Hamlet Acts IV and V

What does Hamlet think of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? He does not trust them. He thinks they’re too weak to see that the king is using them. They are like a sponge-try to soak up all the information they can and the king rings it out of them.
Why must the king not put the “strong arm” (means putting force onto) Hamlet? The common people love Hamlet.
When the king asks where Polonius is, what is Hamlet’s answer? He says Polonius is “not where he eats but where he is eaten.” He tells the King to look for him in Heaven and if he can’t find him he should go to “the other place” (Hell)
What is the content of the letters that the King sends with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to England with Hamlet? The king wants Hamlet to be killed as soon as he reaches England.
What prompts Hamlet to say, “My thoughts be bloody or nothing worth!” He learns that Fortinbras is fighting full force over a little plot of land that means nothing and he has not done anything about his father’s death.
What has happened to Ophelia? She’s going nuts. She looked like a zombie. She is drowned. Many think its suicide.
Why does Laertes force his way in? What does he want? He wants revenge for his father.
What is the content of Hamlet’s letter to Horatio? Explains he escaped Rosencrantz and Guildenstern onto a Pirate ship. They are treating him well because pirates want favors from him. He wants Horatio to give letters to King and Queen and come to see him.
What plan do the King and Laertes discuss to kill Hamlet? Put poison in the cup and offer Hamlet a drink.
What news does the king bring Laertes? The king tells Laertes that Ophelia was drowned.
Laertes thinks that Ophelia should have a better funeral service. What is the priest’s answer? Ophelia is lucky to be getting a nice a funeral as she is considering the “nature of her death” (means she killed herself which is a sin)
Why does Hamlet jump into Ophelia’s grave? Because he wants to show his sorrow is as great as Laertes.
What does the king say to Laertes to console (make him feel better) him after Laertes and Hamlet are separated? He tells him not to worry; he will soon have the appropriate time in place to kill Hamlet. One way or another, Hamlet will die.
What did Hamlet do to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? Hamlet replaced (switched) the letter that called for his (Hamlet) execution (death) with letters calling for their (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern) execution.
What news does Osric bring Hamlet? Osric is the courtier sent by Claudius to invite Hamlet to participate in the duel with Laertes. He tells the wager (a bet) the king made on his behalf in a contest between Hamlet and Laertes.
What happens to the King, Hamlet, Laertes and the Queen? 1. The King was killed by Hamlet2. Hamlet was killed by Laertes’s sword3. Laertes was killed by poison on his own sword when Hamlet picked wrong sword in a fight.4. The Queen drinks out of cup meant for Hamlet and she died.
Who does Hamlet recommend to the throne? Fortinbras