Act 5

1. I think the point of the gravediggers riddles or song is to break up some of the tension in the play by creating comic relief. Perhaps it's put in to release the built up tension of the audience before the final big scene comes into play (killing of Claudius). His song fits in the play because it is talking of the natural death that everyone is going to at sometime face.

2. They seem to suggest a change in his outlook because throughout the story Hamlet has been so conflicted to whether it would be better to live or die. In the graveyard he finds peace. He comes to realize that death is a natural way of life for all human beings. Hamlet seems to like Yorick, almost as if he was like Horatio to him. They are well-respected friends. Hamlets attitude toward Ophelia is a very love-hate relationship. At times he acts as if she is not important to him and then the next minute he is in love with her. Hamlet thinks very highly of his father and will do anything for him.

3. I think Hamlet is thirty because the grave-digger says he has dug graves since young Hamlet was born. Later, he says that he has been sexton here, man and boy, thirty years. Thus, making Hamlet 30.

4. It is adds suspense and rising action to the killing of king Claudius. It also shows how Hamlet isn't just thinking anymore, he has now become so furious that he is acting on his emotions.

5. Hamlet is showed to use his intelligence and finally put his ideas into action. He becomes so built up with evil and angry emotions that he bursts and starts putting plans into action without thinking twice (killing Rosencrantz and Guildenstern). He used to keep his feelings locked in his head, but they have now been released.

6. It seems to shift because at first he just wanted to avenge his father's death, but now he sees it as a duty to kill Claudius. He has killed his father, made his mother a whore, took his kingship from him, and planned a trap to kill him.

7. One is that Claudius is still involved with Hamlet, by prodding him into dueling with Laertes. Another is that he is playing mad again. He is being very careful with his words.

8. Hamlet defies augury because he comes to realize that his fate lies beyond his control. It is this that he puts his faith in when he agrees to the swordfight.

9. He says his motive in still resenting Hamlet is to uphold his honor. He has already lost this because he plans on cheating to win. He has already said that he plans on putting poison on his blade to kill Hamlet easily. This conributes to the presentation of revenge in a different way. While everyone else in the story is seeking revenge for the murder of a family member (Hamlet-Old Hamlet, Fortinbras-Old Fortinbras) Laertes is seeking his revenge supposedly to uphold his honor.

10. Gertrude calls out as she is dieing to Hamlet, showing that she is a weak character who is reliant on men. Claudius calls out "oh defend me friends for I have been hurt" this reflects his character by showing his desperation which we have seen throughout the whole play. Laertes dieng words also reflect him. He only cares about himself. Before the fight Hamlet apologizes to Laertes but he proceeds to still fight him. Then when he is poisoned he starts begging for apology from Hamlet! He is a hypocrite.

11. I think Fortinbras wins because he is the one who is going to take over Denmark now that it is weak and rid of all the noble men. Not only is his avenge for his father death complete, but he also takes over the country that he had originally hoped to.