Hamlet Act IV scene v

1
Hamlet Act IV scene v

• Make notes from the following slides
• In small groups, read Act IV scene v, discussing
  the points you have noted and the following
• How drama is created
• How Claudius is presented
• How Ophelias madness affects the audience

2
Hamlet Act IV scene v

• Ophelias madness is made clear for the audience
• We are told that, she speaks much of her father
  Shakespeare implies Polonius death has
  severely affected her
• Her songs seem nonsensical

3
Hamlet Act IV scene v

• the lover with sandal shoon is typical of the
  Elizabethan convention of a lover on a pilgrimage
• The kings comment that sorrows comenot single
  spies,/But in battalions foreshadows all the
  forthcoming deaths
• Claudius asserts that Opheliaa madness is due to
  Polonius death and Hamlets exile

4
Hamlet Act IV scene v

• we are told that Laertes has arrived in secret
  and many are spreading rumours With pestilent
  speeches of his fathers death
• Claudius is being blamed for the murder.
• Laertes enters with followers, calling Claudius
  vile
• Laertes again provides a contrast with Hamlet,
  asserting that should he remain calm, he

5
Hamlet Act IV scene v

• Laertes again provides a contrast with Hamlet,
  asserting that should he remain calm, he
• Cries cuckold to my father, brands the harlot
• Even here between the chaste unsmirched brow
• Of my true mother
• (l.117-119)

6
Hamlet Act IV scene v

• Laertes again provides a contrast with Hamlet,
  asserting that should he remain calm, he
• Cries cuckold to my father, brands the harlot
• Even here between the chaste unsmirched brow
• Of my true mother
• (l.117-119)
• Look at Claudiuss speech on lines120 125
  again he uses the repetition of Laertes name
  the structure of this is interesting Shakespeare
  linguistically reminds the audience of the
  earlier meeting on stage between these 2

7
Hamlet Act IV scene v

• The drama of this speech is increased by the use
  of punctuation though this may not be
  Shakespeares own, it undoubtedly indicates the
  switch of the Kings speech from Laertes to
  Gertrude the Let him go, Gertrude appears to
  indicate that she is holding Laertes back
• Claudius use of imperatives to Gertrude and the
  rational way he approaches Laertes anger seems to
  show a King who is in control, who knows how to
  deal with men and his wife

8
Hamlet Act IV scene v

• Again, Shakespeare uses Laertes to provide
  contrast with Hamlet he believes Claudius to be
  responsible, but will not be juggled with for
  onl Ill be revengd /Most thoroughly for my
  father
• Claudius asserts that he is guiltless of your
  fathers death
• Claudius insists that any revenge Laertes takes
  against him will bring not only his winnings that
  he is entitled to, but more

9
Hamlet Act IV scene v

• The drama of this speech is increased by the use
  of punctuation though this may not be
  Shakespeares own, it undoubtedly indicates the
  switch of the Kings speech from Laertes to
  Gertrude the Let him go, Gertrude appears to
  indicate that she is holding Laertes back
• Claudius use of imperatives to Gertrude and the
  rational way he approaches Laertes anger seems to
  show a King who is in control, who knows how to
  deal with men and his wife

10
Hamlet Act IV scene v

• Ophelias entry means that Laertes is doubly
  upset he questions ist possible a young
  maids wits/Should be as mortal as an old mans
  life
• Her references to death and the false steward
  are to Polonius and to someone who ravished his
  masters daughter

11
Hamlet Act IV scene v

• The King asks that Laertes choose friends who
  will judge whether he had any guilt in Polonius
  death

12
Hamlet Act IV scene vi

• Horatio receives letters from Hamlet