Question

1. write an analytical multiparagraph response based on your literary criticism lens choice. select your chosen lens below and answer the corresponding questions.

political lens: select one scene from the entire play hamlet and respond to the following questions:

1. how does the desire for power shape the motivations and actions of characters in the scene?
2. what lines from the scenes support this interpretation?

feminist lens: select one scene from the entire play hamlet and respond to the following questions:

1. what do the characters gertrude and ophelia reveal about gender roles during the time period?
2. what lines from the scene support this interpretation?

psychological lens: select one scene from the entire play hamlet and respond to the following questions:

1. what is hamlet’s mental state and what factors contribute to it?
2. what lines from the scene support this interpretation?

Explanation:

To answer this, we can choose one lens. Let's pick the Political Lens with the scene where Claudius plots (Act 4, Scene 7). 1. Claudius’ desire for power makes him plot Hamlet’s death (fear of losing throne), and Laertes is motivated by revenge (and Claudius uses power to manipulate him). 2. Lines like "My lord, I will be ruled; The rather, if you could devise it so That I might be the organ." (Laertes) and Claudius’ plotting show this.

Answer:

Political Lens (Scene: Act 4, Scene 7 - Claudius and Laertes Plot Hamlet’s Death)

Paragraph 1: Character Motivations/Actions

In Act 4, Scene 7, Claudius’ desire for power drives him to eliminate Hamlet, as he fears Hamlet will expose his regicide and reclaim the throne. He manipulates Laertes, who is motivated by revenge for his father Polonius’ death (and Claudius frames Hamlet for it). Claudius uses his royal authority to persuade Laertes: he appeals to Laertes’ grief and offers him a “just” chance to avenge Polonius, ensuring his own power remains unchallenged. Laertes, eager to avenge his father and restore his family’s honor (and influenced by Claudius’ political power), agrees to participate in a duel with a poisoned rapier, showing how power - seeking (Claudius) and honor - driven (Laertes, manipulated by power) motivations shape their actions.

Paragraph 2: Supporting Lines

Claudius’ manipulation is evident when he says, “Now must your conscience my acquaintance seal, / And you must put me in your heart for friend, / Since you have left their counsel and their help, / And you their brother’s death revenge for them.” Here, he positions himself as an ally, using political influence to align Laertes’ goals with his own power - preserving agenda. Laertes’ agreement, “My lord, I will be ruled; The rather, if you could devise it so / That I might be the organ,” shows he submits to Claudius’ authority, driven by revenge and Claudius’ manipulation of power dynamics.