GRADE 12 EHL

Hamlet revision

QUESTION 10: HAMLET – ESSAY QUESTION

Many of the characters in Hamlet are totally dishonourable and cannot be redeemed.
Critically discuss the extent to which you agree with this statement.
Your response should take the form of a well-constructed essay of 400–450 words, (2–21⁄2 pages).
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QUESTION 11: HAMLET – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION

Read the extracts below and then answer the questions that follow.

PTO
11.1 Refer to lines 1–2: 'I like him ... his madness range.'
What has prompted Claudius to utter these words about Hamlet? (3)

11.2 Refer to lines 8–11: 'We will ourselves ... upon your majesty.'
Explain what these lines reveal about Guildenstern. (3)

11.3 Refer to lines 18–20: 'My lord, he's ... hear the process.'
Explain how Polonius's plan, as described in these lines, is typical of his behaviour
elsewhere in the play. (2)

11.4 Refer to lines 22–23: ''Tis meet that ... makes them partial'.
Based on your knowledge of the play as a whole, comment on Gertrude's loyalty toward
Hamlet. (3)

11.5 Refer to lines 29–33: 'O, my offence ... my strong intent'.

Discuss how these lines influence your attitude toward Claudius. (3)
11.6 Place this extract in context. (2)

11.7 Refer to lines 2–5: 'Give me your ... a sore distraction.'

If you were the director of a production of Hamlet, how would you instruct the actor to
deliver these lines? Pay specific attention to body language and tone. Motivate your
instructions. (3)

11.8 Refer to lines 27–29: 'But till that ... not wrong it.'
Comment on the irony in these lines. (3)

11.9 Refer to lines 30–31: 'I embrace it ... wager frankly play'.
Critically discuss the change in Hamlet's attitude toward Laertes in the play. (3)
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ANSWERS

QUESTION 10: HAMLET – ESSAY QUESTION

 Below is the basis for answering this essay. Use the following as a guideline only.
However, also allow for answers that are different, original and show evidence of critical thought
and interpretation.  A range of examples should be used by the candidates to support their
arguments.

While some characters are totally dishonourable, there are others whose honour is
restored/redeemed. A mixed response would be the ideal response.
 Hamlet's obsession with revenge causes him to behave dishonourably. Although his desire to
avenge his father's death is noble, the means by which he achieves his revenge compromise his
honour and integrity. His cruel rejection of Ophelia and his killing of her father cause her to go mad
and lead to her death.
 Hamlet's rash killing of Polonius and lack of remorse at sending Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to
their deaths highlight his dishonourable behaviour.
 Hamlet returns from England willing to accept his fate and take revenge. He leaves Horatio to
relate the truth about his deeds and to restore the honour of his name.
 Claudius is a villain who is determined to keep his crown and his queen. Although he appears to
be a smooth and charming statesman, he is morally corrupt and resorts to dishonourable behaviour
to satisfy his lust for power. His excessive drinking and feasting have led to the country's gaining a
bad reputation.
 Claudius manipulates people and events: he recruits Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to betray
Hamlet; he sends Hamlet to England, with a letter instructing the English King to kill Hamlet; he
convinces Laertes to plot against Hamlet's life.
 Claudius's soliloquy in which he expresses some remorse for killing his brother might be seen as
a redeeming quality as he is not entirely without conscience.
 Polonius is corrupt and self-serving. His lack of honour is evident in his ingratiating himself with
Claudius and his behaviour towards his children. He has no compunction about spying on Laertes or
in using Ophelia as bait to spy on Hamlet; his penchant for spying inadvertently leads to his own
death.
 Laertes behaves dishonourably when he colludes with Claudius to kill Hamlet; he poisons the tip
of his sword to ensure Hamlet's death. His pretence at accepting Hamlet's apology before the duel is
hypocritical. However, he redeems himself when he confesses his and Claudius's treachery,
absolves Hamlet of his and his father's death and begs Hamlet's forgiveness for his own deeds.
 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's betrayal of their friendship with Hamlet is dishonourable; they
allow themselves to be used by Claudius to spy on Hamlet for material rewards.
 The ghost refers to Gertrude as his 'most seeming virtuous queen', implying that she is not as
honourable as she appears. Her marriage to Claudius is regarded as incestuous. Hamlet views her as
fickle and condemns her 'o'er-hasty marriage'.
 Although Gertrude never actively opposes Claudius, she does redeem herself when she protects
Hamlet by lying about Polonius's death and in warning Hamlet about the poisoned drink.
 Horatio behaves with honour at all times; his loyalty toward Hamlet is admirable.
[Credit valid alternative/mixed responses.] [25]
QUESTION 11: HAMLET – CONTEXTUAL QUESTION

11.1 Claudius has watched the play, The Mousetrap, and he now realises that Hamlet is aware of his
crime. As such, Hamlet represents a serious threat to Claudius. He says that Hamlet's madness is
dangerous if he is not restrained.
[Award 3 marks for three distinct points.] (3)

11.2 Guildenstern is obsequious/sycophantic/servile. He is willing to do Claudius's bidding by

accompanying Hamlet, his supposed friend, to England. He flatters the king because he is hoping to
gain Claudius's favour and benefit from Claudius's gratitude.
[Award 3 marks for three distinct points.] (3)

11.3 Polonius intends to spy on Hamlet and Gertrude's conversation. This is typical of his behaviour
as he spies on Hamlet and Ophelia's conversation and he sends Reynaldo to spy on Laertes in Paris.
[Award 2 marks for two distinct points.] (2)

11.4 Throughout the play, Gertrude is conflicted between her love for her son and her feelings/love
for Claudius. She displays a sincere concern for Hamlet's well-being and worries that her hasty
marriage to Claudius may be responsible for Hamlet's melancholic state/madness. However, she
never actively opposes Claudius, even after Hamlet confronts her and reveals that Claudius
murdered King Hamlet, nor does she oppose Claudius’ plan to send Hamlet to England. She
defends Claudius, throwing herself in front of him when he is threatened by Laertes and his
followers. She does however, protect Hamlet when she lies to Claudius about Polonius' death and
attributes Hamlet's actions to madness. She also warns Hamlet during the duel that the wine she has
just drunk is poisoned.
[Award 3 marks only if a comment is made.] (3)

11.5 The reader might feel sympathy/pity toward Claudius because he grapples with his conscience.
He is tormented by the guilt of having murdered his brother. He acknowledges that it is an unnatural
act, a sin against his own blood. However, although he longs to be able to pray for forgiveness, he is
unable to do so.
OR
The reader might feel disgusted and appalled by Claudius as he is not prepared to give up the fruits
of his unnatural act – his possession of the crown and his incestuous marriage to Gertrude. This
shows that Claudius is not sincerely remorseful nor does he want to face the consequences of his
actions.
[Credit valid alternative/mixed responses.]
[Award 3 marks for a well-developed discussion.] (3)

11.6 Claudius has arranged a duel between Hamlet and Laertes, which Hamlet accepts. Hamlet is
not aware that Laertes and Claudius have treacherously plotted his death and that the tip of Laertes's
sword is poisoned.
[Award 2 marks for two distinct points.] (2)

11.7 Hamlet might take Laertes by the hand or place his hand on his heart/shoulder to indicate the
sincerity of his feelings. He genuinely regrets the wrong he has done to Laertes which he attributes
to his madness. His tone might be sincere/apologetic/humble as he asks for forgiveness.
[Credit valid alternative responses.]
[The candidate's response should be convincing in context.]
[Award 3 marks only if the candidate refers to both body language and tone, and includes a
justification.] (3)
11.8 Laertes appears to accept Hamlet's apology fully, saying that he 'will not wrong it'. However,
he intends to betray his word and murder Hamlet, hence the statement is dishonest and hypocritical.
He will, in fact, kill Hamlet with his poisoned sword.
[Award 3 marks for a clear understanding of irony.] (3)

11.9 Initially, Hamlet was violent and confrontational toward Laertes at Ophelia's funeral. However,
he now realises that they have both lost their fathers and Laertes has as much right as he to want to
avenge his father's death. Hamlet recognises that he was wrong to scorn Laertes's grief and imply
that Laertes's love for Ophelia was not as deep and strong as his own love was for her. Hamlet's
attitude is now more empathetic and his demeanour is rational and reasonable.
[Credit valid alternative responses.]
[Award 3 marks only if a change in attitude is critically discussed.] (3)
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