Act IV Scene II

-Comment on Shakespeare’s 2-3 literary devices you see, such as: symbols, metaphors/similes, antithesis, personification, allusions, or others that you may know. How is the device or devices significant to the scene? The characters? How does it add to a theme?

"Besides, to be demanded of a sponge!" 

- One literary device is a metaphor, Hamlet compares Rosencrantz to a sponge. He is insulting him that he is a Prince and he should not be controlled by a servant. Or I mean a sponge who follows all the orders of Claudius. Hamlet knows what he is and want people to know that he will not be manipulated or controlled by anyone. This scene is when Hamlet tells Rosencrantz that he is a sponge who does the King favors and when he is not needed, he will be disposed. Also he insults him, but doesn't understand that he is being insulted for being stupid. 

"The body is with the king, but the king is not with the body." 

Another literary device is Antithesis. Hamlet is saying that the King can't make up always and he will need need to obey the laws. Therefore, even if the King dies, the law stays alive because it became a principle. 

-Comment on a character’s choices. Do they seem to be leading to an inevitable end?

- R & G are just servants to the King and they don't have choices to follow except to obey the Claudius orders. Rosencrantz asks Hamlet where he hid Polonius corpse, but Hamlet does not tell them. Basically, Hamlet is pissed that they were lying to him and now asking him questions he doesn't even want to answer. The sad reality of the two is that they will never reach anywhere high and they will always be servants. Therefore, they were born servants and they will die as servants. 

-Rewrite (don’t just summarize!) a significant speech in your own words.

"Ay, sir, that soaks up the king's countenance, his Rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the King best service in the end......"               - Hamlet

- This speech is 6 lines, Hamlet is talking to Rosencrantz. In Act IV Scene II, Rosencrantz is asking Hamlet to tell where Polonius corpse is, but Hamlet denies to follow his demand. Surprisingly, Hamlet calls Rosencrantz a sponge, but he does not understand. Hamlet explains to him that Claudius has people surround him only those who can do favors for him. When those become useless, they will be thrown out and disposed like garbage. Therefore, Hamlet is telling Rosencrantz that bad things will happen if he keeps sticking with Claudius and obeying his orders.