Tues. Mar. 31, 2015: Hamlet Act III and IV

Today, we finished reading Act III of Hamlet and moved on to Act IV. If you were not here, you will need to complete the following questions:

Act III

8. What is ironic about Hamlet's failure to kill Claudius while the King is kneeling in prayer?
9. What is Hamlet's reaction when he realizes ha has killed Polonius rather than Claudius, whom he had presumed to be the one hiding behind the curtain?
10. What is the apparent purpose of the Ghost's appearance in the Queen's bedroom while Hamlet speaks with his mother?

Act IV

1. What is Claudius' response when Gertrude tells him that Hamlet has murdered Polonius?
2. What does Claudius direct Rosencrantz and Guildenstern do?
3. Why does Hamlet hid Polonius' corpse and then dash away when Rosencrantz and Guildenstern question him about it?
4. Why does Hamlet call Claudius "dear Mother"?
5. Why does Fortinbras send word to the Danish king (Claudius)?
6. How does Hamlet contrast himself (all men) to beasts?