Act IV Scene V

Each scene must include a “critical quote” and a detailed explanation about why the quote is significant to a character’s development, action, thematic concerns or symbolic issues. Be sure to include the line numbers and who said it.

     "To you in satisfaction; but if not, Be you content to lend your patience to us, And we shall jointly labour with your soul To give it due content." King Claudius- 11 lines

- Claudius tells Laertes to ask his close associates that if he killed Polonius, if they say  yes Claudius himself will give the throne to Laertes. Laertes easily agrees, but Claudius thinks that Hamlet will be killed after this and that's why he is making such an offer to Laertes. This gives Claudius confidence that Hamlet will no longer be in his way. Therefore, in the end they make an alliance and Laertes wants to kill Hamlet to avenge his father's death. 

Choose a character and write a COMPLETE characterization of him or her. What do others say about the character? What do the character's soliloquies reveal about him or her? How do the character's actions provide insight? Who is this character's foil and why?

- Laertes is the son of Polonius and is Ophelia's older brother. He seems like a person who is quick to action and very passionate on things he do. He was in France and was spied on by his Father and he doesn't know that. He finds out the death of his father and how disrespectful his burial was. He rushes to the castle and wants to talk to the King. By this, he is the foil of Hamlet because Laertes is quick to take action to avenge the death of his father while Hamlet's revenge has been delayed for months. Therefore, Laertes will quickly do what he thinks and needs to be done for people that needs to be punished for their crimes. Yet Hamlet is lacking with his characteristics to Kill, but he vowed to be more bloody with his thoughts. 

Discuss a reference to any of the four themes that Shakespeare is exploring in Hamlet.

- One of the four themes that Shakespeare is exploring in Hamlet is Sanity(healthy mind)  vs insanity(madness). Ophelia has gone crazy after the death of her father. She visits Gertrude, which the Queen didn't want to see her because she feels guilty that her son caused her madness. Later, Horatio let her in, before the gossipers starts making up rumors that'll affect their reputation. She sings about chaos, death, and unrequited love, mostly what she has experienced. She talks about the death of her father and Laertes knows the truth. Also she talks about her love to Hamlet and their "good times", but talks about not being married yet. Ophelia's madness makes Laertes furious that makes him rush the castle to KILL. Therefore, Ophelia couldn't fight her mentally illness and she's gone crazy.