1. Through the conversation Claudius has with Gertrude he does not act seem like he is feeling guilty for murdering the king at all. He doesn't seem to have it on his mind anymore as he lies to her and plans to kill her child! Besides being a liar, Claudius is also selfish and has little concern for Gertrude, Hamlet, or anyone else. He is concerned only with his reputation and his power as king. He hasn't stopped to think that not only does he deserve to be killed for being a murderer too, but also that he is repeating the act that he first felt guilty for. Claudius obviously doesn't feel too bad if he's going to have Hamlet killed, just like he did to his father. Having Hamlet killed is his top priority at this point and I think that this proves that he is vindictive. He's also deceitful as he uses the fact that Laertes is mad to his advantage. He asks hamlet "Laertes, was your father dear to you?" - hoping to stir up rage in Laertes. "What would you undertake, to show yourself your father's son in deed more than in words?" Laertes replays "To cut his throat i' the church". Claudius proves that he is sly and possibly manipulative.
2. Ophelia goes mad mostly due to her father's death or at least this is the breaking point and the eventual cause of her suicide. Throughout the course of the story Ophelia has gone through a lot that would probably cause any girl to become emotional, maybe crazy. Hamlet at this point has left and seeing as he's the one who accidentally killed her father, I think I'd go crazy too. Before this Hamlet has already had a conversation with her saying that he doesn't love her anymore. She is now left without a lover and father. She most likely feels alone and lost without the most important male figures in her life. The Queen comes to tell that Ophelia has drowned saying that she lay "there with fantastic garlands did she come of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples.." She tells the story as if Ophelia accidentally fell into the water because the branch she was on snapped. I think the Queen is implying that Ophelia was innocent and precious and that these events were destroying her innocence and messing her up!
3. The real significance of the gravediggers seems to be that they are used to bring about the discussion of Ophelia's death and if she should be buried in the churchyard or not. There must be also be a reason that the gravediggers are called clowns although I don't know why. Although I assume the second clown's question was some kind of funny joke as well as the song the first clown sings. These two characters are used for for comedic purposes, even though the conversation is rather serious. The incorporation of these two men into the play are for the reminding the audience/reader that if someone commits suicide they should not be given a proper burial. When Ophelia is brought to be buried it has been decided that instead of "charitable prayers, shards, flints and pebbles should be thrown on her". Laertes is not happy about this and discusses the priests decision with him.
4. Three revenge plots in Hamlet are: Hamlet vs. Claudis, Claudis va Hamlet, Laertes vs, Hamlet and
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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