Hamlet Exam Prep Notes
Hamlet Exam Prep Notes
General Discussion
- Speaking truthfully while omitting details is a strategy employed.
Act III, Scene I Analysis
- Consider the purpose of spying on Hamlet.
- Hamlet uses Ophelia as a means to express:
- Hamlet's feigned innocence is used to mask guilt.
- The comparison of Claudius' actions to prostitutes using makeup highlights the act of concealing corruption with superficial innocence.
"To be or not to be" Speech
- Key considerations within the speech:
- Suicide
- Uncertainty of death
Spying on Hamlet
- Ophelia's awareness:
- Ophelia does not know they are being watched.
Director's Decisions
- Director's decisions involve:
- The extent of Hamlet's madness: Is it genuine, performative, or a combination?
- Hamlet's awareness of the spying
Hamlet's Mood
- Hamlet starts out nice toward Ophelia.
- Hamlet's mood shifts after the return of his gifts.
Nunnery
- A nunnery can be interpreted as:
Hamlet's Education
- Acting should:
- Not avoid emotion (be natural)
- Track Claudius to see more reality.
- Shakespeare's preference is for more realistic performances.
Hamlet's Character
- Hamlet:
- Feels a lot
- Thinks and talks about emotions
- Contrasts with remaining calm and relaxing
- May be an introvert
Hamlet's Cruelty
- Hamlet's cruelty is primarily targeted at:
The Mousetrap Play
- Lucius' relationship to Gonzaga is not specified.
- Hamlet compares himself to a recorder, implying he is being manipulated.
- Hamlet starts messing with Polonius to keep everything he's got.
Claudius' Punishment
- Hamlet's theory:
- Claudius should not be killed while praying.
- Claudius needs to face the same torments as his father's ghost.
Act III, Scene IV
- Hamlet murders Polonius in Act III, Scene IV.
Gertrude's Perception of the Ghost
- Gertrude's Perception of the Ghost
- Suggests Hamlet may be crazy.
"To be or not to be" Exact
- Hamlet wants Gertrude to:
- Tell the truth that he's not acting mad, my that he's not acting acting that he is.