You will choose one question and respond to it. You will also comment on another classmate's post. (Two posts total for Act IV).
1. A foil is a character who is like the protagonist in some respects but who has contrasting qualities that "reflect" or illuminate the traits of the main character. Who are Hamlet's foils, and in what ways do their characters shed light on his?
2. Do Hamlet and Fortinbras meet in IV.iv? Why is this significant?
3. Why is Ophelia mad? Does anything she say make sense? What happens to her at the end of Act IV? What does her madness and death symbolize about the kingdom?
4. Look at the scene with Laertes and Claudius (IV.vii). What plans do they have for Hamlet? How does this scene establish Laertes as a foil for Hamlet?
5. Why is Hamlet less present in this act than in the previous three?
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ReplyDeleteQuestion 3, Why is Ophelia mad? Does anything she say make sense? What happens to her at the end of Act IV? What does her madness and death symbolize about the kingdom?
ReplyDeleteDuring Act IV one witnesses a change in Ophelia. She acts madly, singing songs, and eventually at the end of the act drowns herself.Ophelia's madness can partly be attributed to the death of her father. Like Hamlet, she is very upset about her father's death but not in the same way. Ophelia has as a woman always and solely depended on the men in her life. At the time women were required and expected to be submissive toward the men in their life often passing from their father to their husband. Without her father to submit to Ophelia does not know what to do with herself. Ophelia's madness can also be attributed to Hamlet's strange and confusing rejection of her. Another man whom she depended on has now abandoned her. Without her father, Hamlet and her brother Laertes whom is in France she cannot deal with her new independence. Also, this independence does not come to her in the easiest of ways. She has had to witness Hamlet's madness as well has her father's gossiping and sneaking ways. Ophelia's demise can certainly indicate that the kingdom is also on its way down. Ophelia's madness was triggered by the recent events brought on by man's greed as well as revenge. It is an indication of all things rotten in Denmark.
Clayton Nocker
ReplyDeleteQuestion 3, Why is Ophelia mad? Does anything she say make sense? What happens to her at the end of Act IV? What does her madness and death symbolize about the kingdom?
Ophelia begins to lose her mind because the people she depended on or loved became suddenly and seemingly permanently detached from her life. Her father constantly tried to convince her that her love Hamlet was an extremely poor choice in terms of a partner, discrediting every positive aspect about him. Not only that, but Polonious blamed her lover's supposed madness on her, saying that their relationship was the root of the problem. To make matters worse, Hamlet suddenly turned on her and told her that their relationship could no longer exist. These mixed messages all combined to continuously wear away on her mind. In the act she acts bizarrely and by the end of the act commits suicide by drowning herself. This is a reflection on the corrupt and immoral state of Denmark as seen through Hamlet's eyes: a government run by a murdering wife-stealer. It is implied that Denmark is spinning wildly out of control in the same way Ophelia had.
4. Look at the scene with Laertes and Claudius (IV.vii). What plans do they have for Hamlet? How does this scene establish Laertes as a foil for Hamlet?
ReplyDeleteClaudius and Laertes devise a plan to lure Hamlet into a duel and murder him with out making it seem like foul play. It sounds foolproof since Hamlet should end up dying whether he wins the duel or not. Despite the fact that Claudius didn't punish Hamlet for killing Polonius, Laertes and Claudius decide that Laertes deserves to take revenge on Hamlet. This is where Laertes is a foil to Hamlet, since both of their fathers have been murdered and they both resolve to take revenge.
Usually when someone is delivering tragic news of a loved one's death, they kind of soften the blow with specific word choices. When Claudius tells Laertes of Polonius' death, he doesn't do this at all, knowing that Laertes would appreciate his frankness. It's as if Claudius is purposefully manipulating Laertes to kill Hamlet.
5. Why is Hamlet less present in this act than in the previous three?
ReplyDeleteHamlet is absent in Act IV because King Claudius sends him to England physically removing him from Denmark and the play. Since the focus is no longer focused on Hamlets Madness we begins to emphasize on "the rotten thing in Denmark" As well as the other character that were left behind, such as; Ophelia's "crazy daisy" scene and many more. We also see different characters and events presented in the scene. Allowing the viewers and readers to see the conflicts and burdens the characters face.
As Ophelia begins to go insane, Laertes deals with Claudius ways to get around. but the most importantly we see how Claudius suffers under the death and guilty conscience of Hamlets death.
Hamlets Absence in this scene i would say is well planned as we can see how things are beginning to change and start to get rotten in denmark.
Why is Ophelia mad? Does anything she say make sense? What happens to her at the end of Act IV? What does her madness and death symbolize about the kingdom?
ReplyDeleteDuring the ActIV ophelia find out that her father has been killed making her feel lonly; and that the only person in her life has abanned/betyrayed her feeling angry similar to Hamlet when he found out that hes own father has been killed not accidently but purposly.Throught out the play Ophelia releases her anger and sadness by singing songs to Gertude. The first song that she sing is in scene 5 Which is basically ment for his father death. "Nay, pray you, mark.
(sings)
He is dead and gone, lady,
He is dead and gone,
At his head a grass-green turf,
At his heels a stone.
Oh, ho! OPHELIA
I’m sorry, did you say something? Please just listen.
(sings)
He is dead and gone, lady,
He is dead and gone.
At his head is a patch of green grass,
And at his feet there is a tomb stone.
Oh, ho!"-ophelia
The way that ophelia just sang to Gurtude like that made her look even more insane more then she was already. But the song were meaningfull because it really did say what she thought about the situation. Like the second song that she was singing was about Hamlet and the confusion of love and not love.
On the other hand,i believe that one of the main reason that Ophelia died was because she didnt really know what to do without his father,because ophelia was ton dependent to his father. But now that hes gone she felt like her life was over. Plus that Hamlet was the one that killed him making her even more insane seeing that man can betray woman. "Lossing trust"
In my point of view in believe that OPhelia madness and death symbolizes how woman in the kiingdom are to dependent to the men that they would feel like there life is over if the men was never around.
Why is Ophelia mad? Does anything she say make sense? What happens to her at the end of Act IV? What does her madness and death symbolize about the kingdom?
ReplyDeleteDuring the ActIV ophelia find out that her father has been killed making her feel lonly; and that the only person in her life has abanned/betyrayed her feeling angry similar to Hamlet when he found out that hes own father has been killed not accidently but purposly.Throught out the play Ophelia releases her anger and sadness by singing songs to Gertude. The first song that she sing is in scene 5 Which is basically ment for his father death. "Nay, pray you, mark.
(sings)
He is dead and gone, lady,
He is dead and gone,
At his head a grass-green turf,
At his heels a stone.
Oh, ho! OPHELIA
I’m sorry, did you say something? Please just listen.
(sings)
He is dead and gone, lady,
He is dead and gone.
At his head is a patch of green grass,
And at his feet there is a tomb stone.
Oh, ho!"-ophelia
The way that ophelia just sang to Gurtude like that made her look even more insane more then she was already. But the song were meaningfull because it really did say what she thought about the situation. Like the second song that she was singing was about Hamlet and the confusion of love and not love.
On the other hand,i believe that one of the main reason that Ophelia died was because she didnt really know what to do without his father,because ophelia was ton dependent to his father. But now that hes gone she felt like her life was over. Plus that Hamlet was the one that killed him making her even more insane seeing that man can betray woman. "Lossing trust"
In my point of view in believe that OPhelia madness and death symbolizes how woman in the kiingdom are to dependent to the men that they would feel like there life is over if the men was never around.
I agree with paulina about how Clausuius was kind of manipulating Laertes to murder Hamlet. One of the reasons that Clausious probably wanted Laetres to take revenge by killing Hamlet was so then Clauduis wont be the blame for it, leaving Leartes to do all the dirty work for him. Taking advantage of what Leaetes was feeling for Clausuis benifit.
ReplyDeletein response to Paulina and silvia...
ReplyDeleteI do think that Claudius only wants Laetres to take renevge on his father so he can serve as a cover up for claudius as he does all the dirty work like silvia mentioned.
Selin's commentary in response to Paulina, Silvia and Mirna's commentary,
ReplyDeleteClaudius lucked out in the sense that Laertes came back just in time to kill Hamlet. Claudius wants Hamlet dead. His sending Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to England with a letter explaining that Hamlet is to be killed upon his arrival is one indication. Hamlet's actions serve to make Claudius feel his guilt more severely. Claudius would rather not have to kill another person; suspicion may already be rising around his first murder. If Laertes kills Hamlet in a duel Hamlet's death would seem more justified. Claudius is using the situation at hand to further his own agenda.
4. Look at the scene with Laertes and Claudius (IV.vii). What plans do they have for Hamlet? How does this scene establish Laertes as a foil for Hamlet?
ReplyDeleteLaertes and claudius have decided that the root of "what is rotten in Denmark" is truly hamlet's unruly and unusual behavior. So to remedy the situation they have decided to have hamlet killed in an attempt to restore order to their fallen kingdom. Laertes' quick tempered actions and immediate response show him as a far better candidate for the revenge of king Hamlet. Laertes also shows Hamlet's utter failure to complete any of his goals whatsoever. While Hamlet is given multiple opportunities to complete his revenge he never takes them, on the other hand instead of waiting for an opportunity to take action laertes literally busts the door down and forces his opportunity forward.
Young Fortinbras mirrors Hamlet’s vengeful side. He shares the same aspects and to some degree the feelings Hamlet has. Both characters have had their fathers killed. Another person who shares a loss of a father is Laertes. What makes these characters valuable is the contrast of how revenge is carried out. Hamlet represents the logical, delayed and contemplative nature of revenge. Young Fortinbras reflects more on how Hamlet is obliged by his father to take action and set things right. Young Fortibras carries the burden caused by the deceased King Hamlet; as does Hamlet. He must take revenge for the sake of returning things to how ideally they should be. Hamlet on the other hand does as he is told and how his emotions dictate for him to unravel his path at certain times, otherwise he is overly contemplative and evades action. Laertes represents this side of Hamlet. After he found out about his father’s death, and the culprit behind he has his deep emotional shock. Something Claudius does best in his power to exploit. Laertes however does not evade action by any means; he even accepts the fact that he will be used by the king. This humble obedience reflects Hamlet’s own toward the ghost.
ReplyDeleteKyle Neumann's response to Silvia's post
ReplyDeleteClaudius seems to be manipulating a random yet fortuitous event. With laertes, Claudius is spared blame for any crimes and can make it look like hamlet died an honorable death in a duel. But I do believe that if laertes did not come at such a time Claudius would have killed hamlet himself without even having to think on it. I believe Claudius did not intend to remove blame from himself but it just seemed to work out in such a way.
2. Do Hamlet and Fortinbras meet in IV.iv? Why is this significant?
ReplyDeleteIn Act.4 scene 4 Hamlet and Fortinbras do not meet. Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are on their way to the ship that is going to take them to England, on the trip there he meets the captain that Fortinbras sends to speak to Claudius. This scene is very important to Act four because Hamlet changes his way of thinking. The captain telling Hamlet that they are fighting the Poles for a piece of land that has no money but has a name, made Hamlet think that the Norwegians were fighting for land that was not going to make them gain something. In the other hand Hamlet taking revenge of his fathers death was going to make him gain his father honor. At the end of scene four, Hamlet gives the long speech that at the end he says he is going to start thinking “bloody”.
I agree with Selin over the cause of madness for dear Ophelia. Revenge not only causes damage to the designated victim and the bearer of said feeling. Madness afflicts all, it is almost like a disaster that only spreads and brings ruin upon everyone around. The men in Ophelia’s life were all in all rotten. Shakespeare wanted to comment on how women in those days were subject to men as putrid as the filth of the sewers. Ophelia has every right to enter madness; everything around her is a big mess. Hamlet is un-courteous and rude toward her and out-of-whack. Her father cares all about his image and any action that defiles his reputation. Laertes tells her to not have any relations with Hamlet. All these show the vile, male population treats women as they please suppress their freedom. Religion. Conservatism. All the old fashioned ideals that dominated that era; women were therefore made dependent on these oppressive men. When the men leave or neglected they know not what to do. The mental shock is too great and results in pushing the woman in a situation that is unprecedented. Ophelia suffered greatly from Hamlet’s awkward approaches, and her father’s death. Without a person to rely on she suffers even more. Women in this play suffer as a result of various factors: oppression, lose of loved ones and loneliness. Ophelia is forced to go mad, the society, filthy with conservative ideals only add oil to the flame.
ReplyDeleteComment to Mirnas post
ReplyDeleteMirna is correct saying that Hamlet is less present in Act 4 because he is sent to England. I believe Shakespeare sends Hamlet to England so the act revolves more on the non-protagonist characters, to see how Ellsinore is with out Hamlet. This act is mostly about what is going on after the death of Polonius.
Paulina commenting on Selin's post.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Selin. When Ophelia has no one else to depend on, and being the frail, dependent woman she is, she then has nothing left. With all of her support abandoning and mistreating her, since she probably has never been independent in her whole life, it makes sense that the only way her mind can cope with this distress is to go insane. After going crazy, she really is just living in her own world and escaping from reality, just like any other insane person does.
Why is Hamlet less present in this act than in the previous three?
ReplyDeleteIn this act, Hamlet is sent to England and so he is no more present in Denmark. Also, I believe Shakespeare used this act to explain the future events that are going to be seen in Act 5, such as the duel and Ophelia's death. In the first couple of Acts, we have seen the play, mostly from Hamlet's point of View, and rarely the other characters. Also, the driven force behind this act is a reactant to Polonius' death. It would only make sense for Hamlet to be less present since he is probably the least concerned with it. I mean Hamlet is concerned but not as much as the other characters. It affects Ophelia because she's gone into a state of madness over dependency on the men in her life. Laertes is upset because his father is dead. Gertrude is worried about the mental health of her son. Cladius is worried that Hamlet's murder of Polonius would put him next on the hit list.
"Claudius lucked out in the sense that Laertes came back just in time to kill Hamlet. Claudius wants Hamlet dead. His sending Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to England with a letter explaining that Hamlet is to be killed upon his arrival is one indication. Hamlet's actions serve to make Claudius feel his guilt more severely. Claudius would rather not have to kill another person; suspicion may already be rising around his first murder. If Laertes kills Hamlet in a duel Hamlet's death would seem more justified. Claudius is using the situation at hand to further his own agenda."
ReplyDeleteLola's Response to Kyle Neuman's
I believe that if Cladius wanted to kill Hamlet himself, he would have done it by now. Just like Hamlet, Cladius is being logical about murdering another human. Earlier he wanted to put Hamlet in jail, but was too afraid, because the people of Denmark love Hamlet. Laertes, as everyone mentioned earlier, is a foil because Laertes has come to seek avenge on the man who killed his father. This is a convienence for Cladius because Cladius wants to kill Hamlet and yet maintain this "Good Guy" reputation with Denmark.