MATA, Mae-Anne T.
HUM24B1
GEO-2
TOPIC: ACTS 1-2
QUESTIONS:
1. What does Hamlet think of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Discuss the symbolism of this idea.
2. Why must the king "not put the strong arm on" Hamlet?
3. What prompts Hamlet to say, "My thoughts be bloody or be
nothing worth!"?
4. What happened to Ophelia? What might be the cause/s?
what is she telling while in this state of insanity?
5. What does Gertrude inform Claudius of?
6. What reasoning does the King give Hamlet for sending him
to England?
7. Why is Hamlet’s guilt, regarding his delay in avenging his
father’s death, exacerbated by what Fortinbras’ men are
preparing to do?
8. What question does Laertes have for Claudius once he finds
out that Hamlet is responsible for his father’s death?
9. What reasons does Claudius offer for not dealing with
Hamlet for this crime?
A2: 5/24/18
ANSWERS:
1. “That I’d take your advice and than keep my
own secret. Besides, to be questioned by a
sponge”
- Hamlet called Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
a Sponge. A sponge is a porous material that
is capable of absorbing liquid and can expel
it out once squeezed. Thus, even though he
had considered them as a friend before, he
can’t just tell them things as they are
subjected by the commands of King
Claudius. They will boldly whisper
everything to the King once asked what did
Hamlet said. Therefore, he cannot just tell
them things but he needs to be cautious.
2. Hamlet is love by the masses. Therefore, even
though he killed Polonius, they cannot just severely
punish him. Masses is blinded by their love for
Hamlet. Justice cannot be exercise thoroughly as
they would be questioned and can caused rebellion.
3. He needs to act accordingly to what happened
meaning he needs to really take his revenge. If he
ought not to do anything then it would mean that all
the bad things that had transpired has no worth. “To
 be great doesn’t require only fighting for a
good reason, but rather that you will boldly
fight for barely any reason at all if your honor
was at stake.”
4. Ophelia become insane then drowned, causing her
death. Two causes might have triggered her
insanity. Firstly, his fathers death, killed by his
boyfriend. Second, his boyfriend will be sent to
England. The intense emotion she felt and the
sudden outburst of things make her lost her sanity.
She usually blabber about her father and his
teachings, and is also hinting how horrid the palace
is. He sings songs about Hamlet and how depressed
she is.
5. That Hamlet killed Polonius and her daughter
become insane then drowned.
6. That he is concern about the safety of Hamlet in
Denmark, that sending him away would let the
masses forget his crimes. Also for him to be cured
in England
7. “To be honest, we’re going to fight for a little
patch of ground that’s not worth anything
beyond its name”
- They are going to fight for a little patch of
land. This triggered Hamlets motivation.;
Because other people is willing to die just to
get a little of something. But he, who lost
everything, always delay his action, he
thinks that if he cannot do it then it would
just mean that his fathers death is not worth
it to fight for.
8. Laertes question Claudius why he is not making any
actions about the incident.
9. Claudius did not take any action regarding his crime
because he love Gertrude and the commoners love
Hamlet. Taking action against his crime would
depressed Gertrude and he didn’t want that as she
love her. A trial in public would not do anything
harm against Hamlet as his crimes would just be
overlook.
“Whatever I said against him would end up, like
an arrow aimed into a strong wind, come back
to hurt me.”