Matty G: Clarification Questions & Personal Response Act 5

Clarification Q's:

1. How does Hamlet come back to Denmark at the exact time Ophelia was getting buried?
2. Why would Hamlet agree to fight Laertes? 
3. Was he not concerned at all that Laertes might be trying to exact his revenge?
4. Did Hamlet ever have a plan to kill the king or did the opportunity just come about?
5. How did the weapons get switched?
6. Do we ever find out if the ghost was appeased or not after Hamlet kills Claudius?

Answer to #3:

Hamlet did seem to be aware that Laertes was a better fencer than himself. However, the idea that Laertes would attempt to kill him during the dual never seemed to occur to him. I don't understand how he had not thought of that possibility after Laertes became furious at the sight of Hamlet at the graveyard and tackled him. Hamlet was responsible for Laertes father's death, which led to his sister, Ophelia, going crazy and her death. As clever has Hamlet was it seems odd that these thoughts didn't cross his mind.

Personal Response:

I really enjoyed reading Hamlet. It was filled  with suspense, lies, and murder, making it interesting throughout. The hardest part was understanding the Shakespearean writing. However, watching the movie along with reading it cleared up several parts that were difficult to understand by just reading them. I was surprised the ghost never made another appearance and also the role Fortinbras played. I assumed he would take back his kingdom by force; not by showing up and everyone being dead.