World Literature Semester 1 Final Notes PDF

World Literature Semester 1 Final Notes Hamlet Act 1,2,3,4, & 5 Hamlet Character list: **Hamlet**: Prince of Denmark; returns from Wittenberg to find his father dead, mother married to Claudius, and Claudius crowned king. **Claudius**: Hamlet's uncle; killed King Hamlet, married Gertrude, an...

World Literature Semester 1 Final Notes Hamlet Act 1,2,3,4, & 5 Hamlet Character list: **Hamlet**: Prince of Denmark; returns from Wittenberg to find his father dead, mother married to Claudius, and Claudius crowned king. **Claudius**: Hamlet's uncle; killed King Hamlet, married Gertrude, and usurped the throne. **Gertrude**: Hamlet's mother; widow of King Hamlet, now Claudius' wife. **The Ghost**: The Spirit of King Hamlet; seeks justice for his murder. **Polonius**: Elderly advisor to Claudius; father of Laertes and Ophelia. **Horatio**: Hamlet's loyal friend and former classmate. **Laertes**: Son of Polonius; Ophelia's brother; seeks revenge for Polonius' death. **Ophelia**: Polonius' daughter; Hamlet's love interest. **Rosencrantz & Guildenstern**: Hamlet's classmates; spy on him for Claudius. **Fortinbras**: King of Norway; seeks revenge for his father's death. **Osric**: Courtier; umpire of Hamlet and Laertes' duel. **Voltimand & Cornelius**: Courtiers sent to Norway as ambassadors. **Marcellus, Barnardo, & Francisco**: Guards at Elsinore Castle. ***The Tragedy of Hamlet*, Act 1** **Background** - Set in the royal court of Denmark. - King Hamlet recently died; his brother Claudius married Queen Gertrude and became king. - Prince Hamlet is deeply mourning his father and resents his mother's quick marriage to Claudius. **Scene 1: The Ghost\'s Appearance** - Setting: Midnight on a guard platform. - Soldiers Barnardo, Marcellus, and Horatio see the Ghost, resembling King Hamlet in battle armor. - Horatio views the Ghost as an omen of trouble in Denmark. - They decide to inform Prince Hamlet about the Ghost. **Scene 2: Claudius's Court and Hamlet's Grief** - Setting: Morning, in the castle's royal hall. - Claudius discusses grief over King Hamlet's death and joy at his marriage to Gertrude. - He sends letters to stop Prince Fortinbras of Norway from attacking Denmark. - Claudius permits Laertes to return to France. - Claudius and Gertrude urge Hamlet to end his mourning and stay in Denmark. - Hamlet left alone, delivers a soliloquy expressing despair over his father's death and his mother's remarriage. - Horatio and the guards tell Hamlet about the Ghost. Hamlet decides to meet it that night. **Scene 3: Polonius's Advice and Ophelia's Dilemma** - Setting: Polonius's private chambers. - Laertes warns Ophelia about Hamlet's intentions, emphasizing his royal obligations. - Polonius advises Laertes before his departure and warns Ophelia not to trust Hamlet. **Scene 4: Hamlet Meets the Ghost** - Setting: Night on the guard platform. - Hamlet, Horatio, and Marcellus await the Ghost. - The Ghost signals Hamlet to follow it; Hamlet agrees despite warnings. - Marcellus remarks, \"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.\" **Scene 5: The Ghost\'s Revelation** - Setting: Castle walls. - The Ghost reveals that Claudius murdered King Hamlet by pouring poison in his ear. - The Ghost demands Hamlet seek revenge but spare Gertrude. - Hamlet vows to focus solely on revenge. - He swears Horatio and Marcellus to secrecy and warns them of his impending feigned madness. **Key Themes in Act I** - **Revenge**: The Ghost sets the central revenge plot in motion. - **Betrayal**: Claudius's murder and Gertrude's marriage. - **Grief**: Hamlet's deep mourning contrasts with others' indifference. - **Madness**: Foreshadowing Hamlet's feigned insanity. **Important Quotes** - *"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."* -- Marcellus, Scene 4. - *"This above all: to thine own self be true."* -- Polonius, Scene 3. - *"The time is out of joint. O cursed spite, / That ever I was born to set it right!"* -- Hamlet, Scene 5. **Analysis Questions from HMH:**  **Question:**\ Reread Gertrude's Words of the Wiser to Hamlet in Act I, Scene 2, lines 68--73, and Hamlet's reaction to them. What does this exchange reveal about Hamlet's relationship with his mother?\ **Answer:**\ The exchange reveals tension in their relationship. Gertrude urges Hamlet to stop grieving and move on, showing her lack of understanding of his deep sorrow. Hamlet feels hurt and betrayed by her quick remarriage, which has strained their bond. **Question:**\ In Scene 2, lines 112--117, Claudius urges Hamlet to stay at court instead of returning to Wittenberg. What might he be concerned about?\ **Answer:**\ Claudius might be concerned that Hamlet will be harder to control if he returns to Wittenberg. He wants to keep Hamlet close to monitor his behavior, as Hamlet's grief and suspicion could threaten Claudius's position. The Ghost's later revelation confirms that Claudius has reasons to worry. **Question:**\ Reread lines 129--159 of Scene 2. What does this soliloquy suggest about Hamlet's state of mind at this point in the play?\ **Answer:**\ The soliloquy suggests that Hamlet is deeply depressed and disillusioned. He is grieving his father, disgusted by his mother's remarriage, and feels that life is meaningless. His despair reflects his emotional turmoil and inner conflict. **Question:**\ Even before the Ghost reveals Claudius's crime, Hamlet has harsh feelings toward him. What do Claudius's speeches in Scene 2 suggest about his character?\ **Answer:**\ Claudius's speeches in Scene 2 reveal that he is manipulative and politically shrewd. He presents himself as caring and capable, but his actions expose his selfishness and his desire to secure his power. **Question:**\ In Scene 5, lines 173--185, Hamlet asks Horatio and Marcellus not to give him away if he starts to act strange. What does this remark hint at about his plans to deal with Claudius?\ **Answer:**\ Hamlet's remark hints that he plans to feign madness as a way to investigate Claudius's guilt without raising suspicion. This will be a key part of his strategy to avenge his father's murder. ***The Tragedy of Hamlet*, Act 2** **Scene 1** 1. **Polonius's Plan:** - Polonius sends a servant to Paris to spy on Laertes and gather information about his behavior. - This shows Polonius's manipulative and distrustful nature. 2. **Hamlet and Ophelia:** - Ophelia tells Polonius about Hamlet's odd and rough behavior toward her. - Polonius concludes that Hamlet is mad with love for Ophelia, calling it the "ecstasy of love." - He plans to report this to King Claudius. **Scene 2** 1. **Claudius's Investigation:** - Claudius invites Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet's childhood friends, to spy on Hamlet and uncover the cause of his strange behavior. 2. **Polonius's Theory:** - Polonius believes Hamlet's madness stems from his love for Ophelia. - He reads a romantic letter from Hamlet to Ophelia to Claudius and Gertrude. 3. **Spying on Hamlet:** - Polonius suggests that they spy on Hamlet during a conversation with Ophelia. 4. **Hamlet's Behavior:** - Hamlet speaks in riddles to Polonius, suggesting madness while hinting at deeper meanings in his words. - Polonius notices these hidden meanings. 5. **Rosencrantz and Guildenstern:** - Hamlet quickly realizes that they were sent to spy on him by Claudius and Gertrude. 6. **The Players (Actors):** - Traveling actors arrive to perform for Hamlet. - Hamlet requests a moving speech about \"Hecuba and Priam\" and praises the actor for expressing genuine emotion. - He plans for the players to perform "The Murder of Gonzago" with an additional 12-line speech he will write. 7. **Hamlet's Reflection:** - Alone, Hamlet criticizes himself for his inability to act on his feelings of revenge compared to the actor's emotional performance. - He hopes the play will reveal Claudius's guilt. **Analysis Questions from HMH:** A screenshot of a cell phone Description automatically generated **Question:** In Act II, Scene 1, lines 78--101, Ophelia describes what happened when Hamlet visited her. Did he just pretend to be mad in that encounter, or could he have been genuinely disturbed because of what he had learned about his father's murder?\ **Answer:** Hamlet likely pretended to be mad during this encounter to support his plan of feigned madness. His warning to Horatio and Marcellus at the end of Act I indicates he planned to act strangely. However, his genuine feelings for Ophelia and distress over his father\'s murder may have influenced his behavior. **Question:** In Scene 2, line 246, Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that "Denmark's a prison." How does this statement reflect his situation at the Danish court?\ **Answer:** Hamlet feels trapped in court due to the constant spying, deceit, and inability to express himself freely. The corruption and betrayal surrounding him make Denmark feel oppressive and confining. **Question:** Reread Hamlet's speech in Scene 2, lines 309--316. What internal conflict does he express here?\ **Answer:** Hamlet struggles with self-doubt and frustration over his inaction. He criticizes himself for failing to take decisive steps to avenge his father, comparing his inaction to the passion displayed by the players. **Question:** The speech recited by the First Player in Scene 2, lines 476--505, tells the story of Pyrrhus. How does this Greek mythological figure serve as a foil for Hamlet?\ **Answer:** Pyrrhus, like Hamlet, seeks revenge for his father. However, Pyrrhus acts decisively and violently, contrasting Hamlet's hesitation and introspection. This highlights Hamlet's internal conflict and delays in seeking revenge. **Question:** At the end of Act II, Hamlet reveals his plan for testing Claudius's guilt. Why might Shakespeare have chosen a theatrical performance for this purpose?\ **Answer:** A theatrical performance mirrors the theme of appearance versus reality in the play. It allows Hamlet to observe Claudius's reaction in a public yet controlled setting, using art to reveal the truth. ***The Tragedy of Hamlet*, Act 3** **Scene 1** - Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report to Claudius that they don't know why Hamlet is behaving strangely. - Claudius and Polonius spy on a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia to determine if he is lovesick. - Hamlet delivers the famous \"To be, or not to be\" soliloquy about existence. - When speaking to Ophelia, Hamlet sends mixed messages, alternately claiming he loves her and denying it. He insults her and tells her to go to a nunnery. - Claudius concludes that Hamlet's behavior is not caused by love but does not seem mad. **Scene 2** - Hamlet coaches the actors to ensure their performance mirrors reality. - The play, similar to King Hamlet's murder, depicts a king being poisoned. Claudius reacts angrily and storms out, confirming his guilt to Hamlet and Horatio. - Hamlet berates Rosencrantz and Guildenstern for spying on him. Alone, he resolves to act on his revenge. **Scene 3** - Claudius decides to send Hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. - Alone, Claudius prays and confesses to murdering his brother, comparing his crime to Cain's. - Hamlet observes Claudius praying but refrains from killing him, as Claudius might go to heaven. **Scene 4** - Hamlet confronts Gertrude in her chamber, accusing her of betrayal through her marriage to Claudius. - Polonius, hiding behind a curtain, cries out when Gertrude screams. Hamlet stabs him, killing him. - The ghost of King Hamlet appears, urging Hamlet to be gentle with his mother. Gertrude cannot see the ghost. - Hamlet demands Gertrude repent and not reveal his plans. He also shares his knowledge of Claudius's scheme to send him to England. - Hamlet leaves, dragging Polonius's body. Gertrude informs Claudius that Hamlet is mad and has killed Polonius. **Analysis Questions from HMH:**  **1. Evaluate: Review Hamlet's dialogue with Ophelia in Act III, Scene 1, and during the performance by the players in Scene 2. Do these encounters lead you to adjust ideas you formed earlier about his character? Explain why or why not. Answer:** Yes, Hamlet's interactions with Ophelia show his internal conflict. His harsh behavior towards her reveals his emotional turmoil. The play's performance highlights Hamlet's intelligence and strategy, showing him as a complex character struggling with both emotion and revenge. **2. Analyze: Reread lines 58--76 in Scene 2. What does Hamlet admire about Horatio? How does Shakespeare use Horatio to help develop the play's plot? Answer:** Hamlet admires Horatio's calmness and rationality. Horatio contrasts Hamlet's emotional state, providing a steady presence. He helps develop the plot by confirming Claudius's guilt during the play, advancing Hamlet's plan for revenge. **3. Compare: Shakespeare reveals Claudius's true thoughts in his aside in Scene 1, lines 50--55, and his soliloquy in Scene 3, lines 36--72. How does your impression of him in these moments differ from the way he presents himself earlier in the play? Answer:** Claudius's soliloquies show his guilt and inner turmoil, unlike his earlier confident and manipulative persona. His internal conflict reveals him as more complex and tormented by his crime, which adds depth to his character. **4. Analyze: In Shakespeare's plays, a climax, or turning point, usually occurs in the third act when something happens that clarifies the outcome of the central conflict. Where does this climax occur in Act III of *Hamlet*? Explain your response. Answer:** The climax occurs in Scene 2 during the play's performance, when Claudius reacts to the scene mirroring his crime. His guilt is revealed, confirming the ghost's accusation and driving Hamlet's actions forward. **5. Synthesize: Soon after Hamlet decides against killing Claudius while he is praying, he mistakes Polonius for the king and kills him without hesitation. What does this combination of events suggest about revenge? Answer:** This suggests that revenge can be impulsive and lead to unintended consequences. Hamlet's decision to spare Claudius shows his desire for justice, but the accidental killing of Polonius demonstrates how revenge can spiral out of control. ***The Tragedy of Hamlet*, Act 4** **Act 4 Scene 1** - **Rosencrantz and Guildenstern** search for Hamlet, but he refuses to speak openly, claiming he keeps his \"own counsel.\" - He criticizes them for being manipulated by Claudius, calling them a \"sponge\" that gets squeezed for information and then discarded. - Hamlet avoids answering their questions, speaking in riddles about the location of Polonius\' body. **Act 4 Scene 2** - **Claudius** is concerned about Hamlet\'s popularity with the people of Denmark and fears he cannot punish him too harshly. - When Claudius asks Hamlet about Polonius\' body, Hamlet answers in riddles, finally saying the body will \"smell\" as they go upstairs. - Claudius decides Hamlet must go to England for his safety, but secretly sends orders for Hamlet\'s death once there. **Act 4 Scene 3** - **Fortinbras** speaks with a captain, ordering him to request permission from Denmark to march across the country on his way to Poland. **Act 4 Scene 4** - **Ophelia** visits the queen and sings sad songs. Claudius and Gertrude agree that Ophelia's madness is caused by her grief over her father\'s death. - **Laertes** returns to Denmark, enraged over Polonius\' death. He is shocked by Ophelia's mental state and vows revenge against Hamlet, calling for a dishonorable burial for him. **Act 4 Scene 6** - **Claudius** reveals to **Laertes** that Hamlet has escaped punishment because the people still love him. - News arrives that Hamlet has returned to Denmark. Claudius and Laertes plot a deadly duel between them. - Laertes plans to poison his sword and Claudius prepares a poisoned chalice for Hamlet in case the duel doesn't work. - **Gertrude** enters with the news that **Ophelia** has drowned herself. - Laertes is deeply distressed and refuses to cry, saying Ophelia has been drowned by \"too much water.\" **1. Which events in Act IV result from Hamlet's killing of Polonius? How does this sequence of events help explain why Hamlet was slow to take action earlier in the play?** - **Events**: - Hamlet is sent to England. - Ophelia goes mad and dies. - Laertes seeks revenge. - **Explanation**: Hamlet's hesitation leads to further chaos, showing his fear of consequences and internal conflict. **2. Does Gertrude seem sincere in Scene 1 when she tells Claudius that Hamlet killed Polonius in a fit of insanity, or is she trying to protect him? Answer**: Gertrude is likely trying to protect Hamlet, as her description matches his disordered actions but also fits her desire to shield him from Claudius. **3. Reread Hamlet's soliloquy in Scene 4, lines 48--58. This isn't the first time that Hamlet has berated himself for not taking revenge. Is he just repeating himself, or do you sense a change in his attitude?** **Answer**: Hamlet's attitude shifts from frustration to determination as he resolves to act after seeing Fortinbras and Laertes take action. **4. Ophelia sings fragments of songs when she appears in Scene 5 suffering from mental illness. How do the songs reflect her experiences in the play?** **Answer**: The songs reflect Ophelia's grief and confusion over her father's death and Hamlet's rejection. **5. Shakespeare often highlights the traits of his main characters through the use of foils, characters with contrasting traits. How do Fortinbras and Laertes serve as foils in Act IV?** **Answer**: Fortinbras is disciplined and strategic, while Laertes is impulsive and emotional, highlighting Hamlet's struggle between action and hesitation. ***The Tragedy of Hamlet*, Act 5** **Scene 1:** - Two gravediggers discuss whether Ophelia should have a Christian burial due to suspected suicide. - Hamlet passes by the graveyard, reflecting on mortality after seeing a skull, including that of a jester, Yorick. - Hamlet contemplates how everyone eventually turns to dust. - The royal family, including Laertes, arrives to bury Ophelia. - Hamlet and Laertes argue and fight in the grave after Hamlet declares his deep love for Ophelia. **Scene 2:** - Hamlet reveals he swapped Claudius\'s letter for one ordering Rosencrantz and Guildenstern\'s death. - Hamlet is invited to duel Laertes, and they apologize and prepare for the fight. - Claudius tries to poison Hamlet by offering him a poisoned drink, but Gertrude accidentally drinks it and dies. - Hamlet and Laertes exchange poisoned swords and are both fatally wounded. - Laertes dies, reconciles with Hamlet, and blames Claudius for the tragedy. - Hamlet forces Claudius to drink the poisoned wine and dies. - Hamlet asks Horatio to tell his story and predicts Fortinbras will become king. - Fortinbras arrives, claims victory, and orders Hamlet\'s honorable burial. - Horatio promises to explain the events, and the play ends with Fortinbras assuming the throne. *1- Why might Shakespeare have chosen to include this dark humor in the scene?*\ Shakespeare uses dark humor to highlight the inevitability of death, creating a contrast between the lightheartedness of the gravedigger and the solemnity of death. It serves as a way to lighten the mood before the tragic final acts and to reinforce the theme that death is both inescapable and unglamorous. *2-How do his actions on the ship contrast with his earlier behavior? What does this change suggest about the internal conflict he has struggled with for much of the play?*\ Hamlet\'s decision to rewrite Claudius\'s letter and save his life contrasts with his earlier hesitation to act, as seen in his delay in avenging his father. This change reflects Hamlet\'s internal struggle between action and inaction, showing that he has moved towards a more decisive approach by the end of the play. 3-*What does Hamlet satirize in this passage (Scene 2, lines 82--184)?*\ In his exchange with Osric, Hamlet satirizes the superficiality and corruption of the court, mocking Osric's fawning behavior and the absurdity of the royal customs. This highlights Hamlet\'s disillusionment with the political and social structures around him. 4-*Do you agree that Hamlet would probably have made a good king? Why or why not?*\ While Hamlet is intelligent and capable, his indecisiveness and internal conflict would likely have hindered his ability to rule effectively. His inability to act swiftly in crucial moments suggests that he may not have been an effective king. *5-Choose one of the following soliloquies to analyze:*\ **Act 3, Scene 1, lines 57--89 (\"To be, or not to be\"):**\ Hamlet reflects on life's suffering and contemplates whether it's better to endure or end it. He fears the unknown of death more than the pain of life. Shakespeare uses metaphors like "slings and arrows" to express Hamlet's inner conflict, making the soliloquy both poignant and powerful. 6-**Draw Conclusions (Theme Statement):** - **Death:** Death is inevitable and often comes unexpectedly, regardless of social status or wealth. - **Revenge:** The pursuit of revenge can lead to destructive consequences for both the seeker and those around them. - **Corruption:** Corruption in leadership undermines a society, leading to chaos and tragedy. *7- Is the resolution to the revenge plot satisfying?*\ The resolution is not entirely satisfying as it leads to the deaths of almost all main characters. While the revenge plot is completed, the destruction caused by it feels excessive and tragic, leaving Denmark in turmoil with a foreign leader taking the throne. This suggests that revenge, while seemingly justified, leads to devastating consequences. **Background and Skills** Dramatic Plot in Hamlet - **Exposition**: The ghost of King Hamlet tells the guards that his brother, Claudius, killed him and took the throne. Claudius then marries the queen, Gertrude, Hamlet\'s mother. - **Rising Action**: Hamlet learns from the ghost that Claudius is the murderer and decides to take revenge. He pretends to be mad to investigate Claudius's guilt. - **Climax**: Hamlet has the chance to kill Claudius while he\'s praying but hesitates, thinking killing him during prayer might send Claudius's soul to heaven. - **Falling Action**: Hamlet accidentally kills Polonius, Ophelia's father. Ophelia goes mad and dies, Laertes seeks revenge, and Claudius plots Hamlet's death. - **Resolution**: The play ends with everyone dying---Hamlet kills Claudius, avenging his father's death, but dies in the process. Soliloquies in Hamlet - (Act 3, Scene 1) **\"To Be or Not to Be\"**: One of Hamlet's most famous soliloquies, where he contemplates the nature of existence and whether it is better to endure suffering or to end it through death. It reveals his existential crisis, feelings of despair, and fear of the unknown after death. - **Metaphors**: Life\'s hardships are described as \"the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.\" - **Imagery**: Hamlet compares life's struggles to death's potential peace, asking whether it's nobler to endure or end it all. - (Act 2, Scene 2) **\"O, What a Rogue and Peasant Slave Am I\"**: Hamlet reflects on his inability to take action and feels shameful for not yet avenging his father's death. This soliloquy reveals his frustration with himself and his inaction. - **Allusions**: Hamlet compares himself to an actor who can show emotion but can't act on his pain. - **Juxtaposition**: Hamlet contrasts his inaction with the actor's emotional performance. Conflict in Hamlet - **Internal Conflict**: Hamlet struggles with the decision to kill Claudius, torn between revenge and his moral beliefs about life and death. He also questions if his madness is real or feigned. - **External Conflict**: - **Man vs. Man**: Hamlet vs. Claudius---Hamlet wants to avenge his father's murder by exposing Claudius's guilt. - **Man vs. Society**: Hamlet's feigned madness disturbs the court, making him an outsider. His relationship with the court is complicated. - **Man vs. Fate**: Hamlet feels trapped by fate after the ghost tells him to avenge his father. Themes in Hamlet - **Mortality**: Death is a central theme. Hamlet often reflects on life and death, especially in his thoughts about Yorick's skull, symbolizing that death comes for everyone. - **Truth vs. Deception**: Many characters, including Hamlet, deceive others to hide their true intentions. Claudius's murder of his brother sets everything in motion. Hamlet pretends to be mad to uncover the truth. - **Madness**: - **Hamlet's Madness**: Hamlet pretends to be mad to buy time for his revenge, but some believe his madness becomes real as he struggles with the quest for vengeance. - **Ophelia's Madness**: Ophelia goes mad because of Hamlet\'s cruelty, her father's death, and her grief. Her madness shows how loss and betrayal can destroy a person. **Assignments, PEEL, & Exit slips from Canvas** **Assignments** **What is Hamlet mainly talking about in this soliloquy?** Hamlet is contemplating life and death, questioning whether it is better to live and endure suffering or to end it all and face the unknown in death. **Consider Hamlet's references to his mortality (life) and his wish for his \"flesh to melt.\" How does this language set the tone for his mental state and inner conflicts?** The language of wanting his \"flesh to melt\" reveals Hamlet's deep despair and desire to escape his troubles. It shows his emotional turmoil and internal struggle with the idea of death. **Stretch Challenge: Point out any literary devices such as imagery, similes, metaphors, and allusions. How do these devices add to the soliloquy?** - **Imagery**: \"Slings and arrows of outrageous fortune\" creates a vivid picture of life's hardships. - **Metaphor**: \"To take arms against a sea of troubles\" compares fighting life\'s challenges to battling a vast, overwhelming sea. - **Allusion**: \"Hyperion to a satyr\" refers to the sun god and a mythical figure to emphasize the contrast between his father and Claudius. - These devices intensify Hamlet's emotional state and emphasize his internal conflict. **Stretch Challenge: How does Hamlet's language reflect his sense of isolation?** Hamlet's language shows his feeling of being alone in his suffering. Phrases like \"to be or not to be\" express his struggle with decisions that only he can make, highlighting his isolation from others, even in his thoughts. **What does Hamlet compare Denmark to? Why do you think he makes that comparison?** Hamlet compares Denmark to a prison. He feels trapped by the corruption and deceit in the kingdom, especially under Claudius\'s rule, and his thoughts and grief emotionally imprison him. **Re-read lines 270 to 280. What does Hamlet suspect is the real purpose of his friends\' visit? Which lines reveal that?** Hamlet thinks the King and Queen sent Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on him. He questions them with lines like, \"Were you not sent for?\" and \"Is it the King?\" showing his suspicion. **Stretch challenge: In lines 298--316, Hamlet famously describes the world as he sees it. Reread lines 303--314 and notice the contrasting images: "this goodly frame / the earth" vs. "a sterile promontory"; "this / most excellent a canopy" (the sky), a "majestical roof, fretted / with golden fire" vs. "a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors"; "the paragon of animals" vs. "this quintessence of dust." These contrasting images reveal Hamlet's internal conflict and also suggest a theme. Identify the theme and explain your response. Hamlet's** contrasting images show his inner conflict and despair. He starts by acknowledging the world's beauty but quickly shifts to seeing it as corrupt and pointless. This reveals a theme of existential despair, where Hamlet struggles with the meaning of life and the corruption around him. **\"Nunnery\" in Elizabethan England**: The word \"nunnery\" could mean a convent (a religious institution) or, as slang, a brothel (a place of prostitution). Hamlet\'s command to Ophelia to \"get thee to a nunnery\" can be interpreted as either protecting her from the corrupt world or cynically suggesting that women are inherently deceptive and should be in a brothel. **Hamlet's Treatment of Ophelia**: Hamlet\'s harsh treatment of Ophelia is not entirely justified. While he may be acting out of anger and despair over his mother\'s betrayal, his cruelty toward Ophelia reflects his inner turmoil and disillusionment with women. However, his actions are complex and partly driven by the circumstances of his life. **Is Hamlet Pretending to Be Mad?**: Hamlet likely pretends to be mad as part of his plan for revenge, but his behavior and soliloquies suggest he is deeply conflicted and struggling with existential issues, making it hard to determine if his madness is entirely feigned. **What does Hamlet think about Fortinbras? How would Fortinbras be considered Hamlet\'s foil? Explain your response with examples.** Hamlet sees Fortinbras as brave and decisive, which makes him question his hesitation. Fortinbras acts boldly over something insignificant, while Hamlet delays avenging his father, showing how different they are. 2\. Stretch Challenge: **Consider the significance of Hamlet\'s statement, \"How to stand I then, / That have a father killed, a mother stained\...\" and how it contrasts with Fortinbras\'s willingness to act for a trivial cause.** **Does this soliloquy represent a turning point in Hamlet\'s character or will his hesitation continue beyond this moment? Explain your response using evidence.** Hamlet's words reflect his frustration with himself. Fortinbras fights for honor, while Hamlet still hesitates despite having a stronger reason. This soliloquy feels like a turning point because Hamlet vows to act, but his hesitation may not completely disappear. **How does Ophelia's death, as described in *Hamlet*, relate to the depiction of her in John Everett Millais's painting *Ophelia*, and how do both the text and the painting explore the themes of innocence, madness, and tragic fate?** Ophelia\'s death in *Hamlet* and Millais\'s painting both highlight her innocence, madness, and tragic fate. In the play, her drowning reflects her mental collapse, while the painting shows her surrounded by flowers, symbolizing purity and vulnerability. Both explore how her innocence and grief lead to her tragic end. **PEEL** **How does Shakespeare use the theme of revenge across Acts 1 to 4 to show the complexities of Hamlet\'s character and the consequences of vengeance?** **Point**: In Acts 1 to 4, Shakespeare uses the theme of revenge to highlight the complexities of Hamlet\'s character and the consequences of vengeance. **Evidence**: In Act 1, Hamlet is given the task of avenging his father's death, but he delays action, showing his internal struggle (Act 1, Scene 5: \"Remember thee! Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat in this distracted globe\"). **Explanation**: Hamlet's hesitation reflects his moral conflict and the depth of his character. He is not simply seeking revenge for revenge's sake; he is concerned with the ethics of killing, which complicates his quest. **Link**: As the play progresses, the consequences of his delay are evident: Ophelia's madness and death, Polonius's murder, and the eventual bloodshed in the final act. Hamlet's indecision and the theme of revenge demonstrate how seeking vengeance can spiral into more harm and tragedy. **How does the theme of madness in "Hamlet" reveal the inner conflicts and emotional struggles of the characters?** **Point**\ The theme of madness in *Hamlet* reveals the inner conflicts and emotional struggles of the characters, particularly Hamlet's feigned madness and Ophelia's genuine descent into insanity. **Evidence**\ Hamlet pretends to be mad after learning of his father's murder, using disordered behavior to distract others. For example, he calls Polonius a \"fishmonger\" and appears disheveled and erratic in front of Ophelia (Act 2, Scene 2). On the other hand, Ophelia's true madness is shown in Act 4, Scene 5, where she sings fragmented songs and gives flowers symbolizing betrayal and lost innocence. **Explain**\ Hamlet's feigned madness represents his internal conflict about avenging his father's death. It allows him to express his frustration with the court and distract people from his true intentions. However, his actions also reveal his moral hesitation about murder. Ophelia's madness, in contrast, reflects her emotional breakdown after the death of her father and Hamlet's cruel rejection. Her behavior demonstrates the devastating effect of grief and heartbreak. **Link**\ Shakespeare uses madness as a powerful tool to explore the characters\' emotional and psychological struggles. Hamlet's pretense and Ophelia's real madness illustrate how both are affected by their circumstances, making their internal turmoil more relatable and deeply felt by the audience. **From Last Year: How does the theme of inaction in *Hamlet* impact the characters and the overall trajectory of the play? Is inaction a tragic flaw, a product of external circumstances, or a reflection of deeper psychological complexities?** **Point**\ The theme of inaction in *Hamlet* significantly impacts the characters and the play's trajectory, as it is both a tragic flaw and a reflection of Hamlet's deeper psychological complexities. **Evidence**\ Throughout the play, Hamlet repeatedly delays taking action against his uncle Claudius, despite knowing the truth of his father's murder. For instance, in Act 3, Scene 1, Hamlet contemplates, \"To be or not to be,\" questioning the value of action and his existence. His hesitation even leads to missed opportunities, such as when he doesn't kill Claudius while he is praying in Act 3, Scene 3. **Explain**\ Hamlet's inaction can be seen as a tragic flaw, rooted in his inability to act swiftly on his desire for revenge. His constant questioning and introspection paralyze him, as he overanalyzes his circumstances, which leads to his delay. This indecision also reflects deeper psychological complexities---Hamlet's internal struggle with morality, guilt, and existential questions makes it difficult for him to take action, as he's haunted by the moral consequences of killing. **Link**\ Hamlet\'s inaction propels the play towards tragedy, as his hesitation results in the suffering of other characters and his death. The overall trajectory of the play shows how inaction, whether caused by a tragic flaw, external pressure, or psychological conflict, can have devastating consequences. Hamlet's failure to act decisively highlights the destructive power of indecision and its ability to alter the course of both personal and external events. **Exit slips** A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated **Last Year's Exam**  A page of a paper with text Description automatically generated  A close up of a paper Description automatically generated