Hamlet Act 4 Scene 5

Act 4 Scene 5

1. What are the reasons for Ophelia’s madness?

* Her father’s death - “He is dead and gone” (4.5.29)

* Hamlet’s rejection (verbal abuse/ misogyny) – “ To-morrow is Saint Valentine’s day/ all in the morning betime,/ and I a maid at your window,/ to be your Valentine,/ then up he rose, and donn’d his clothes,. And dupp’d the chamber door,/ let the maid in, that out a maid/ never departed more.” ( 4.5.46-53) – saying that he left her

– he promised her that they would wed, but they never ended up having the chance to do that. “Before you tumbled me,/ you promised me to wed.” (4.5.60-61)

2. What is Laertes’ reaction to his father’s death? What are the indications of his being a perfect foil to Hamlet?

* Angry/upset – determined to kill whoever murdered Polonius – “ Let come what comes; only I’ll be reveng’d/ mostly thoroughly for my father.” (4.5.133-134)

* Contrast to Hamlet – Laertes acts right away but Hamlet almost always has to think things out – “ Let come what comes; only I’ll be reveng’d/ mostly thoroughly for my father.” (4.5.133-134) – blunt determination shows the obvious contrast to Hamlet

* “ The ocean, overpeering of his list,/ Eats not the flats with more impiteous haste/ than young Laertes in a riotous head.” – again, shows the contrast of immediate action.

3. What is Claudius’ response to Laertes threats?

* He tries to reason and negotiate with him and calm him down – fearless approach

* “ What is the cause, Laertes,/ that thy rebellion looks so giant-like?” ( 4.5.118-119) – calming

* “ Tell me, Laertes,/ why thou art thus incens’d” (4.5.123-124) – willing to negotiate/ reason

* “That I am most guiltless of your father’s death,/ And am most sensibly in grief for it” (4.5.147-148) – fearless (somewhat admirable trait)

* “Go but apart,/ make choice of whom y our wisest friends you will,/ and they shall hear and judge ‘twixt you and me;/ and if by collateral hand/ they...