Act I feedback

Thank you all for contributing. Consider the questions for Act I closed. Everyone who wrote took the writing seriously so there was no need for me to assess the seriousness of your responses. If you answered all three of the questions I have awarded you full credit. 

From your answers, I also learned that most of your parents give pretty good advice.  Make sure you listen to them.  Laertes is going to get in a lot of trouble later in the play ... partially because he does not follow his father's wisdom.

Couple of warnings:

1. 3 students in this class fell behind on the blog and lost points.  You know who you are... please redeem yourself in the future.  I will check the questions for Acts 2 and 3 later this week, so be careful not to fall behind.

2. In other classes there were some nameless entries. Don't lose points this way.

3. In English, "advice" is a collective noun which means that it can not take a plural form.  So, your father can give you lots of advice through out your life or perhaps he gave you an important piece of advice last night ... but he can't give you "advices."  Got it?

Keep up the good work,

-Mr. Paul

I, 1

Even though the idea of seeing and believing in a ghost may seem absurd, most people during Shakespeare’s time did believe in them. For us, it’s like the idea of a UFO. Do you believe in the supernatural? Have you or anyone you have known ever seen or claimed to have witnessed some kind of supernatural being? Explain the circumstances surrounding it.

I, 3

Summarize the advice Polonius gives to his son Laertes. Does he seem wise or a foolish? Does it remind you of any advice your parents or grandparents have ever given you?

I, 4

In Scene 4, what facts emerge from Hamlet’s conversation with Horatio? How close are they? Do we have anyone in our lives who would stand by us like this?

II, 1

Have you ever had a good friend change dramatically? What was it like? Could you remain friends with them?

So, do you think Ophelia can maintain her relationship with Hamlet? Why or why not?

II, 2

To what extent do parents have the right to “spy” or check up on their children? What circumstance might allow or prevent this? Do Claudius and Gertrude have the right to spy on Hamlet?

III, 1

What is Hamlet's attitude towards women? Think of his earlier criticism of Gertrude -- "Frailty thy name is woman" -- as well as the way he treats Ophelia in this scene.

III, 3

Have you ever been in a situation of severe indecision? Hamlet reproaches himself constantly for his indecision. Think about all the times he has mentioned it as well as his behavior during the play. Is he being too hard on himself or not?

III, 4

What is Gertrude’s responsibility for all that has taken place, according to Hamlet?

According to you?

IV, 5

Before the 20th Century, mental illness was not seen as a treatable medical condition, as it is today, but as a permanent problem (or worse, possession by the devil). What do you think of Ophelia's "treatment"?

IV, 7

At this point in the play, the end of Act 4, how do you think it will end?

Act V, 1

Hamlet’s interaction with the gravediggers is one of my favorite scenes in all of literature. What does it reveal to us about Hamlet?

Also, knowing me as your teacher all year, why do you think I like it?

Act V, 2

The ending of Hamlet is very famous for it’s quantity of bloodshed. In all of this mess, is justice served?