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AP English 12

TEACHER

Period 2

8 February 2017

Something is Rotten in the State of Denmark

For each character, cite quotes and other evidence (commentary ok too) of their motives and intrigues. Whats REALLY
going on with these people? What are the possibilities? Quote chosen (Act, Scene, Line #s) eg: Hamlet: No (III, i, 96)

Act Hamlet Claudius Gertrude Polonius

Act I Hamlet has been under Only a month after the A month after the death of Polonius is a Danish lord
severe stress after the death of his brother, her husband, Gertrude who has been a part of the
mysterious death of his Claudius marries his wife happily remarries his royal court for several
father and his mothers and takes over the throne brother. Gertrude also administrations and may
remarriage to her as King of Denmark. It is makes Hamlet stay with have great authority or
husbands brother. He is suspicious that after all them instead of letting him influence on the kingdom.
disgusted at how quickly these events occur, he is go back to school when she
his family has gotten over still fine and even happy says, I pray thee, stay with He gives advice and sends
his fathers death and also during his wedding with us. Go not to Wittenberg (I, off his son, Laertes, who is
at the thought that his Gertrude. He questions why ii, 123) going away to college in
uncle is now his Hamlet continues to mourn, France. Polonius tells his
step-father. Hamlet is also How is it that the clouds Knowing that she is okay daughter, Ophelia, to stay
being prevented from
leaving Denmark and
returning to school abroad.
Suffering from depression
and having nothing to do,
Hamlet contemplates
suicide, wishing that his
flesh would melt (I, ii, 96-98). In reality, most
135). He calls out his
mother on her hasty
marriage to her
brother-in-law stating,
"most wicked speed, to
post With such dexterity to
incestuous sheets!" (I, ii,
161-162)
Has Hamlet actually gone
insane after suffering these
traumatic events or life
changes?
The ghost of Hamlets
father reveals that
Claudius is his murderer
and that he must avenge
him. Hamlet questions his
task. Their conversation
may simply be a
hallucination since no one
else witnessed it.
Nevertheless, Hamlet
makes Horatio and
still hang on you? (I, ii, 68) with all of this, did Gertrude away from Hamlet. He
Claudius even goes as far have something to do with believes that their love will
as to criticize him for being her husbands death? Was not last forever and that
sad this long, But to she having an affair with his Hamlet will break her heart.
persever In obstinate brother while they were
condolement is a course Of married? If so, is Gertrude Does he actually care about
impious stubbornness (I, ii, also out to get her son? his kids wellbeings or more
his reputation? Is he the
people will say that a month one really in charge or
is too short or not enough running the kingdom?
time to move on after the
death of a loved one,
especially if it was
someones father. The fact
that Claudius says this
about his own brother
implies that he may not be
as sympathetic as he
should be. He also stops
Hamlet from going back to
school, yet allows Laertes
to do so. To appease
Hamlet, Claudius decrees
that he will inherit the
throne for certain, You are
the most immediate to our
throne (I, ii, 113). What is
the reasoning behind
Claudius actions?
Did Claudius have
something to do with his
brothers death? If so, is he
 Marcellus swear not to tell
anyone of the nights
event. He tells them that
he will pretend to act crazy,
As I perchance hereafter
shall think meet
To put an antic disposition
on (I, v, 190-192).
What is his reason for
pretending to act crazy?
Is he lying to himself?
Act II When Ophelia breaks up
with him, Hamlet acts even
stranger. He insults her
father, Polonius, by calling
him a fishmonger, which
is slang for a pimp (II, ii,
190). This also means that
Hamlet accuses Polonius
of selling his daughter off
for information about him.
After their conversation,
Hamlet, thinking he is
clever, says that he is
playing Polonius and labels
him a tedious old fool (II,
ii, 237).
Hamlet is reunited with his
childhood friends,
Rosencrantz and
then preventing Hamlet
from leaving so that he can
watch or spy on him?
Since Hamlet is acting Gertrude brings Polonius tells Reynaldo to
crazy, Claudius and Rosencrantz and spy on his son, Laertes, to
Gertrude asks his childhood Guildenstern back from see how he is doing away
friends, Rosencrantz and their studies abroad to talk from home. Polonius is a
Guildenstern, to talk with to and cheer up her son. clever man. He instructs
him and to figure out what She regards their task Reynaldo to give lies to his
is wrong. Claudius fails to highly and plans to reward friends to see if they are
know the names of his them, Your visitation shall true, Your bait of falsehood
friends, as shown by the receive such thanks As fits take this carp of truth (II, i,
following dialogue: a kings remembrance (II, 70).
KING ii, 25-26). Gertrude also
Thanks, Rosencrantz and corrects Claudius when he Polonius discovers that
gentle Guildenstern. mistakenly identifies them Hamlet has been acting
QUEEN as each other. This shows more crazy after Ophelia
that she knows and cares dumps him. He realizes that
Thanks, Guildenstern and
more about Hamlet than her Hamlet may actually care
gentle Rosencrantz.
husband does. Another for her, and sees the
(II, ii, 35-36) motive behind her opportunity for marriage. In
This indicates that he may remarriage to Claudius contrast to the Act before,
not pay attention or care could have been to make Polonius changes his mind
about Hamlet that much.

Guildenstern. He plays
with Guildensterns words
about Fortune and
questions why she would
send them to prison,
Denmark (II, ii, 260).
Hamlet knows that his
parents made them come.
To make him feel better,
his friends hire actors to
perform. Hamlet likes the
idea and greets them
himself stating, He that
plays the king shall be
welcome (II, ii, 343). He
continues to insult Polonius
by calling him a great
baby, as he whines and
throws tantrums until he
gets his way
(II, ii, 406). He then has
one of the players recite
Aeneas speech to Dido
about the slaughter of
Priam, subtly relating it to
his own situation of one
man killing another. Hamlet
realizes that he over thinks
things instead of taking
action, calling himself a
coward and a villain.
Later in the Act, he decides
to host a play to catch the
sure that her son still and w ants Ophelia to be
Does Claudius suspect that becomes King. with Hamlet because he
Hamlet knows the truth and would be the father-in-law
is out to get him? of the King and have his
grandchildren in line for the
throne. He later comes to
the King and Queen stating
that he has found the very
cause of Hamlets lunacy
(II, ii, 51-52). Polonius
makes a plan with them to
spy on Hamlet and Ophelia.
Polonius talks to Hamlet,
who spouts nonsense and
asks about his daughter.
This furthers his suspicions
that Ophelia is behind
Hamlets madness, How
say you by that? Still
harping on my daughter (II,
ii, 204-205).
 conscience of the King
and determine whether or
not Claudius is guilty of
murdering his brother (II, ii,
633-634). This is
significant because it is the
first step that Hamlet
actually does towards
getting revenge.
Act III Hamlet gives a big
soliloquy debating whether
to live or die. He argues
that people would bear the
scorns and whips of time
because they dread of
something after death (III,
i, 78-86). In other words,
they fear the unknown in
the afterlife so they would
rather face the problems
and hardships that come
with living.
Hamlet has a conversation
with Ophelia in which she
attempts to return his love
letters. He becomes both
verbally and physically
abusive towards Ophelia.
Hamlet insults her by
saying that he did not love
Claudius and Polonius Gertrude obeys her Even though it is clear that
stage a conversation husbands request to leave Hamlet does not love
between Ophelia and while he and Polonius spy Ophelia, Polonius still tries
Hamlet to see if she is the on her own son, Hamlet. to convince it so when he
cause of his madness. says, But yet I do believe
Claudius asks Gertrude to Why does Gertrude allow The origin and
leave because he does not them to spy on her son? commencement of his grief
think or trust that she can Why does she let them treat Sprung from neglected
judge the situation fairly, her like that? love (III, i, 190-192).
even though Gertrude is Polonius also seem to not
Hamlets own mother. During the play, she sees care about Ophelia as she
the similarities between it breaks down sobbing and
Why does he make and her own life. When on the floor because he
Gertrude leave when they Gertrude confronts Hamlet continues his conversation
spy on Hamlet? about his behavior, he turns with the King. He comes up
violent against her. Hamlet with a new plan to have
During the middle of the kills Polonius, thinking he is Gertrude speak with Hamlet
play, Claudius abruptly Claudius, and reveals his while he spies on them, Let
stands up and leaves, crime. Gertrude is shocked her be round with him; And
ending it. This is proof to and asks, As kill a king? Ill be placed, so please
Hamlet that Claudius (III, iii, 36). Gertrudes you, in the ear Of all their
indeed murdered his father. confusion implies that she conference (III, i, 197-199).
her and that she needs to
go to a nunnery, which is
slang for a whorehouse.
He foreshadows the
deaths of Claudius and
Polonius, stating Those
that are married already,
all but one, shall live (III, i,
160-161). The one is
implied to be his mother,
Gertrude, since his fathers
ghost strictly forbade him
from harming her.
Does/did Hamlet actually
care for Ophelia? Why is
he treating her like this
now? Is he trying to protect
her? Is she secretly in on
his plan?
Before the play starts,
Hamlet makes sexual
banter Ophelia. This is
strange behavior
considering Hamlet was
furious with her in the Act
before. The fact that both
of them are being playful
and flirty is suspicious, and
makes the reader think that
Ophelia is in on his plan.
Claudius becomes fed up
with Hamlets behavior and
decides to send him away
to England with
Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern.
In his soliloquy, Claudius
confesses his crime as a husbands ghost appears
brothers murder (III, iii, but she cannot see it.
40-42). He feels sorry and
tries to repent for his
actions yet knows that he
cannot since he is still
possessed of the effects for
which [he] did the murder
including the throne and
Gertrude (III, iii, 57-58).
Claudius begins to pray, but
knows that he will not be
forgiven as Words without
thoughts never to heaven
go (III, iii, 102-103).
was not involved in her
husbands murder. She how to run the
becomes very troubled and
begs him, O, speak to me
no more! These words like
daggers enter in my ears.
No more, sweet Hamlet!
(III, iv, 107-109). Her
violently towards Gertrude,
Gertrudes inability to do so
shows that she is no longer
loyal to her husband, as the
ghost can only be seen by
those who are. Gertrude
then swears allegiance to
her son and to take his
side.
After the play, he tells her
conversation, Pray you, be
round with him (III, iii, 7).
This shows that Polonius
does not even trust
Gertrude to handle her son.
When Hamlet starts acting
Polonius shouts for help.
This blows his cover and
Hamlet fatally stabs him
through the curtain,
mistaking him for Claudius.
It is interesting that
Polonius does not confront
and stop Hamlet himself,
meaning that he is truly
scared of the deranged
prince.
When Claudius stands up
and leaves during the play,
Hamlet now has proof that
his uncle is guilty of
murdering his father.
Hamlet goes to find him
praying and realizes he
cannot kill him there
because it will send him to
Heaven instead of Hell, I,
his sole son, do this same
villain send To heaven (III,
iii, 81-83).

Hamlet confronts his

mother and things turn
violent. This leads to
Polonius to shout for help
and for Hamlet to stab him
through the curtain,
mistakenly believing he
has finally killed Claudius.
When the body is revealed
to be that of Polonius,
Hamlet angrily remarks,
Thou wretched, rash,
intruding fool, farewell. I
took thee for thy better (III,
iv, 38-39). Hamlet admits
that he does repent his
actions and therefore, will
bestow him and will
answer well The death [he]
 gave him (III, iv, 197-198).
In other words, Hamlet will
respectfully take care of
the body and its burial.

Hamlet accuses Gertrude

of not acting virtuous and
Assume a virtue if [she]
ha[s] it not (III, iv, 181).
His fathers ghost then
appears to chide and
remind him that he cannot
hurt his mother. Since
Gertrude cannot see the
ghost, it proves Hamlets
loyalty to his father. Hamlet
reveals to Gertrude that he
essentially [is] not in
madness and not to tell
anyone (III, iv, 209).
Hamlet also knows of
Claudius plan to send him
away to England, This
man shall set me packing
(III, iv, 234). However, he
himself has a plan and
says goodbye to his
mother, while dragging
away Polonius body.

Act IV Hamlet cleverly states that After learning of Polonius Gertrude tells Claudius Dead
the body is with the King death, Claudius becomes what Hamlet has done. She
(IV, ii, 27). It is in the tomb fearful for his life. He says that he is remorseful
of the royal family,
including where Hamlets
father is buried. He honors
his words by giving him the
burial place of a king,
showing his respect for
Polonius and the influence
he had over the kingdom.
He gives a soliloquy and
compares himself to his
foil, Fortinbras. Unlike
Hamlet, this prince takes
action instead of sitting
back and waiting for things
to happen. Hamlet
criticizes himself when he
says, How stand I, then,
That have a father killed, a
mother stained (IV, iv,
59-60).
Hamlet is sent away to
England but two days into
the voyage, a pirate ship
invades their ship and
kidnaps him. He befriends
the pirates and they agree
to return him to Denmark.
Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern are left on the
ship headed to England.
He sends letters to Horatio
decides to sent Hamlet to
England for execution, By
letters congruing to that
effect, The present death of
Hamlet (IV, iii, 74-77). He
is paranoid and claims that
[his] joys will neer begin Gertrude is asked to speak
as long as Hamlet is still
there and alive.
Claudius meets Ophelia
and feels nothing but
sadness for her and her
insanity, poor Ophelia
Divided from herself and
her fair judgment (IV, v,
91-92).
Ophelias brother, Laertes,
returns to Denmark to fight
Claudius and take over the
throne. Claudius is sharp
though, and is able to
persuade Laertes that he is
not responsible for his
fathers death. He can also
turn the story around in his
favor.
What is interesting is that
Claudius hired Swiss
instead of Danish guards to
protect the country.
of his actions and weeps
for what he is done (IV, i,
6).
Ophelia goes insane after
her fathers death and
to and comfort her.
Gertrude originally did not
want to do so, but she
greatly pities Ophelia and
has her sent in. Gertrude
also protects Claudius
when Laertes barges
through the doors, stating
that his father was indeed
killed but not by him
(IV, v, 146).
Ophelia drowns later and
Gertrude is the one to the
announcement to her
brother, Your sisters
drowned, Laertes (IV, vii,
187-188). She continues on
with her news that the river
Pulled the poor wretch
from her melodious lay To
muddy death (IV, vii,
207-208).
 and Claudius, notifying
them of his return.
Was the pirate ship attack
planned? How will he react
to Ophelias death?
Act V Hamlet watches the
gravediggers make space
for a burial and comments
how after people die, they
are no longer recognizable.
He provides deep insight
that the dead cannot be
distinguished, and are the
same regardless of their
status in life.
At the funeral, Hamlet
learns that the person they
are burying is Ophelia and
becomes crazy. When
Laertes jumps into the
grave, Hamlet follows suit
and says to have loved
Ophelia more that forty
thousand brothers Could
not with all of their quantity
of love Make up [his] sum
(V, i, 285-386). Hamlet
even goes as far as to
challenge Laertes and his
love for Ophelia when he
Claudius knows that his
own army is not loyal to him
but to the rightful heir,
Hamlet.
Claudius makes a plan to
get rid of Hamlet by making
Laertes duel him with a
poisonous tip on his sword,
as well as having Hamlet
drink a poisoned drink.
However, this plan fails
when their tips are switched
and Hamlet fatally wounds
Laertes, as well as when
Gertrude disobeys him and
takes the drink. His scheme
is revealed by Laertes who
says that the Kings to At the duel between Laertes
blame (V, ii, 351). Hamlet
gets the signal to kill
Claudius and does so by
stabbing and forcing him to
drink the poison. even when Claudius warns
At Ophelias funeral, she Dead
places flowers and says, I
hoped thou shouldst have
been my Hamlets wife; I
thought thy bride-bed to
have decked, sweet maid,
And not have strewed thy
grave (V, i, 255-257).
Gertrude sadly states that
she wanted Ophelia and
Hamlet to be together and
eventually get married.
and Hamlet, she takes the
drink that Claudius poisons.
Gertrude deliberately
disobeys her husband,
her. She may have drank it
to make a statement that
she is truly loyal to her son
and wanted to protect him.
However, Gertrude could
have lived if she had simply
thrown the drink away.
says, What wilt thou do for Before she falls to the
her? (V, i, 285-287). ground and dies, Gertrude
exclaims to her son, O, my
Hamlet spills details to dear Hamlet! The drink, the
Horatio about how he drink! I am poisoned (V, ii,
escaped execution. He 340-341). This causes
forged a new letter telling Hamlet to close the castle
to execute Rosencrantz and finally kill Claudius.
and Guildenstern instead,
and uses his fathers signet
which has the model of
that Danish seal to sign it
as an official document (V,
ii, 55-56). This shows that
Hamlet is clever, as well as
cruel. He shows no
remorse about sending his
ex-friends to their deaths
stating, They are not near
my conscience. Their
defeat Does by their own
insinuation grow. (V, ii,
65-66)

Before he and Laertes

duel, Hamlet somewhat
apologizes for actions.
However, he blames it on
his madness and even
tries to play the victim as
well, His madness is poor
Hamlets enemy (V, ii,
253). Even though Laertes
is known as the better
swordsman, Hamlet is able
to beat him and by
accident, fatally wounds
him with Laertes own tip.
After his mother drinks the
poisoned cup meant for
him and dies, Hamlet
finally completes his
mission and kills Claudius
by stabbing him and
forcing the poisoned drink
down his throat: Here,
thou incestuous,
murdrous, damnd Dane,
Drink off this potion (V, ii,
356-357). However,
Hamlet himself is dying
because he was wounded
by Laertes. With Norway
invading Denmark and no
remaining royalty left,
Hamlet declares Fortinbras
as his heir to avoid war
between the nations and
says that he has my dying
voice
(V, ii, 393).

While Hamlet ultimately

gets his revenge, had he
taken earlier action against
Claudius, several lives
 would have been spared
(including his).

Analysis See above. See above. See above. See above.