Hamlet Lesson 13 The Queen's Closet Act III Scene 4

Objectives
To understand Hamlet's relationship to his mother and the conflicts implied and expressed
To explore a possible basis for understanding Hamlet's action in this scene
Do now (Motivational activity): Journal Writing
Some critics interpret use the  "Oedipus complex" theory to interpret Hamlet's actions throughout the play. "Oedipus complex" is a subconscious sexual attachment to his mother, remaining from his earlier childhood. Critics usually cite the words of Act III, scene 4 as evidence for this interpretation. What is your reaction to a psychoanalytical interpretation of a work of literature that was written hundreds of years before Freud outlined his theories of human behavior?

To know more about Freud and psychoanalysis, click here .
Procedures:
Part 1 Before the Killing of Polonius
1. Polonius has decided once more to resort to spying as a method of gaining information. When has he done so before?
2. How does Gertrude interpret Hamlet's state of extreme agitation?
3. How important is Hamlet's behavior toward his mother in the beginning of this scene?
4. When Hamlet hears Polonius call out from behind the arras, he immediately stabs through the arras and kills him. Why was this act so uncharacteristic of Hamlet? How do you explain his sudden rashness of spirit?
5. What lines show us that Hamlet thought that he was stabbing the king?
6. How do you explain Hamlet's lack of remorse over the death of Polonius?

Homework assignment for this part of the scene:
Which event might have had the greater effect on Hamlet- the play or Claudius's praying? Explain.

Part II After the Killing of Polonius
1. What accusations does Hamlet make against his mother? How does she react at first?
2. What evidence is there that Gertrude had no knowledge of the murder of King Hamlet?
3. How does Hamlet compare his father and his uncle?
4. How does he explain his mother's actions in marrying Claudius?
5. What finally touches the conscience of the Queen? What word "enter like daggers" into her ears?
6. Where does Hamlet once again show that he considers Claudius a usurper?
7. Why does the Ghost appear at this point?How is his appearance different from his earlier appearance?
8. How do you explain that this time only Hamlet sees the Ghost when all who were present saw him on his other appearances?
9. How does Gertrude explain Hamlet's conversation with the Ghost? To what extent does she seem to accept Hamlet's denial of madness?
10. How do you explain Hamlet's insistence that Gertrude "go not to my uncle's bed"?
11. Hamlet says "Good night" to his mother four times before he finally leaves. Why does he linger each time?
12.What danger does Hamlet anticipate in England? What foreshadowing of his own plans does he provide us with?
13. The scene ends with a serious of puns after a coarse remark about "lugging the guts" out of the room. How can you explain this mixture of humor with the horror of the scene?
14. Both mother and son have ambivalent feelings about each other. Show how this is true for each. Hamlet said he is being cruel only to be kind. How much kindness is there in his treatment of his mother?
15. So far what is your impression of Queen Gertrude? Read this and add more to the list.
Homework Assignment:
1. Read "Introductory Lecture on Shakespeare's Hamlet" and find different interpretations of Hamlet's problems. Keep a "Doubting and Believing " journal to criticize the lecture.
2. Do research on Hamlet and Psychoanalysis. Post your links on your Hamlet web page
OR:
You can type certain excerpts from  Ernest Jones's Hamlet and Oedipus   Norman Holland's Shakespeare and Psychoanalysis ,and use them as Hamlet resource links.
3. (new)What accusations does Hamlet make against Gertrude as in his speech (Act IV, Scene, 4 lines 63-98)? How true (or not true) are his accusations?