ACT 4 CHARACTER EVOLUTION Hamlet

2 KEY ISSUES IN ACT 4 MADNESS MADNESS REVENGE REVENGE

HAMLET Is Hamlet ANTIC or MAD? Is Hamlet ANTIC or MAD? Actions/words following death of Polonius Actions/words following death of Polonius “How all occasions do inform against me “How all occasions do inform against me And spur my dull revenge” (4.4.34) “…Of thinking too precisely on th’ event “…Of thinking too precisely on th’ event (A thought which quartered, hath but one part wisdom/And ever three parts coward”) (A thought which quartered, hath but one part wisdom/And ever three parts coward”)(4.4.43)

OPHELIA Is Ophelia a victim? Is Ophelia a victim? Your best psychological analysis? Your best psychological analysis? “Divided from herself and her fair judgment (Claudius) “Divided from herself and her fair judgment (Claudius) “We know what we are “We know what we are But know not what we may be” But know not what we may be” Lyrics of “her song” Lyrics of “her song” And will he not come again” ( ) And will he not come again” ( )

MADNESS Compare and contrast Ophelia and Hamlet’s madness Compare and contrast Ophelia and Hamlet’s madness

CLAUDIUS Is Claudius arrogant or paranoid? Is Claudius arrogant or paranoid? “The present death of Hamlet “The present death of Hamlet …Do it, England” (4.3.74) “The Queen his mother “The Queen his mother Lives almost by his looks (4.7.14) “…Is the great love the general gender bear him” (4.7.20) “…Is the great love the general gender bear him” (4.7.20)

CLAUDIUS “And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe/But even his mother shall uncharge the practice/ And call it accident” (4.7.74) “And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe/But even his mother shall uncharge the practice/ And call it accident” (4.7.74) “Revenge shall have no bounds” ( ) “Revenge shall have no bounds” ( )

LAERTES Is Laertes Hamlet’s foil? Is Laertes Hamlet’s foil? “What would you undertake “What would you undertake To show yourself indeed your father’s son More than in words?” ( ) ~ Claudius to Laertes “To cut his throat i’ th’ church” ~ Laertes “To cut his throat i’ th’ church” ~ Laertes “Laertes, was your father dear to you? “Laertes, was your father dear to you? Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, A face without a heart?” ( ) ~ Claudius

REVENGE Compare and contrast the revenge of Hamlet and Laertes Compare and contrast the revenge of Hamlet and Laertes