Question

number the following events in the order in which they come in this scene. the first one has been done for you.

a. claudius convinced laertes to kill hamlet in a duelling match.
b. gertrude announced that ophelia was dead.
c. claudius made laertes believe that hamlet killed polonius. _1_
d. claudius planned to give hamlet a poisoned drink if laertes failed to kill hamlet.
e. hamlets letter was delivered, announcing his return to denmark.
f. laertes offered to put a deadly poison on the end of his sword.

1. your thoughts

a. do you think ophelias death was a suicide?
yes no why or why not?
i think

b. how did the details of her death affect you?
her death

Explanation:

Analyze the scene sequence

Using the Hamlet Plot Analysis knowledge point, we examine Act IV, Scene 7 of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

• The scene opens with Claudius explaining to Laertes that Hamlet killed Polonius (Event c, marked as 1).
• A messenger then arrives delivering Hamlet's letters announcing his unexpected return to Denmark (Event e).
• Claudius and Laertes then plot revenge. Claudius suggests a fencing match where Laertes can kill Hamlet (Event a).
• Laertes eagerly agrees and proposes using a poisoned blade (Event f).
• Claudius adds a backup plan to poison Hamlet's drink (Event d).
• Finally, Gertrude enters to announce Ophelia's tragic drowning (Event b).

Determine chronological order

Based on the plot progression in Act IV, Scene 7:

1. Claudius made Laertes believe Hamlet killed Polonius (c) -> 1
2. Hamlet's letter was delivered, announcing his return (e) -> 2
3. Claudius convinced Laertes to kill Hamlet in a duel (a) -> 3
4. Laertes offered to put poison on his sword (f) -> 4
5. Claudius planned to give Hamlet a poisoned drink (d) -> 5
6. Gertrude announced Ophelia's death (b) -> 6

Analyze Ophelia's death (Question 11.A)

Using the Hamlet Plot Analysis knowledge point, we evaluate Gertrude's description of Ophelia's death. Gertrude describes Ophelia hanging garlands on a willow tree when a branch broke, dropping her into the brook. She floated briefly, singing old tunes, before sinking. This description suggests an accidental fall, but her passive surrender to the water and her unstable mental state lead many to interpret it as a passive suicide.

Evaluate personal response (Question 11.B)

Using the Hamlet Plot Analysis knowledge point, we reflect on how the vivid, poetic description of Ophelia's death affects a reader. The contrast between her innocent, childlike state (singing while drowning) and the grim reality of her death evokes deep pity and highlights the collateral damage of the court's corruption.

Answer:

Question 10

Number the following events in the order in which they come in this scene. The first one has been done for you.

a. Claudius convinced Laertes to kill Hamlet in a duelling match. <blank>3</blank>
b. Gertrude announced that Ophelia was dead. <blank>6</blank>
c. Claudius made Laertes believe that Hamlet killed Polonius. <blank>1</blank>
d. Claudius planned to give Hamlet a poisoned drink if Laertes failed to kill Hamlet. <blank>5</blank>
e. Hamlet's letter was delivered, announcing his return to Denmark. <blank>2</blank>
f. Laertes offered to put a deadly poison on the end of his sword. <blank>4</blank>

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Question 11

A. Do you think Ophelia's death was a suicide?

Yes / No / Why or Why not?

I think <blank>it can be viewed as a passive suicide. While the initial fall into the water was accidental when the willow branch broke, her lack of effort to save herself and her singing as she sank show a mind so consumed by grief and madness that she welcomed death.</blank>

B. How did the details of her death affect you?

Her death <blank>feels incredibly tragic and poetic. The image of her floating while singing old songs highlights her innocence and madness, making her a helpless victim of the corrupt political schemes surrounding her.</blank>