Hamlet Study Guide Act 4 with answers – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Unlock answers
question
Where does Hamlet tell Claudius that Polonius is?
answer
At supper. (Not where he is eating, but where he is being eaten).
question
Does Hamlet show remorse for killing Polonius? How can you explain Hamlet's reaction?
answer
No. He believes it is his destiny to right the wrongs in Denmark. Polonius is collateral damage.
question
After telling Hamlet that he is to go to England, and after the exit of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, what does Claudius reveal when he is left alone on stage?
answer
He is going to have Hamlet killed.
question
Are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern aware of Claudius's intentions? Why does Claudius feel certain that his request will be carried out?
answer
No. He believes the king of England will do what he asks because he owes him a favor.
question
With whom does Hamlet speak in act IV scene iv? What does Hamlet learn from this person?
answer
A captain in Fortinbras' army. He learns that the army is fighting to gain a piece of worthless ground in Poland.
question
How does Hamlet respond to this news?
answer
He feels that he must take action and stop stalling.
question
In what condition is Ophelia when she comes before Gertrude and Claudius? What are the two subjects of Ophelia's songs?
answer
Ophelia seems to have lost her mind. Two subjects are of a death and a lost love.
question
What might be the causes of Ophelia's madness?
answer
Her father's death and Hamlet telling her he doesn't love her and never has.
question
Who has returned from France, and what are the people saying to this person?
answer
Laertes. A mob is crying that Laertes should be king.
question
Why is Claudius so worried about what is being said to Laertes?
answer
Because he knows Laertes is popular with the people and he would lose the crown.
question
What does Laertes seek when he bursts into the presence of the king?
answer
He wants to know where his father is.
question
How does Laertes's reaction to the killing of his father differ from Hamlet's reaction to the killing of his father?
answer
He takes immediate action, whereas Hamlet finds reasons not to.
question
What does Claudius tell Laertes to calm him down? What does Claudius say to Laertes at the end of scene V?
answer
That Polonius' death will be avenged to Laertes' satisfaction.
question
Why might Claudius want to win Laertes over?
answer
Because he is popular with the people.
question
How does Hamlet come to be back in Denmark?
answer
He boarded a pirate ship they were fighting and became a prisoner. The pirates are treating him well and bringing him home. He is going to return the favor.
question
How does Claudius feel about Hamlet's return to Denmark?
answer
He is not happy. He thinks it might be a trick of some kind.
question
What happens to Ophelia?
answer
Drowns.
question
Is Ophelia's death a suicide?
answer
Not sure. She was sitting on a branch that broke and she fell in. Her clothes kept her afloat for a while, then pulled her down.
question
What are the consequences of the killing of Polonius?
answer
Ophelia's death, Rosencrantz & Gildenstern's deaths, Hamlets
question
Is Hamlet responsible for the death of Ophelia? Why or Why not?
answer
Matter of opinion: Yes: because he was mean to her and killed her father. NO: because he wasn't even in Denmark at the time.
question
In scene 2, what does Hamlet call Rosencrantz. What does he mean?
answer
He calls him a sponge. He is saying that he soaks up the king's favor, then the king squeezes him again by using him to do his dirty work.
question
In scene 5, when Claudius is talking to Ophelia, she sings two songs (approximately lines 54-70) that insinuates something happened between herself and Hamlet. What is it?
answer
She makes us think she slept with Hamlet because he promised her he was going to marry her. But afterward he was cold toward her and didn't keep his promise.
question
In scene vii, Laertes asks Claudius why he hasn't punished Hamlet for Polonius' murder. What is his response?
answer
He says it's because Gertrude loves Hamlet so much and he (Claudius) loves Gertrude. He also says the public loves Hamlet.
Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New