Question 3 (5 points)

All of these characters died. Which is the only one who could truly be considered innocent?
Question 3 options:

Polonius

Hamlet

Gertrude

Ophelia

Question 4 (5 points)

In drama, a character’s tragic flaw is the character trait that leads directly to his or her downfall in the work. What could most logically be argued as Hamlet's tragic flaw?

Question 4 options:

His physical weakness.

His jealousy.

His hesitation, his inability to act.

His arrogance and ambition.

Question 5 (10 points)

Choose an important character other than Hamlet and analyze that character. What are the character’s traits and motivations? What impact does the character have on the development of the tragedy—such as on the plot or on Hamlet? How does the character help express a theme? Make sure to illustrate your points about the character with examples of the character’s actions and words.

Question 6 (10 points)

Analyze the use of descriptions and images in Hamlet. How does Shakespeare use descriptive language to enhance the visual possibilities of a stage production? How does he use imagery to create a mood of tension, suspense, fear, and despair?

Ophelia is the only character that could be considered innocent. Ophelia was a victim of Hamlet, of her condition as woman, and of her own insanity. On the other hand, Hamlet was not innocent because of his duty and the deaths that he causes. Moreover, Polonius and Gertrude are not innocent as they both collaborated with Claudius.

Hamlet's hesitation is his main flaw. If Hamlet had not been hesitant to act throughout the play, he would have taken revenge sooner. This would have prevented several deaths, as well as many complications in the story.

Ophelia's character is very important in developing the themes present in Hamlet. Ophelia is the daughter of Polonius, sister of Laertes and partner of Hamlet. Ophelia is dominated by this relationships, which restrict her agency and independence. Moreover, Ophelia's story is dominated by grief and pain, both at Hamlet's behaviour and at the death of her father. Eventually, Ophelia becomes insane and dies in a tragic way.

There are many ways in which Shakespeare used descriptions and images in order to enhance the visual production of the play. He uses stage directions in order to describe what the play should look like. He is also able to create tension, despair and suspense through devices such as the character of the ghost, the insanity of Ophelia or the many deaths that take place.