Matty G: Personal Response & Who's Who? Act 4

 

Who's Who:

King Claudius- ships Hamlet back to England; devises plan with the angry Laertes to kill Hamlet in a rigged fencing dual.

Queen Gertrude- explains Ophelia's death to Laertes. She is also unaware of the plan to kill Hamlet. Who knows what will happen to her in act 5.

Rosencrantz- his friendship with Hamlet is not really a friendship and hasn't for a while. However, after this act it is clear to both Hamlet and Rosencrantz where they stand with each other.

Guildenstern-his friendship with Hamlet is not really a friendship and hasn't for a while. However, after this act it is clear to both Hamlet and Guildenstern where they stand with each other. He is more loyal to the king than Hamlet. Hamlet knows this and never discloses any crucial information with them.

Hamlet-after killing Polonius, he actually seems mad at this point. I believe he has lost his sense of acting and has became crazy. The King has him shipped back to England, however his ship was attacked by pirates and he somehow informs the king by letter that he will be returning to Denmark with some kind of news.

Laertes- shows up at the King's palace wanting revenge. Claudius convinces him he is innocent and Laertes plans to attain his revenge for his father's murder and his sister's death by killing Hamlet in some way.

Fortinbras- is moving his soldiers across Denmark. Probably has other plans on his mind but I'm assuming act 5 will reveal that.

Ophelia- goes crazy and drowns in some body of water. It isn't clear if it's suicide or not, but that's what it seems like due to her recent behavior. 

Personal Response:

I actually like this play. I’m hooked and want to continue reading, but don’t want to get ahead of myself. Blood, gore, and betrayal all add up to make this an enticing piece of literature. Ophelia’s death I think will cause Hamlet to commit suicide in the end. He will either commit suicide for that reason, or because he will feel guilty after killing Claudius. Laertes might even kill him in their dual. I don’t know exactly. What I am almost positive of though is that Hamlet will die before the end of the play. I just don’t see Shakespeare allowing Hamlet to live happily ever after.