Question Details

 Hamlet ends Act 4 claiming that his thoughts “be bloody or nothing worth” from that point on. Then he sneakily sends his former friends to their deaths and fights with pirates. After he’s back in Denmark, though, he is content to banter with a gravedigger. He’s passionate and violent at the funeral, but seems remorseful in the following scene with Horatio and eventually apologizes for his behavior. Why do you think Hamlet isn’t able to maintain his “bloody” thoughts? What do you make of his going back and forth, or lack of focus, of you want to call it that?

 2 Leading up to the climax, Hamlet says “but thou wouldst not think how ill all’s here / about my heart. But it is no matter” (5.2.226-227), to which Horatio replies, “If your mind dislike anything, obey it” (5.2.231). Hamlet dismisses this, going so far as to say that they defy omens (“augury”). What do you make of his mindset or perspective now? Consider everything he’s said up to this point about Fortune and Fate/Destiny (he was born to set right the wrongs of Claudius, having his father’s ring to seal the letter, etc.). Do you think this is in keeping with his mindset throughout the play, or does it seem like a switch?

3 After Hamlet’s outburst at the funeral, Gertrude says “This is mere madness; / And <thus> awhile the fit will work on him. / Anon, as patient as the female dove / When that her golden couplets are disclosed, / His silence will sit drooping” (5.1.302-306). She’s basically saying that Hamlet has these fits of madness (maybe anger/emotion) and then he calms down. Do you think she’s right? What do you make of this?

4 Any sympathy for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, or do they deserve what they have coming to them?