Describe the twists and turns of Hamlets soliloquy, “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt . . . hold my tongue” (pp. 14-15, 1.2.129-159). How does Shakespeare represent the movement of Hamlet’s thought in this speech? What makes the speech characteristically Hamletian?

Describe the twists and turns of Hamlets soliloquy

Describe the twists and turns of Hamlets soliloquy, “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt . . . hold my tongue”  (pp. 14-15, 1.2.129-159).   How does Shakespeare represent the movement of Hamlet’s thought in this speech?  What makes the speech characteristically Hamletian?

Describe the Ghost as precisely as you can in his dialogue with Hamlet, from the beginning of Act 1, scene 5 until his exit (pp. 27-30, 1.5.1-96). What details make him seem human, and what details make him seem ghostly or otherworldly?  Do you see any affinities between the Ghost and his son?

 

Consider the interchange between Hamlet and Horatio in Act 3 scene 2, where Horatio enters after the exit of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (pp. 68-9, 3.2.47-86, from “What ho, Horatio!” to “I will pay the theft.”) What is the nature of the Hamlet-Horatio relationship?  How do you interpret Hamlet’s high praise of Horatio?

 

Look at Ophelia’s language in her mad scene, 4.4. Although her madness may not be as “method”-ical as Hamlet’s, what do her sayings, songs and riddle-like remarks reveal?  Be as detailed in your analysis of her language as possible.  (Remember that Ophelia appears twice in this scene.)

 

Does Gertrude drink the poison on purpose in the last scene? Shakespeare doesn’t tell us.  You may choose to argue one side or both sides of this question.  But either way, try to reach the decision you’d have to make if you were directing the play: yes, she does it knowingly, or no, it’s an accident.