Shahrukh Shaikh
Period 2
March 7, 2017
Something is Rotten in the State of Denmark
For each character, cite quotes and other evidence (commentary ok too) of their motives and intrigues. Whats REALLY
going on with these people? What are the possibilities? Quote chosen (Act, Scene, Line #s) eg: Hamlet: No (III, i, 96)
Act Hamlet
Act I In Act I, Hamlet has begun
the grieving process for the
death of his father. Instead
of just a usual death,
Hamlet believes that this
was an unfortunate
patricide that was done to
achieve vendetta. To aid
Hamlet, a ghost has come
to accompany him, and
knows the actual truth
behind his fathers death.
Hamlet is getting
increasingly suspicious in
regard to the death of his
father, as he doubt[s]
some foul play (!,iii,273).
Act II Hamlet seems to be very
confused and questions
everything throughout this
act. Everytime he is
Claudius
Throughout Act 1, Claudius
is an unempathetic being
towards Hamlet. Claudius
believes that Hamlet should
not care about the death of
his father, and instead, just
move on and embrace him
as the new King. This may
seem cold of him, but
seems rather reasonable in
this time, as people were
not expected to live a long
life. In addition to this, the
King is a lover of power. So
the death of Hamlets father
is of great news to him and
is very pleasing, because of
this, the death does not
bother him at all.
Claudius continues his role
of working as a dominant
individual in this play
because of his power. To
Gertrude Polonius
In Act 1, Gertrude conveys Throughout Act 1, Polonius
genuine concern for consistently eavesdropped
Hamlet. Hamlet just and barged into things that
experienced a loss of a he may or may not had to
loved one. However, she be in. For instance, in
does not know the true scene iii, Polonius gives
gravity of the death that Laertes sound advice and
Hamlet has experienced. then impedes on a
conversation with Ophelia,
persuading her to believe a
certain way about Hamlet.
This line of reasoning is
almost similar to that of a
swindler, as he is trying to
manipulate someone to
adopt some other form of
thinking. When speaking to
Ophelia, he states that
Hamlet walks with a large
tether (I,ii,134).
Gertrude has seemed to In this Act, Polonius
have developed a rather continues his trend of
submissive role throughout behaving in an ill manner in
this play. Easily being regard to his personality.
 confronted by someone, he
questions what exactly is
going on. However, Hamlet
does exercise some
dominance, as he pulls a
player out of the band of
players and requests the
performance of a specific
play. This shows that
Hamlet is willing to go out
of his way. Hamlet stated
How can this player be so
filled with grief and rage
over Priam and Hecuba,
imaginary figures whom he
doesnt even know, while I,
who have every reason to
rage and grieve and seek
bloody revenge, am weak,
uncertain, and incapable of
action? (II,ii).
Act III Because of the climactic
nature of this act, Hamlet is
seen in new ways.
Specifically, he has finally
put action into words. This
is a crucial turning point of
the play, as Hamlet has
committed deeds that can
no longer be reversed.
Hamlet believed that the
play he had seen worked
exercise this power,
Claudius uses his
connections and network to
find a means to connect
with Hamlet. This
connection is Rosencrantz
and Guilenstern, two
characters who help with
the chase of Hamlet.
Another reason why
Claudius continues his
power is because of many
diplomatic decisions made
by him in this act, especially
in regard to Norway.
In this act, Claudius words
seem to hold much more
weight than they usually do.
At this time, they typically
revolve around the fact that
Claudius did indeed commit
the murder he has been
accused of doing. Claudius
also continues to use
Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern as pawns to
overcome by other
characters and persuaded.
This seems to be a
character flaw in Ophelia.
She is also very intrigued
with the status of Hamlet,
mentally. Because of this,
she seems to be listening to
and working with Polonius
and his antics to get the
underlying details of how
Hamlet feels about the
situations at hand.
Gertrude played a
submissive role in this Act.
Throughout this Act,
Gertrude was impressed
upon by Polonius and was
essentially manipulated to
act as a scapegoat so
Polonius can listen to
Hamlets true intentions.
Gertrude was rehearsed for
as to what to say and how
Keeping up his mischief, he
seems to be upholding his
reputation of being rather
manipulative. It seems that
he has influenced
Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern to feel a
certain way about Hamlet,
while also exploiting
Hamlets sins with
Ophelia. These were not
held private, as Polonius
proceeded to tell everyone.
This Act is the end of
Polonius. Polonius worked
to dominate Gertrude and
have her work for him.
Because of this, Polonius
was given an easy way to
eavesdrop on a
conversation by Hamlet to
learn about some inside
details that only Hamlet is
aware of. However,
 to put his suspicions as a
reality. Unfortunately,
Hamlet does not know
what had happened to his
father, but has to make
blind guesses and logical
conclusions to arrive at his
conclusion -- resulting in
the death of polonius.
Hamlet questions: how his
audit stands, who knows,
save heaven (III,iv, 80).
Act IV After killing Polonius,
Hamlet is not so sure how
to feel. Once Claudius
discovers this death, him
and Hamlet get into a
verbal fight, as they
exchange insults regarding
the dead. Also, Hamlet
seems to be annoyed with
the soldiers, as they go
around killing who they
want. Hamlet draws a
parallel with his own
personal war against
Claudius.
Act V
Analysis
work for him and to confront Hamlet and Polonius makes a sound
manipulate Hamlet. accuse him of his during this confrontation,
wrongdoings. leading Hamlet to slay him.
At the scene of Polonius The main purpose of Deceased.
death, Claudius was Gertrude of this act is that
nothing but confused. This she is the bearer of bad
led him to behave rashly news. In this act, Gertrude
with Hamlet, as the two of bears the news that Ophelia
them got into a quarrel over has been killed.
the dead body. When
Laertes found out about this
death, Claudius found an
odd way to express as to
how this death occurred.
Because of these actions,
Claudius and Laertes work
to figure out a way to kill
Hamlet.
Deceased.