Work Review Form for "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare

EVALUATION: 10 points if on time and at least C work; 5 points if up to one week late; 2 points if more than one week late

HOW TO SUBMIT: Copy the questions below into your word processor and fill in your answers (preferably in a different font or in boldface). Save your work in a word-processing document. Open Oncourse:InTouch and upload your work to the DropBox for Hamlet.

ASSIGNMENT: Read "Hamlet" on pp. 1278-1377 in NILshorter8.

As you read the play, consult the three parts of the Lecture on "Hamlet" at http://www.iupui.edu/~elit/shakes/ham/hamtoc.html When you are asked for your userid and password, type in the word: shakespeare (no capital letters, be sure of the spelling!) You will find most of the information you will need for the WRF and this should also help you with your response on the play!

Some students also find it helpful to listen to a record or audiotape of the play (available at your local library?) or to watch a video. Note that your answers will be based on the NIL text, and many movie versions differ from the text! The References section lists video versions, with many video stores having rentals of the production with Mel Gibson or Laurence Olivier or Kenneth Branagh.

Your name:

To earn points, answer ALL of the following questions about the play*:

1. Why is Claudius accused of being "adulterous," "incestuous" and "murderous"?

2. A foil is a minor character in a situation parallel to that of a major character. By comparing the foil to the main character, we can judge the major character's behavior. Laertes, Fortinbras and Hamlet are all men of about the same age who try to make up for the injustice they see in their father's death. Compare and contrast Hamlet to Laertes and Fortinbras and explain how you judge him in comparison to them.

3. Hamlet says he may put an "antic disposition" on. In the following scenes, is Hamlet pretending to be mad, actually mad or both? Briefly explain the reason for saying he is pretending, mad or both.?

· · Hamlet's questioning by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in 2.2

· Hamlet's conversation with Ophelia in 3.2

· · In the Mousetrap scene, 3.2

· · When he comes upon Claudius kneeling in prayer in 3.3

· · When talking with Gertrude in 3.4

· · In 5.1 with Laertes at Ophelia's grave

· · In 5.2 when he fights Laertes

4. Apparitions could be "true" ghosts of the dead or demons disguised as ghosts to lead the spectator to self-damnation. Or they could be hallucinations. How do you assess the ghost in 1.1 and 1.4? How do you assess the ghost in 3.4? Briefly explain your reasoning.

5. How do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern die?

6. Does Gertrude realize the cup is poisoned before she drinks it? Why doesn't Claudius keep her from drinking the poisoned wine in the last scene?