Why does Claudius talk about how he cares for Hamlet as if he were his son on page 27, yet refers to Hamlet as the son of Queen and not even his nephew on page 85?
Has Hamlet gone completely insane by page 95 (the dialogue between Hamlet and Polonius) due to his behavior towards Polonius (i.e. calling him a fishmonger), or is Hamlet still sane and just manipulating Polonius with words (as Polonius later states that Hamlet's observations were "pregnant" with meaning)?
What is the purpose of Claudius being so condescending to Hamlet? Wouldn't it be more prudent to get Hamlet on his side?
How can we define Hamlet's Mom as a character? Is she weak, and lustful overall, or is she strong and defiant? How can we view her through a feminist lens and how can we view her through an existential lens?
Hamlet has an obsession with honesty, which surfaces in his realization on page 63 that Claudius "may smile and smile and be a villain", his dialogue with Polonius on page 95, his introduction of the speech on the last line of page 111, his reaction to Rosencrantz's comment on page 97 that "the world's grown honest", and his insistence that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell him that they were sent by the King and Queen. What is the reason behind this obsession? How does his denial of an honest world relate to modernist rejections of the black and white world-view? How does it connect to issues of perception such as Hamlet's view that Denmark is a prison (page 99) and that the world seems less grand to him (pages 101-3)? Hamlet's obsession with truth also connects to the beginning of his soliloquy at the end of the act, in which he marvels that the player could conjure up such strong emotions for "fiction". Based on the soliloquy and the rest that we have seen of Hamlet so far, does he see words as a vehicle for truth, lies, or both? Why?
What is the significance of Hamlet referring to Denmark as a prison? (page 99 line 262) Does he feel like only he himself is imprisoned or is everyone around him imprisoned as well? What is causing him to feel imprisoned- his family? Ophelia? The fact that he belongs to royalty?
In Act II, scene 2, how does Polonius convince King Claudius that Hamlet is madly in love with Ophelia? How does the language he uses compare/contrast to the language of the King previously glimpsed in Act I, when he tries to persuade Hamlet in disregarding his feelings and emotions for his late father?
Why does Hamlet go see Ophelia first right after his encounter with his father? And why does he act mad towards her when really the issue involves his father and uncle, nor her?
How does Polonious's interactions with Reynaldo (discussing Laertes) and with Ophelia (about Hamlet) contribute to the development of his character in the beginning of Act II? Is he seen to be more of a snooping or smart father? Later on in scence 2 of act II, how does his encounter with Hamlet further contribute to his character? As the play is moving along, is Hamlet still pretending with his madness or is he starting to slightly go mad, especially after seeing the ghost of his father?
Why does Hamlet order the actors to perform “The Murder of Gonzago”? (pg 113) Is it because he is truly unsure of whether Claudius killed his father? Or is it because he just wants to prolong his inaction out of fear? Is Pyrrhus’ forceful killing of Priam followed by his hesitation meant to symbolize Hamlet’s attitude? (pg 115) Does he believe that hesitation will lead him to stronger and thoughtful action?
What were the implications of Hamlet's reference to the Troy stuff? Is he drawing a parallel beyond what he already stated? Can Troy be used to foresee what is yet to come in the play?
When Polonious talks to the King and Queen about Hamlet's behavior, he talks in circles. (Act 2, Scene 2 Lines 91-120) What is the significance of his "art"?
On page 103, what is the significance of Hamlet describing generally what each character will be doing? Such as "the lady shall say her mind freely," (lines 348-349
In Act 1 Scene 3, Polonius gives Laertes parting advice "give they thoughts no tongue...." and so on. Does his advice for his son for how he should behave reflect the way he behaves in court? What does that tell us about his character? Does it have any relationship to when he sends Reynaldo to inquire on Laertes' actions at school?
Why is Polonius so insistent that Ophelia is the cause of Hamlet's madness in Act 2 Scene 1?
Does Hamlet really have true feelings for Ophelia, or are the strange letters and encounters simply a part of his crazy scheme? Is he only playing with her intentions in a misguided way to throw people off his trail?
Why did Polonius want someone to spy on his son?
ReplyDeleteAct 2 scene 1
Lou, Laura, Ben, Mike L, and E.J.
Why does Claudius talk about how he cares for Hamlet as if he were his son on page 27, yet refers to Hamlet as the son of Queen and not even his nephew on page 85?
ReplyDeleteLou
Has Hamlet gone completely insane by page 95 (the dialogue between Hamlet and Polonius) due to his behavior towards Polonius (i.e. calling him a fishmonger), or is Hamlet still sane and just manipulating Polonius with words (as Polonius later states that Hamlet's observations were "pregnant" with meaning)?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of the First Player's speech? Does it give more insight into Hamlet's state of being? If so, how?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the purpose of Claudius being so condescending to Hamlet? Wouldn't it be more prudent to get Hamlet on his side?
ReplyDeleteHow can we define Hamlet's Mom as a character? Is she weak, and lustful overall, or is she strong and defiant? How can we view her through a feminist lens and how can we view her through an existential lens?
Sonja's questions:
ReplyDeleteHamlet has an obsession with honesty, which surfaces in his
realization on page 63 that Claudius "may smile and smile and be a
villain", his dialogue with Polonius on page 95, his introduction of
the speech on the last line of page 111, his reaction to Rosencrantz's
comment on page 97 that "the world's grown honest", and his insistence
that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell him that they were sent by the
King and Queen. What is the reason behind this obsession? How does his
denial of an honest world relate to modernist rejections of the black
and white world-view? How does it connect to issues of perception such
as Hamlet's view that Denmark is a prison (page 99) and that the world
seems less grand to him (pages 101-3)? Hamlet's obsession with truth
also connects to the beginning of his soliloquy at the end of the act,
in which he marvels that the player could conjure up such strong
emotions for "fiction". Based on the soliloquy and the rest that we
have seen of Hamlet so far, does he see words as a vehicle for truth,
lies, or both? Why?
Why does Hamlet believe that pretending to go mad was the best solution to his problems? How else could he have faced them?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the significance of Hamlet referring to Denmark as a prison? (page 99 line 262) Does he feel like only he himself is imprisoned or is everyone around him imprisoned as well? What is causing him to feel imprisoned- his family? Ophelia? The fact that he belongs to royalty?
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly is Polonius trying to convey to Reynaldo?
ReplyDeleteWhy does Hamelet talk about the feats of mankind then goes on to say that he is unamused by all mankind?pg 101- 103 (lines 327-334)
ReplyDeleteIn Act II, scene 2, how does Polonius convince King Claudius that Hamlet is madly in love with Ophelia? How does the language he uses compare/contrast to the language of the King previously glimpsed in Act I, when he tries to persuade Hamlet in disregarding his feelings and emotions for his late father?
ReplyDeleteWhy does Hamlet go see Ophelia first right after his encounter with his father? And why does he act mad towards her when really the issue involves his father and uncle, nor her?
ReplyDeleteHow does Polonious's interactions with Reynaldo (discussing Laertes) and with Ophelia (about Hamlet) contribute to the development of his character in the beginning of Act II? Is he seen to be more of a snooping or smart father? Later on in scence 2 of act II, how does his encounter with Hamlet further contribute to his character? As the play is moving along, is Hamlet still pretending with his madness or is he starting to slightly go mad, especially after seeing the ghost of his father?
ReplyDeleteWhat unforeseen impacts might Hamlet's play have on the rest of the kingdom?
ReplyDeleteWhy does Hamlet order the actors to perform “The Murder of Gonzago”? (pg 113) Is it because he is truly unsure of whether Claudius killed his father? Or is it because he just wants to prolong his inaction out of fear?
ReplyDeleteIs Pyrrhus’ forceful killing of Priam followed by his hesitation meant to symbolize Hamlet’s attitude? (pg 115) Does he believe that hesitation will lead him to stronger and thoughtful action?
What were the implications of Hamlet's reference to the Troy stuff? Is he drawing a parallel beyond what he already stated? Can Troy be used to foresee what is yet to come in the play?
ReplyDeleteWhen Polonious talks to the King and Queen about Hamlet's behavior, he talks in circles. (Act 2, Scene 2 Lines 91-120) What is the significance of his "art"?
ReplyDeleteOn page 103, what is the significance of Hamlet describing generally what each character will be doing? Such as "the lady shall say her mind freely," (lines 348-349
ReplyDeleteIn Act 1 Scene 3, Polonius gives Laertes parting advice "give they thoughts no tongue...." and so on. Does his advice for his son for how he should behave reflect the way he behaves in court? What does that tell us about his character? Does it have any relationship to when he sends Reynaldo to inquire on Laertes' actions at school?
ReplyDeleteWhy is Polonius so insistent that Ophelia is the cause of Hamlet's madness in Act 2 Scene 1?
Does Hamlet really have true feelings for Ophelia, or are the strange letters and encounters simply a part of his crazy scheme? Is he only playing with her intentions in a misguided way to throw people off his trail?
ReplyDelete