteHamlet does't act on killing Claudius in the chapel because Claudius is praying for forgiveness and if he kills him then Claudius will go to heaven because he prayed for forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteThe Ghost reappears when Hamlet is talking to his Mom. The purpose of the ghost coming back is for him to remind Hamlet to not be too mad with his mother and to not take out his revenge on her. This makes Hamlet change and be more nice to his mother, either because he wants to respect his father's wishes or because he is scared the ghost is the devil.
ReplyDeleteHamlet did not want his uncle, Claudius going to heaven because of something kind this that happened. He doesn't known if ghost is the devil or not and decides to honor his wishes to respect and be more peaceful with hamlets mom
ReplyDeleteI agree with this although, I believe he can't decide if the ghost is the devil or his dads ghost, and wants to respect its wishes and do what he's told either way.
DeleteHamlet's "To be or, not to be" speech is personally my favorite. In this beautiful speech he goes in depth about life and the main purpose of living. He explores the idea of death and what is after death. He explains this when he says, "To die, to sleep—
ReplyDeleteNo more—and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished! To die, to sleep." (3.1.) He doesn't see the purpose of living but he is also afraid of death because he doesn't know what might come after it. Hamlet struggles so much with the death because his beloved father was murdered and he wants to seek revenge but he doesn't know what is the right thing to do.
I think Hamlet's speech represents the dangerous depression and conflicts Hamlet is going through, and Hamlet’s complex dark reaction to the most simplest things in life. I agree he is confused on what he has to do.
DeleteOverall, Hamlet believes that if he kills himself he will not get to seek the revenge Claudius deserves.
DeleteQuestion 4: King Hamlet's Ghost reappears to Hamlet, but only Hamlet can see him. Hamlet believes that the Ghost has come to chide his tardy son into carrying out the "dread command," but Hamlet then perceives the Ghost as his mother's protector. I also agree hamlet is very confused in his own mind and he is highly depressed. The ghost is scaring/confusing hamlet and he also is stressing about Ophelia.
DeleteHamlet's "to be or not to be" speech is about wether or not to commit suicide. With everything that has happened to and around Hamlet, from his uncle killing his father, and his mother marrying the uncle that he hates, Hamlet is extremely depressed. His speech shows him deciding wether risking the unknown of killing himself is better than having to live the rest of his life as painful as it is. He ends up deciding against it out of fear of the unknown and unfulfilled revenge for his father's death.
ReplyDeleteIn Hamlet's second soliloquy he asks himself is it better to be alive or dead? Is it nobler to put up with all the nasty things that luck throws your way, or to fight against all those troubles by simply putting an end to them once and for all? Hamlet shares his thoughts of pointless living and suicidal thoughts. He cannot distinguish if living is good or bad now, and at the same time he doesn’t know what exists after death which puts him at a question. Since Hamlet is stating this for himself, I am assuming that he is indeed mentally ill and suffering from depression due to all the crisis. Is this foreshadowing? Will Hamlet choose death over living?
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said. adding on to what you said, Hamlet is scared of the unknown. That the unknown could be worse than the problems he had before. I think it is interesting to think this could possibly be foreshadowing.
DeletepIn Hamlet's second soliloquy, "To be or not to be", is really about him thinking if he is really better off dead. He contemplates and rips himself apart, bringing up all the negative characteristics and things about himself. In the soliloquy he mentions that although it sounds nice, his conscious is too much of a coward to let himself do that.
ReplyDeleteHamlet`s soliloquy, "To be or not to be" is all about him contemplating whether or not it is worth it to keep on living and not just kill himself. Hamlet also thinks about the consequences that would come along with everything.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your response. Too add, towards the end he wants to stay alive in order fulfill his fathers revenge and kill his uncle.
DeleteWhen Claudius is in the chapel, Hamlet has the perfect opportunity to kill him. However Hamlet does not, this is because Claudius is in the midst of praying and confessing his sins to God. If Hamlet were to kill him, Claudius would go to Heaven because he just confessed his sins and Hamlet does not want to happen. He wants him to suffer and be damned to hell. This shows Hamlet believes more in the Christianity and how if they confess their sins before death they will be welcomed in heaven.
ReplyDeleteIn Hamlets soliloquy "To Be Or Not To Be" he contemplates suicide. He compares death to a sleep. A sleep that ends the pain which is something Hamlet desires. However Hamlet comes to the conclusion that people do not kill themselves to end the pain because we are scared of the unknown and the afterlife. Hamlet also says we prefer the trouble we know which I believe is extremely true.
ReplyDeleteHamlets "to be or not to be" passage is about Hamlet debating whether or not he should commit suicide. He says that it would be like sleeping forever, but he also wonders if he should push through all his struggles.
ReplyDeleteHamlet feels rejected by Ophilia, thats why he treats her so poorly, in phycology its called displacement.
ReplyDelete