Posted: December 2nd, 2013
Hamlet (324-391)
• Secondary Reading: Jonson, “Masque of Blackness” (469)
Respond to 4 of the first 6 questions, plus #7
1. Should Hamlet trust the ghost?
Consider sides pro and con. Then what should he do?
2. What is Hamlet doing in the middle of the play (putting on an antic show, playing the Mousetrap, and not
killing Claudius)? Is it all part of his
master plan?
3. Describe Laertes (or Fortinbras) as a parallel (or contrast) to Hamlet.
4. Is Hamlet crazy? Why or why not?
5. Why does
Ophelia die, and who is responsible?
6. What modern show has key elements of the masque?
7. neatly summarize one act