Hamlet

Assignment to have been completed: Students should have read 3.4 of Hamlet while following the study guide questions.

Activities:

• A. Use the following questions (and answers) to facilitate a discussion of 3.4 of Hamlet.

  Act III, Scene iv

  • 1. How does Shakespeare use parallelism to build dramatic tension in lines 12-13?

    The two lines are identical in structure and differ by only three particular words: “Hamlet” - “Mother,” “thou” - “you,” and “thy” - “my.”

    The first line asserts Gertrude’s purpose in summoning her son; the second makes Hamlet’s charge. With nearly identical words each character accuses the other and sets up the basic conflict of the plot.

  • 2. What is the dramatic significance of lines 98-99?

    Gertrude confesses her complicity in sin by admitting the secret of the dark spot on her soul.

  • 3. Why, in your opinion, does Shakespeare make the ghost invisible to Gertrude?

    This is an OPEN QUESTION. Students should be led to understand, however, that by making the ghost invisible he has made it impossible for Hamlet to enlist his mother as an ally easily. He must still carry out his mission on his own.

  • 4. What does Hamlet mean in line 199? Is his assertion believable?

    Hamlet asserts that only by putting on the pretense of madness, only by being blunt with his mother, only by substituting appearance for reality can he achieve the task his father’s ghost has set for him.

Assignment for next class meeting: Read 4.1-4 of Hamlet. Prepare the corresponding study questions.