Hamlet, Part 8: Themes

One theme in Hamlet is "death conquers everyone." Which statement explains how Act V of Hamlet develops this theme? As a gentleman, Osric is able to stay out of the fight without dying. Even though he's a gentleman, Horatio survives all the fighting. Fortinbras takes advantage of the death of the royal family and becomes king. Despite the fact they are royalty, Hamlet, Laertes, Gertrude, and Claudius die.

Despite the fact they are royalty, Hamlet, Laertes, Gertrude, and Claudius die.

Horatio: They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord? Osric: How is it, Laertes? Laertes: Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric; I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery. -Hamlet,William Shakespeare Which theme is best supported by the passage? The strongest will always prevail. Perfect justice can never be achieved. Revenge is ultimately self-defeating. There is dignity even in defeat.

Revenge is ultimately self-defeating.

Laertes: He is justly serv'd; It is a poison temper'd by himself. Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet: Mine and my father's death come not upon thee, Nor thine on me! [Dies.] Hamlet: Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee. I am dead, Horatio. -Hamlet,William Shakespeare Which statement best describes the interaction of themes in this passage? The passage shows that the truth is hard to discern because revenge is pointless. The passage shows that people fear death because they cannot discern the truth about it. The passage shows that revenge is pointless because death conquers everyone in the end.

The passage shows that revenge is pointless because death conquers everyone in the end.

Sort the tiles according to whether or not they express a theme.

Theme: • Love conquers all. • Time heals all wounds. Not a Theme: • Friendship • Achieving a goal • A girl runs a race.

What is the first step in determining the theme in a play? identify an important topic in the play study how the play's structure supports the topic decide what the play says about the topic state a message about the play's topic in a sentence

identify an important topic in the play

Hamlet: Do you see nothing there? Gertrude: Nothing at all; yet all that is I see. Hamlet: Nor did you nothing hear? Gertrude: No, nothing but ourselves. Hamlet: Why, look you there! look, how it steals away; My father, in his habit as he liv'd; Look! where he goes, even now, out at the portal. [Exit Ghost.] -Hamlet,William Shakespeare What topic is discussed in this passage? What does the passage reveal about the topic? Which theme is best supported by the passage?

seeing and hearing Gertrude cannot see what is right in front of her. The truth is hard to discern.

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[Hamlet:] Imperious Cæsar, dead and turn'd to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away: O! that that earth, which kept the world in awe, Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flaw. -Hamlet,William Shakespeare What does the passage reveal about the topic of death? Great rulers inspire awe even after they die. People can defeat death by creating memorials for famous people like Caesar. Death can transform even powerful people like Caesar into ordinary clay. Brave people like Caesar are not afraid of death.

Death can transform even powerful people like Caesar into ordinary clay.

[Hamlet:] Imperious Cæsar, dead and turn'd to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away: O! that that earth, which kept the world in awe, Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flaw. -Hamlet,William Shakespeare Which theme is best supported by the passage? Death is an insignificant force. Death conquers everyone in the end. Death keeps the world in awe. Death is a beginning, not an ending.

Death conquers everyone in the end.

[Laertes:] Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet: Mine and my father's death come not upon thee, Nor thine on me! -Hamlet,William Shakespeare Which theme is best supported by the passage? Forgiveness can be more powerful than the desire for revenge. Revenge is a necessary evil. No bond is as strong as the bond between a father and a son. Justice is more important than friendship.

Forgiveness can be more powerful than the desire for revenge.

Which statement provides the best objective summary of how Hamlet develops a theme? Hamlet is totally wrong when he talks about how death makes everyone equal. Obviously, we have things like history books to keep us from forgetting people who are truly important. Hamlet develops the theme "Everyone is equal in the face of death." Hamlet introduces this idea after Polonius's death, and he explores it further when he reflects on how great people become dust. Hamlet's speech on Alexander the Great supports the theme that death makes everyone equal, but I think the play should have shown how we can keep our loved ones alive in our memories.

Hamlet develops the theme "Everyone is equal in the face of death." Hamlet introduces this idea after Polonius's death, and he explores it further when he reflects on how great people become dust.

Write two to three sentences summarizing how the play develops a theme related to the topic of revenge. Be sure to use objective language and include at least one example from the text.

Hamlet explores the theme "The desire for revenge is destructive and ultimately pointless." Even though Laertes is ultimately able to forgive Hamlet, Laertes dies in his quest for revenge. This shows both the destructiveness and the futility of trying to get revenge.

Read the passage. When Moritz was a freshman, he joined the school's drama club in an attempt to overcome his fear of public speaking. Over the course of the next few years, Moritz performed in every play the drama club presented. He also participated in the club's acting classes, where he learned how to speak loudly and clearly, how to memorize lines, and how to improvise. In his senior year, Moritz landed a big speaking role, which he performed with panache. What is the theme of the passage? Celebrity is its own reward. Persistence pays off. Beauty wins in the end. Time heals all wounds.

Persistence pays off.

Read an analysis of a theme in Hamlet. One theme in Hamlet is that the rules of society are often based on wealth and power rather than fairness. Which excerpt from Act V of Hamlet best provides evidence of the this theme's development? Second Clown: I tell thee she is; and therefore make her grave straight: the crowner hath sat on her, and finds it Christian burial. First Clown: For here lies the point: if I drown myself wittingly it argues an act; and an act hath three branches; it is, to act, to do, and to perform: argal, she drowned herself wittingly. Second Clown: Will you ha' the truth on 't? If this had not been a gentlewoman she should have been buried out o' Christian burial. First Clown: I like thy wit well, in good faith; the gallows does well, but how does it well? it does well to those that do ill; now thou dost ill to say the gallows is built stronger than the church:

Second Clown: Will you ha' the truth on 't? If this had not been a gentlewoman she should have been buried out o' Christian burial.

Gertrude: Sweets to the sweet: farewell! [Scattering flowers.] I hop'd thou shouldst have been my Hamlet's wife; I thought thy bride-bed to have deck'd, sweet maid, And not have strew'd thy grave. -Hamlet,William Shakespeare One theme in Hamlet is "Death conquers everyone in the end." How does this passage develop that theme? The passage shows that even the young and innocent can meet untimely deaths. The passage shows that expressing grief can help someone come to terms with a loss. The passage shows that one can defeat death by embracing life's sweetness.

The passage shows that even the young and innocent can meet untimely deaths.

Which is an objective summary of the "forgiveness triumphs" theme that is developed in Act V of Hamlet? It's a good thing Laertes begs Hamlet's forgiveness because forgiveness is more important than all other emotions. The scene where Laertes asks forgiveness helps demonstrate that forgiveness can be more powerful than revenge. Hamlet should have begged Laertes for forgiveness to show that forgiveness is stronger than any type of revenge. It's pleasing for the audience when Laertes asks for forgiveness and makes it seem like forgiveness trumps revenge.

The scene where Laertes asks forgiveness helps demonstrate that forgiveness can be more powerful than revenge.

Read the passage from Act V of Hamlet. Hamlet: To what base uses we may return, Horatio! Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander, till he find it stopping a bung-hole? Horatio: 'Twere to consider too curiously, to consider so. One purpose of Horatio's line is to further the development of which theme? You can never ask too many questions. Too much questioning is dangerous. It is important to question everything. Be cautious of anyone who questions you.

Too much questioning is dangerous.

Which is the best example of an objective summary of the theme "truth is hard to discern" that is further developed in Act V of Hamlet? When Hamlet and Laertes fight at Ophelia's grave, each thinks he knows what the truth is. This scene helps to further develop the theme "the real truth is hard to see." At the funeral for Ophelia, Laertes and Hamlet's combative behavior is really embarrassing. This scene helps to further develop the theme "some people can't handle the truth." By brawling at Ophelia's grave, Hamlet and Laertes show they should both be locked up. This scene helps to further develop the theme "sometimes it's hard to see the truth." It's totally unreasonable that Hamlet and Laertes start yelling about the truth at Ophelia's funeral. This scene helps to further develop the theme "some people can't see the truth."

When Hamlet and Laertes fight at Ophelia's grave, each thinks he knows what the truth is. This scene helps to further develop the theme "the real truth is hard to see."

How should a reader summarize the development of a theme? Check all that apply. by stating the theme by paraphrasing the topic by using objective language by analyzing the style of the author by using examples to explain the theme

by stating the theme by using objective language by using examples to explain the theme

[Hamlet:] Imperious Cæsar, dead and turn'd to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away: O! that that earth, which kept the world in awe, Should patch a wall to expel the winter's flaw. -Hamlet,William Shakespeare What important topic is discussed in this passage? weather carpentry revenge death

death

Read the passage from Act V of Hamlet. Hamlet: Let me see.—[Takes the skull.]—Alas! poor Yorick. I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now, to mock your own grinning? One purpose of Hamlet's speech is to develop the theme "death conquers all." question the theme "revenge is destructive." introduce the theme "truth is hard to discern." contradict the theme "curiosity is dangerous."

develop the theme "death conquers all."

To make a summary of a theme's objective development, the reader should base the summary on emotions. facts. judgments. opinions.

facts.