The Writing Tasks at "The Hamlet Site" From the "Background Page": Royal Users of People POSTING OPTION #16: As you read and watch the play, consider how Claudius and Hamlet each use people for their purposes. Do you think Polonius knows as much about Claudius' actions and plans as Horatio knows about Hamlet's? What power does each have over Gertrude, the queen? Which of the two seems more effective at using people's distrust of someone else (e.g. Claudius using Laertes' distrust of Hamlet)? From the "Movie vs. Play" page: Intensity of Staging Posting Option 17: Select one scene after you have watched/read the play, and explain how intensity is achieved in the written scene or the scene as it is staged in a movie version. From the "Act I" page: Hamlet's Emotions in the First Soliloquy Presage Ill Posting Option #18: Note in his first soliloquy (speech alone--when truest sentiments are spoken) in I, ii, 129- 159, that Hamlet already seems suicidal. Besides depression, what other emotions does Hamlet run through during this brief speech--and how do his reasons prepare him to hear his father's ghost in I, iv? Living Like a Courtier--Posting Option #19: What is the gist of Polonius' advice to his son? Since Polonius is sort of the chief of the royal court, his advice is most relevant to getting along in that environment. To what extent does Hamlet seem to live by these same principles in order to plot against Claudius? That is, to what extent does Polonius' advice to his son, Laertes, foreshadow the way Hamlet and Claudius will contend with each other? (Also notice that Polonius's assumptions about intrigues and courtly plots allows Hamlet to trick Polonius into believing he is love-struck and to guess correctly that Polonius is eavesdropping on Hamlet's confrontation with Ophelia.) Are the Hamlets Evil or Just? Posting Option #20: Would Hamlet have any reason to suspect that this ghost was not really his father but instead some devil trying to trick him into killing Claudius in order to ruin Hamlet? In the end does Hamlet wind up looking like an assassin or does he kill Claudius at a time when it looks like justice? From the "Act 2" page: Polonius: Plodder or Plotter Posting Option #21: How does this dedication to indirection characterize Polonius? What kind of father would send someone to spy on his son and even start rumors about him? Is Polonius the babbling old fool that Hamlet seems to think he is, or is just playing foolish as Hamlet is faking craziness? How can you tell? Hamlet vs. Ophelia: Crazy or in Love? Posting Option #22: Is this the effect that Hamlet wanted? Why start his plot with Ophelia? Is there any indication that he is trying to tell Ophelia not to believe the appearance of madness? Contrast Hamlet's apparently mad behavior with the behavior of Ophelia later--who's really crazy and why? Motives for Using Ophelia Posting Option #23: Is Claudius convinced? Has Hamlet thrown him off the track? What are the various purposes of the various characters in the test that is arranged later using Ophelia as bait--Claudius's purpose vs. those of Polonius, Gertrude, Ophelia, and Hamlet. Soliloquys Reveal Hamlet's State of Mind Posting Option #24: Without these soliliquys, how would we know what Hamlet is really thinking and feeling? Does Hamlet seem crazy when he's by himself or sane, logical, and even resolute? From the "Act 3" page: Public vs. Private Revenge Posting Option #25: Why would Hamlet want an eyewitness to the confirmation of Claudius' guilt? If his vengeance is to be merely private, why doesn't he just stab Claudius right after the ghost tells him to kill this adulterous, murdering traitor--or at least in the chapel when he had a chance of getting away with no one seeing him? Hamlet's Guilt for Polonius Posting Option #26: Would Hamlet be executed for killing Polonius? Can he plead insanity? (You can guess how English law or Danish law might have treated Hamlet--assuming that the ghost would not testify for him--or you can estimate how current American laws might deal with Hamlet.) Posting Option #27: Based on what Hamlet said while stabbing Polonius by mistake, Gertrude has seen that Hamlet intends to kill the king--or has she? Why doesn't she warn Claudius? What's Hamlet Waiting For? Posting Option #28: What will it take for Hamlet finally to kill Claudius? What must be his state of mind, the condition of Claudius, and the opportunity for public justification? From the "Act 4" page: Where's Act 4? Posting Option #29: The Zeffirelli movie eliminates a lot of this act. What is lost and what is gained in doing so? From the "Act V" page: Ready for What? Posting Option #30: Notice Hamlet's last comment before the sword fight (V, ii, 202- 207). If "the readiness is all," what is it that Hamlet is ready for? How do Hamlet's soliloquies in this play help to trace the emotional change he has had to make to reach this point of readiness? Is Hamlet's Death Justice? Posting Option #31: In the grand scheme of things, why does Hamlet have to die? Why can't he live to take over the throne that was really usurped from him by the guilty, tyrannical Claudius? From the "Links" page: From "Watching III.i.90-141" After you view this scene (the approximate clock and counter numbers are shown above, right), jot down comments about the elements of staging in the Zeffirelli movie. A list of topics follows the list of camera shots/events in the scene--with a sample comment about the use of music at the end of the scene. A preview should help you see how to apply elements you notice in this scene to the motives and mental states of the characters--Hamlet and Ophelia. Props: Sounds/Sound Effects: Setting: Colors: Costumes: Camera Angles: Blocking (Actors' Positions and Movements): Light vs. Shadow: Music: Also see the dozens of questions in the Study Guide section of The Hamlet Site that can be used as reading notes and as writing prompts.