1) What do you feel is the point of the gravedigger’s riddles and song? How does it fit into the play?

The grave digger makes jokes about death and seems to make it into a game. This makes death seem less horrible which is interesting because he is saying this to Hamlet, who in the beginning of the play was morning deeply over his fathers death. However by this time in the play Hamlet is beginning to look at death in a different light, much more like the gravedigger does.

2) In what ways do Hamlet’s reactions to the skulls in the graveyard seem to suggest a change in his outlook? Compare Hamlet’s attitude towards Yoric to Hamlet’s attitude to Ophelia or even his father? How is it different? How is it similar? When Hamlet sees the skulls he seems to become more accepting of death. It is as if he sees the many skulls and understand that it is part of life, especially when he sees Yorics skull. Maybe he realizes that he used to love the clown and didnt even realize he was gone till now. So why cant he do it with his father. Hamlet looks at Yoric almost as a father figure as he remembers all the good times shared with him and seeing the skulls brings back these good memories. However when he thinks of Ophelia he challenges Laertes to a morning contests. Very much the opposite of good memories.

3) How old is Hamlet? How do you know this?

I believe that hamlet is in his early thirties. This is known because his father was old enough to fight in a few battles and gain fame and Hamlet was able to go off and get an education in college. We also know this because of the very mature way Hamlet looks at things, he also just talked to the grave digger who mentioned Yoric who has been in the ground for 23 years and Hamlet was a few years of age so he is about 30.

4) What does the violent argument between Hamlet and Laertes add to the play?

It starts to build up to the end scene where everybody dies by adding suspense as well as showing how Hamlet has begun to change. He has said he will become a man of action his thoughts to be more bloody or worth nothing. This is a sign that he is beginning to act upon his urges rather than just sit in the shadows and contemplate.

5) What developments in Hamlet’s character are presented through the story of what happened on the boat?

On the "boat" Hamlet puts Rosencrants and Guildenstern to death. This shows that he has strayed from his ways of little action and now when he comes across a plan he acts upon it. He is beginning to be more like Fortinbras as planning something and then putting it to action, rather than just thinking.

6) How do Hamlet’s motives in killing Claudius seem to have shifted according to his speech beginning “Does it not, think thee…” (V.ii.63)

At first he just wanted to kill him for revenge upon his father because the Ghost told him to. Now he is looking deeper into it. He still wants revenge but he sees it as a duty to keep no further harm from happening. He believes that if he kills Cluadius now he will be able to commit further evil and harm to Denmark.

7) What concerns of the play are reinforced in the Osric episode? (V.ii.80-170)

Osric is untrue to himself for one thing. Any man who can be tricked into having his hat on and off many times has no will power and hence a prostitute. Osric not only lets hamlet tell him if he is warm or cold or not but he also flatters Hamlet and tells him what he wants to hear. This is sad because Osric is then selling himself to Cluadius who sent him and Hamlet so he is truly a slut.

8) Why does Hamlet ‘defy augury’? (V.ii.192)

Hamlet has let go of his earlier belief/fear of dying and has allowed it to be determined by a greater force or god. He no longer plans his life out bit by bit but lets fate decide.

9) What does Laertes say is his motive in still resenting Hamlet? How has already lost this? How does this contribute to the presentation of revenge in the play? (V.ii216-223)

Laertes says it is to keep his honor. However he has already lost this as he has used two types of poisen to try and kill Hamlet and in the process of trying to killed Gertrude. This reinforces the idea that revenge within the play seem less noble and wrong as other people often get involved. In the beginning it seemed fine but in the end it doesnt especially when we find out that Hamlet and Fortinbras made a pact.

10) How might the dying lines of Gertrude, Claudius and Laertes be viewed as typical of the way their characters have been presented throughout the play?

11) Who “wins” in Hamlet? How and why do you think this?

Fortinbras. Not only does he look like a forgiving and heroic man for giving Hamlet a nice burial and forgiving him for his father killing his father but he also gets Denmark without any trouble. He also doesnt have to fight with anybody because Hamlet managed to kill them all off so Fortinbras is the only noble person to take over.