Midterm Hamlet Essay Question

Due Monday 7th November 2016

Choose one of the following
2-4 pages
CLAUDIUS QUESTION

Consider the way in which

Shakespeare depicts Claudius; Is he
purely a villain or does he have any
redeeming features?
STRUCTURE
Now think about how you might organise this information into 6 paragraphs of
information.
1. You might begin with your first impressions of him. Act 1, scene 2.
2. Then you might discuss the scene where Hamlet meets the Ghost of his

3.

4.

5.

6.

dead father and how the audience are heavily influenced by the vivid
description of his horrific crimes (regicide, incest, adultery). From the very
beginning of the play we are seeing events through Hamlets eyes. Once
the ghost clarifies what really happened we find it hard to escape our
impression of Claudius as a murderous usurper.
In your third paragraph you might discuss the steps he takes to find out
how much Hamlet knows. Hes a clever actor who plays the part of
concerned uncle very well when he summons R&G. Hes also remarkably
calm under pressure during the Murder of Gonzago.
Next discuss his aside (How smart a lash) and the Prayer scene which
offers evidence that he has a conscience and think about the effect this
has on the audiences sympathy for him. However balance that against
the fact that he doesnt confess OR give up the fruits of his crimes.
In your fifth paragraph look at the completely selfish reaction to the
deaths of Polonius (his chief advisor), Ophelia, and Gertrude (his wife and
think about how this influenes our view of him.
Finally discuss the Machiavellian ruthlessness revealed in his emotional
manipulation of Laertes. To say we admire him seems strange but in a way
we do admire his evil genius his determination, his intelligence, his
practical decisive nature even though we cannot approve of the way he
uses these talents for evil rather than for good.

Act 1, scene 2

Claudius addresses the Danish court and although he claims to be filled

with grief because of his dear brothers death we immediately feel his
hasty marriage to Gertrude our sometime sister now our queen is
inappropriate.

He handles the threat from Fortinbras of Norway in a peaceful /diplomatic

way, sending ambassadors to the King (Fortinbrasuncle) insisting he
control his nephew.

He seems too eager to please: What wouldst thou have Laertes?

especially when it comes to getting Hamlet on side my cousin Hamlet
and my son.

Claudius is deeply insensitive towards Hamlets grief and has the audacity
to suggest that Hamlet is insulting God by not accepting his fathers death
tis unmanly grief, it shows a will most incorrect to heaven (we later learn
that Claudius is the one who has actually challenged Gods power over life
and death).

He is clever in his attempts to get Hamlet on side he announces publicly

you are the most immediate to our throne. We know it is unlikely that
Hamlet will ever accept Claudius despite Claudius request to think of us
as of a father.

He is determined to keep up appearances that all is well but comes across

as false & irritatingly good humoured when Hamlet says I shall in all my
best obey you madam Claudius says with forced merriment Why tis a
loving and a fair reply

He obeys the rule of all tyrants keep your friends close and your enemies
closer by asking Hamlet not to return to college in Wittenburg remain
here in the cheer and comfort of our eye. Claudius phrases it as a request
but Hamlet has to obey.

The contrast between the dead King Hamlet (he was a man, take him for
all in all, I shall not look upon his like again) and the new King (no more
like my father than I to Hercules) upsets Hamlet greatly.

Act 1, scene 5

We hear indirectly of Claudius crime from the ghost. There are echoes of
the garden of Eden when the ghost describes his murder in the orchard
the serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown. Claudius
is referred to by the ghost as garbage & that incestuous, that
adulterate beast who won to his shameful lust the will of my most
seeming virtuous queen.

Act 2, scene 2

Claudius again appears as a skilful liar. He sends for Rosencrantz and

Guildenstern so they can spy on Hamlet. He pretends to be concerned and
baffled as to what is upsetting him What it should be, more than his
fathers deathI cannot dream of. He is phoney and patronising
welcome dear Rosencrantz and Guildensternwe much did long to see
you .

He is sceptical of Polonius explanation of Hamlets madness (he is

lovesick) but goes along with Polonius plan to spy on a meeting between
Ophelia and Hamlet.

Act 3, scene 1

Claudius suggests that Hamlet may be a danger with his turbulent and
dangerous lunacy and concludes that Madness in great ones must not
unwatched go.

We get our first glimpse of Claudius humanity. Polonius comments that it

is easy to cover the truth & suger oer the devil himself & Claudius
reflects how smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience . His guilt
is a heavy burden.

Having watched Hamlet with Ophelia Claudius is clever enough to realise

that Hamlet is not lovesick, or crazy Love? His affections do not that way
tend, nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little, was not like
madness. Theres something in his soul oer which his melancholy sits on
brood.

He wants to send Hamlet away to England but Polonius convinces him not
to. Instead, Gertrude will confront Hamlet while Polonius eavesdrops (spy
plot 3!)

Act 3, scene 2 the Players Play

Claudius is exposed. He says very little in this scene but briefly tries to
stop the performance Have you heard the argument? Is there no offence
in it? and changes the subject what do you call the play but when this
fails he storms out.

We hear from R & G that he is marvellous distempered following the

play.

Act 3, scene 3 Prayer Scene

Claudius again reveals his more human side. Rather than offering us a
completely evil villain, Shakespeare shows us a glimpse of his inner
turmoil O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven. He realises that he
cannot gain forgiveness for as long as he still possesses the advantages
he gained from committing the crime my crown, mine own ambition and
my queen. He pleads with heaven for comfort o wretched state! O
bosom black as death!help angels

Ironically, Hamlet postpones killing Claudius because he wants him to

suffer for all eternity trip him that his heels may kick at heaven . Hamlet
leaves & Claudius then reveals that he hasnt been able to truly repent &
thus hasnt been forgiven my words fly up my thoughts remain below.
Words without thoughts never to heaven go. Claudius has been
extremely fortunate if it werent for the circumstances Hamlet would
have murdered him (& sort of tries to in next scene)

Act 4, scene 1 & 3

Our brief sympathy for Claudius is quickly extinguished. Despite Polonius

being his chief adviser, his reaction to Polonius murder is selfish relief that
it wasnt him that was killed O heavy deed! It had been so with us, had
we been there.

Claudius now has the perfect excuse to send Hamlet away. He knows that
Hamlet is popular and so doesnt punish Hamlet himself for fear of
negative publicity yet must not we put the strong law upon him, hes
loved of the distracted multitude.

His order that Hamlet be killed upon arrival in England will solve the
greatest obstacle to Claudius retaining power and ensure his crime
remains undetected do it England for like the hectic in my blood he rages
and thou must cure me .

Act 4, scene 5

Ophelias madness is revealed and Claudius lists their woes O Gertrude,

Gertrude! When sorrows come, they come not single spies but in
battalions. First her father slain, next your son gone and he most violent
author of his own just remove; the people muddied poor Ophelia divided
from herself and her fair judgementher brother is in secret come from
France but his main concern is that people would believe he had
something to do with Polonius death.

He courageously faces down Laertes accusations o thou vile king, give

me my father & ironically finds comfort in the idea that as Gods
representative on earth God will protect him Let him go Gertrude, do not
fear our person, theres such divinity doth hedge a king that treason can
but peep to what it would . Laertes is difficult to calm t0 hell

allegianceI dare damnation & Claudius again uses his talent for flattery
to win him over, Good Laerteswhy now you speak like a good child and
a true gentlemanI am guiltless of your fathers death urging him to
distinguish between friend & foe where th offence is let the great axe
fall.
Act 4, scene 7

Laertes demands an explanation why Claudius has not punished Hamlet

for murdering Polonius. Claudius uses Hamlets popularity the great love
the general gender bear him and Gertrude she is so conjunctive to my
life and soul, that as the star moves not but in his sphere I could not but
by her as excuses.

Claudius receives news that Hamlet has escaped the ship & returned to
Denmark.

Claudius uses emotional blackmail to manipulate Laertes was your father

dear to you? Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, a face without a
heart? What would you undertake to show yourself your fathers son in
deed more than words? (Laertes replies to cut his throat i th church).

The entire plan to challenge Hamlet to a duel, to poison the tip and the
poisoned cup is dreamed up by Claudius but Leartes goes along with it
because Claudius has convinced him that this will be proof of his devotion
to his dead father.

Claudius reaction to Ophelias death is irritation. He fears it will provoke

Laertes How much I had to do to calm his rage! Now I fear this will give it
start again

Act 5, scene 1

Claudius is eager to separate Hamlet and Laertes pluck them asunder

and to keep Laertes calm o he is mad Laertes because he doesnt want
their plan to be ruined. He wants Hamlets death to seem like an accident.

Act 5, scene 2

Claudius makes only a very feeble attempt to save the Queens life
Gertrude do not drink and then tries to distract attention from her when
she collapses she swoons to see them bleed. Claudius clings to life until
the very end O yet defend me friends, I am but hurt.

Now think about how you might organise this information into 6 paragraphs of
information.

You might begin with your first impressions of him. Act 1, scene 2.

Then you might discuss the scene where Hamlet meets the Ghost of his
dead father and how the audience are heavily influenced by the vivid

description of his horrific crimes (regicide, incest, adultery). From the very
beginning of the play we are seeing events through Hamlets eyes. Once
the ghost clarifies what really happened we find it hard to escape our
impression of Claudius as a murderous usurper.

In your third paragraph you might discuss the steps he takes to find out
how much Hamlet knows. Hes a clever actor who plays the part of
concerned uncle very well when he summons R&G. Hes also remarkably
calm under pressure during the Murder of Gonzago.

Next discuss his aside (How smart a lash) and the Prayer scene which
offers evidence that he has a conscience and think about the effect this
has on the audiences sympathy for him. However balance that against
the fact that he doesnt confess OR give up the fruits of his crimes.

In your fifth paragraph look at the completely selfish reaction to the

deaths of Polonius (his chief advisor), Ophelia, and Gertrude (his wife and
think about how this influenes our view of him.

Finally discuss the Machiavellian ruthlessness revealed in his emotional

manipulation of Laertes. To say we admire him seems strange but in a way
we do admire his evil genius his determination, his intelligence, his
practical decisive nature even though we cannot approve of the way he
uses these talents for evil rather than for good.

GERTRUDE QUESTION

Is Gertrude an innocent victim or a sexually and

morally corrupt woman in Hamlet?
STRUCTURE
Now you need to organise this information into 6 coherent paragraphs.
1. You could begin by discussing our first impressions of her she is accused

of adultery, incest and a hasty remarriage which implies a betrayal of her

first husbands memory. She is initially insensitive to Hamlets grief.
2. You could then discuss the Ghosts view of her and her inability to see

what kind of man Claudius truly is. Yet there must be something to love in
her (the Ghost still loves her and despite everything that has happened so
does her son).

3. You could then look at the evidence of her motherly concern which is clear

throughout the play -through all the spying plots & particularly after he
murders Polonius.
4. Look at how she reacts when Hamlet confronts her she is not guilty of

murder, but admits to her sins and is tortured by them. She is racked by
guilt (prob for incest/adultery/betrayal) and shows genuine remorse.
5. Gertrudes humanity shines through in her compassionate reaction to

Ophelias madness and death.

6. Finish examine the final scene: look at how she pays the ultimate price for

her inability to see her man for who he truly is. She dies.

Act 1, scene 2 First impressions

Gertrude seems genuinely concerned for her son but is also eager for him
to accept her marriage to Claudius Cast thy nighted colour off and let
thine eye look like a friend on Denmark. This desire to move on makes
her insensitive to her sons genuine grief.
Hamlet feels that her hasty remarriage is an absolute betrayal of his
fathers memory a beast that wants discourse of reason would have
mourned longer and proof that womens love is fickle frailty thy name is
woman. Hamlet accuses her of being guilty of both adultery and incest
(she prob is). Disgust at Gertrudes weakness and disloyalty dominates
Hamlets mind and soul and is the primary cause of his depression. Is he
being too hard on her?
Act 1, scene 5 The ghosts visit
The ghost desribes Gertrude as my most seeming virtuous queen and
reveals that in his opinion Gertrudes relationship with Claudius was
based on lust not love. There is no conclusive proof that Gertrude and
Claudius were involved in an adulterous relationship before the King was
murdered but it would certainly explain a lot their hasty remarriage,
Gertrudes guilt later on hen Hamlet accuses her of sinning and Claudius
indifference to her death (perhaps he was just using her all along and
seduced her while his brother was still alive to ensure that he gained the
throne once he murdered the King.)
Despite his hurt that Gertrude grew tired of him O Hamlet! What a falling
off was there (who wouldnt choose bad boy Claudius over a sap that
worries if the wind blows too roughly in your face? Sounds to me like
Gertrude just wanted a bit of rough. But don phrase it like this in your
exam!) the Ghost obviously still loves Gertrude, ordering his son not to
punish her Taint not thy mind, nor let thy soul contrive against thy
mother aught: leave her to heaven.
Act 2, scene 2 Rosencrantz & Guildenstern arrive
Gertrude hopes that R&G can help discover the root cause of Hamlets
unhappiness. She seems genuinely concerned about her too much

changed son and recognises the part she may have played in prolonging
his despair I doubt it is no other but the main/his fathers death and our
oer hasty marriage.
There is a hint here that she views her former husbands death as a natural
event she talks of his death, not his murder. This suggests that she had
nothing to do with it and possibly does not know that Claudius killed King
Hamlet.
Act 3, scene 1 The Nunnery Scene
Gertrude again shows motherly concern. She quizes R&G asking if they
managed to cheer him up.
She is full of hope that Ophelia can bring him back to his senses so shall I
hope your virtues will bring him to his wonted way again Although it
seems wrong that she would go along with spying on her , she is son she
is desperate to find some way to help him. Imagine if you caught your
mother reading your diary? Youd find it hard to forgive her, but then again
if she thought you were suicidal and was desperate to find out why so that
she could help you, you might just forgive her.
When Polonius comes up with yet another spying plan let the queen
mother all alone entreat him to show his grief Gertrude is not present.
This is significant because Shakespeare wants us to see Gertrude as
someone who despite her flaws is still looking out for her son rather than
plotting and scheming against him. Is she weak for going along with the
plan? Possibly, but again she is desperate to build bridges and to help her
son.
Act 3, scene 2 The Players Play
Gertrude stays calm during the play despite hearing lines like In second
husband let me be accurst, noe wed the second but who killed the first.
When Hamlet asks How like you this play Madam she responds The
lady doth protest too much me thinks to which he resonds cruelly O, but
shell keep her word. Despite the public embarrassment she does not
react, suggesting perhaps that she has nothing to hide.
Act 3, scene 4 Murder of Polonius
Gertrude expects Hamlet to treat her with respect (have you forgot me?)
not contempt (You are the queen, your husbands brothers wife, and
would it were not so, you are my mother).
She actually believes he might kill her Thou wilt not murder me? Help,
help, ho. Her panicked screams cause Polonius to also shout for help,
which results in Hamlet stabbing the mystery person whos hiding.
Gertrude is shocked O what a rash and bloody deed is this and then
confused by Hamlets reply A bloody deed, almost as bad, good mother,
as kill a King and marry with his brother to which she responds As kill a
King?. Here we have confirmation that she had nothing to do with King
Hamlets murder What have I done? What act? and truly believed that
he died of natural causes.
When Hamlet presents her with two pictures one of King Hamlet, one of
Claudius and asks how she could have chosen the lesser man, she begs
him to stop O Hamlet, speak no more, thou turnst mine eyes into my
very soul. He accuses her of letting her lust/passion/desires overcome her

common sense Nay but to live in the rank sweat of an unseamed bed
and again she is ashamed No more, sweet Hamlet.
Gertrude is deeply concerned about her son when the ghost appears O
gentle son whereon do you look?
Hamlet begs her to repent her sins and reject Claudius but she cannot
bear the idea of being forced to choose between her son and her
lover/husband O Hamlet thou hast left my heart in twain despite the fact
that she now knows what Claudius did (maye she thinks he did it so that
they could be together? We think he did it to gain power).
As the sene ends she agrees to help her son What shall I do? and when
Hamlet asks her not to reveal that his madness is just an act she promises
to keep his secret I have no life to breathe what thou hast said to me
Act 4, scene 1
Gertrude covers for Hamlet when she describes the murder of Polonius to
Claudius, claining that her son is mad as the sea and wind.
Act 4, scene 5 Ophelias madness
Gertrude reluctantly agrees to see Ophelia after initially saying I will not
speak with her. Perhaps she cannot bear to see the pain her son has
caused through his murder of Polonius.
She is filled with foreboding. Every event seems a sign that some great
disaster is imminent to my sick soul, as sins true nature is, each toy
seems prologue to some great amiss. Here Gertrude again recognises
that she has sinned she is probably referring to adultery and incest.
She remains loyal to Claudius in spite of all that Hamlet has told her. She
allows her emotions (love) to take precedence over her sense of right and
wrong (she should be morally outraged and disgusted by what he has
done). When she hears a mob outside calling for Laertes to become King
she is outraged O! this is counter you false Danish dogs. When Laertes
enters she tries to keep him calm and then tries to physically restrain him
from attacking Claudius. She is terrified that Laertes will kill Claudius
before they get a hance to tell him that Claudius did not kill Polonius.
Act 4, scene 7 Ophelias death
Gertrude describes Ophelias death and there is a poetic beauty in her
tragic words There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds
Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke; When down her weedy
trophies and herself Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide;
And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up: Which time she chanted
snatches of old tunes; As one incapable of her own distress, Or like a
creature native and indued Unto that element: but long it could not be Till
that her garments, heavy with their drink, Pulld the poor wretch from her
melodious lay To muddy death.
Gertrude seems deeply distressed and repeats the words drowned,
drowned sadly. Here we see a sharp contrast between Gertrudes genuine
sadness & Claudius selfish response which endears her to us.
Act 5, scene 1 Ophelias funeral
Gertrudes genuine grief is again evident Sweets to the sweet, farewell! I
hoped thou shouldst have been my Hamlets wife
She again tries to protect her son by explaining away his attack on Leartes
saying this is mere madness.

Act 5, scene 2 Final scene

Gertrude hopes Hamlet will win his fencing match against Laertes she
wipes his brow, then drinks to his health, accidently drinking from the
poisoned cup.
Claudius pathetic attempt to save her life makes us feel deep sympathy
for her It seems she truly loved him whilst he loves only himself.
Her final deed in the play is to try to save her sons life the drink, the
drink o my dear Hamlet . I am poisoned