1. At the opening of act five, one of the two Clowns (rustics, or men of lower class, not clowns as we understand the word) is puzzled that Ophelia will receive a proper burial. Why? How does the Second Clown explain this treatment (5.1.22)? (Also, note the Priest’s reluctance in the proceedings).
They are puzzled because they (and probably the general public) believe that Ophelia killed herself, and those who committed suicide in those times did not receive a proper (“Christian”) burial. This is explained away as the water coming to Ophelia and causing her death, not Ophelia going to the water herself. Another reason why is because she was a courtesan’s daughter and could afford such treatment on her own.
2. Whose skull does Hamlet recognize in the graveyard?
Yorick, the former king’s court jester.
3. How long has the “grave‐maker” been working at his craft? What events coincided with his first day on the job?
He started the day that the late King Hamlet killed the late King Fortinbras in battle, which happened to coincide with the day that Prince Hamlet was born (so, roughly 30 years ago).
4. Hamlet imagines that the dirt that the Clown is digging could actually be who? What happens to these great figures in Hamlet’s imagining?
He imagines that the dirt is Alexander the Great or Julius Caesar and that they could be used to plug up holes in things like beer barrels and walls.
5. There are two surprising stage directions in 5.1: Laertes, then Hamlet, “leaps into the grave.” What are they fighting over?!
They are fighting over who loved Ophelia more (apparently, they both loved her enough to die in her name, buried alive).
6. Hamlet did inherit something from his father that proves quite useful in his stratagem against Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. What is it?
His father’s signet ring that bears the seal of Denmark, which he used to forge a document in his favor meant to be from the king.
7. What causes Hamlet’s death (and is also the cause of death for the entire Danish court (including Hamlet I))?
The poison that was provided by Claudius.
8. What is Laertes’s dying wish? Is it fulfilled?
He asks Hamlet to forgive him for his accusations, and Hamlet does just that.
9. Just before Hamlet dies, he offers his “dying voice” to Fortinbras. What does he mean by this? What is going to happen to Denmark after the play?
Fortinbras has his “vote”/support for overtaking the Danish throne now that the royal lineage has expired. This means that Denmark will be taken over by Norway (at least annexed) after the play is over.
10. What orders does Fortinbras give at the end of the play? What is the significance, do you think, of this action?
Hamlet’s body is to be carried away to a royal, respectable burial, complete with adoration of his supposed heroic qualities and an armed salute. The significance of burying Hamlet like a soldier shows that not only does he approve of Hamlet’s actions, but that because of his approval, Denmark may remain rotten regardless of who the leader is.
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