Hamlet Questions on Act 5, Scene 2
Hamlet
What are the three attempts Hamlet makes to kill Claudius?
Hamlet tries to kill Claudius when he's at prayer, but he holds back because he's worried that if he kills Claudius, then his wicked uncle will go to heaven. He tries again in the next scene, only...
Hamlet
Who says the quote from Hamlet, Act 5, "No, no, the drink, the drink—O my dear Hamlet— / The drink, the drink! I am...
Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, calls out this line to Hamlet in act 5, scene 2 when she's overcome by the poison that Claudius has put in a drink intended for Hamlet. Gertrude's death is the first in the...
Hamlet
What is the meaning of these lines from Hamlet?
In these lines, Hamlet asks Horatio to delay his own death ("absent thee from felicity") and endure the harsh world to tell Hamlet's story. Hamlet wishes for Horatio to explain the true events that...
Hamlet
Obituary for a Deceased Character in Hamlet
Writing an obituary for a character in Hamlet involves a creative approach to summarize their life and death. For Ophelia, highlight her youth, beauty, noble birth, love for Hamlet, and passion for...
Hamlet
Hamlet's age in the play
Hamlet's age in the play is somewhat ambiguous. In Act V, the gravedigger states that he has been digging graves since Hamlet was born, and he has been doing so for thirty years, suggesting Hamlet is...
Hamlet
What is the significance of Claudius' quote "this pearl is thine" in Hamlet?
The significance of Claudius' quote "this pearl is thine" in Hamlet is that it appears to be a reward for Hamlet but is actually a deadly weapon. Claudius uses the poisoned pearl as a backup plan to...
Hamlet
What does Laertes' quote, "Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric. I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery"...
Laertes' quote means he acknowledges being caught by his own treachery, just as a woodcock is caught in its own trap. This quote reveals Laertes' regret and change of heart, leading him to confess...
Hamlet
What is the significance of this quote from Act 5.2, and what element does it portray?
This quote from Act 5.2 of Hamlet reveals the treachery at play, as Laertes informs Hamlet and others that the sword is unblunted and poisoned. Laertes acknowledges his own role in the scheme and...
Hamlet
What is the climax in Hamlet?
One moment in Hamlet that could be considered the climax is when Hamlet stabs Polonius in act 3, scene 4. Another climactic moment in the play can be seen in the duel between Laertes and Hamlet in...
Hamlet
In Hamlet, how do violent scenes contribute to the play's meaning?
Violent scenes in Hamlet highlight the play's themes of revenge, impulsivity, and the consequences of inaction. Hamlet's accidental killing of Polonius contrasts with his previous hesitation,...
Hamlet
What is the purpose of the fencing match in Hamlet?
The fencing match in "Hamlet" serves as the climactic resolution, orchestrated by Claudius to appear as a friendly competition. It is actually a sinister plot to kill Hamlet using Laertes' poisoned...
Hamlet
Why does Hamlet "defy augury"?
Hamlet "defies augury" in Act V, Scene 2, indicating his acceptance of fate beyond human control. Despite feeling uneasy about his duel with Laertes, Hamlet believes in a divine providence,...
Hamlet
Who helps Hamlet escape death in England in Shakespeare's Hamlet?
Hamlet escapes death in England with the help of Horatio and a pirate attack. In Act 4, Scene 6, Hamlet writes to Horatio explaining that pirates attacked his ship, and he boarded their ship,...
Hamlet
Where in Hamlet does this quote occur and which character says it?
This quote is from Act V, Scene ii of Hamlet, spoken by Hamlet to Horatio. Hamlet explains how he escaped death in England by replacing a letter ordering his execution with one condemning Rosencrantz...
Hamlet
What element does this quote portray and what is its significance?
The quote from Act 5, Scene 2 highlights themes of betrayal and justice in "Hamlet." Hamlet justifies the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern by arguing they brought their fate upon themselves...