Hamlet Analysis: Key Plot Points and Character Motivations

What explanation does gertrude offer to claudius for Polonius’s murder?

• She states Hamlet is insane, hence why he murdered Polonius

What final plans are arranged in scene 7

• Claudius and Laertes plot to kill Hamlet in a duel Laertes will dip the tip of his sword in poison and (back-up) Claudius will poison a wine that is to be given to Hamlet

How does Fortinbras compare with Hamlet

• Fortinbras is a man who takes action, whereas Hamlet is passive and waits for things to happen

• Fortinbras is Hamlet’s foil

He replaced the sealed letter carried by the unsuspecting Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, which called for Hamlet’s execution, with one calling for the execution of the bearers of the letter

What new philosophy motivates Hamlet?

• He is willing to accept his fate because our fate has already been decided for us

Why did horatio not kill himself?

He wants Horatio to go on and tell his story and does not want to be thought of as a murderer or a traitor.

Why does hamlet accept the duel? He doesn’t want to be seen as a coward

And Hamlet has been practicing a lot and thinks he can beat Laertes

Quotes

1. Claudius is talking to himself

After rosencrantz and guildenstern try to find out where the body of polonius is, from hamlet

Reveals character of Claudius

I sent men to go find Hamlet and bring back Polonius’s body. It is too dangerous to have Hamlet loose in the castle. He also says that they should not arrest hamlet for Polonius’s murder. The general population, distracted by what they see, like him without knowing anything about him. When a man as loved by the people as Hamlet is punished, that punishment is frowned upon but not the offense. So that it doesn’t look like I’m panicking or acting rashly, my sending Hamlet suddenly to England must seem like it was planned deliberately in advance. Desperate illness requires desperate measures, or will not be cured at all.

3. Gertrude

Claudius

King finds out hamlet kills Polonius

Shows character of Claudius(character development)

In a storm, the wind and water are at odds with each other. Here the tempestuous image is used to convey Hamlet’s conflicted and disturbed mindset. The town of Arras, France made tapestries. These lines refer to Polonius’s having hid behind one. Hearing him, Hamlet stabbed him through the fabric.

4.  Laertes

Hamlet

After Hamlet and Laertes wound each other with the poisoned swords

Character development of Laertes and advances the plot

Justice is done when the man who poisoned Hamlet’s father, the King, dies by his own poison. Laertes feels guilty and remorseful, and finally reveals the truth that the king is to blame for Hamlet’s, his and his father’s death. With his last dying breath, he asks for forgiveness.