Hamlet, Part 8: Themes

Which is an objective summary of the “forgiveness triumphs” theme that is developed in Act V of Hamlet?
The scene where Laertes asks forgiveness helps demonstrate that forgiveness can be more powerful than revenge.

What is the first step in determining the theme in a play?
Identify an important topic in the play

One purpose of Horatio’s line is to further the development of which theme?
Too much questioning is dangerous

To make a summary of a theme’s objective development, the reader should base the summary on
Facts

What does the passage reveal about the topic of death?

[Hamlet:] Imperious Cæsar, dead and turn’d to clay,
Might stop a hole to keep the wind away:
O! that that earth, which kept the world in awe,
Should patch a wall to expel the winter’s flaw.

Which theme is best supported by the passage?

Death can transform even powerful people like Caesar into ordinary clay.

Death conquers everyone in the end.

One theme in Hamlet is “Death conquers everyone in the end.” How does this passage develop that theme?
The passage shows that even the young and innocent can meet untimely deaths.

Which statement provides the best objective summary of how Hamlet develops a theme?
Hamlet develops the theme “Everyone is equal in the face of death.” Hamlet introduces this idea after Polonius’s death, and he explores it further when he reflects on how great people become dust.

Which theme is best supported by the passage?

Horatio: They bleed on both sides. How is it, my lord?
Osric: How is it, Laertes?
Laertes: Why, as a woodcock to mine own
springe, Osric;
I am justly kill’d with mine own treachery.

Revenge is ultimately self-defeating.

Which theme is best supported by the passage?

[Laertes:] Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:
Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee,
Nor thine on me!

Forgiveness can be more powerful than the desire for revenge.

Which statement best describes the interaction of themes in this passage?

Laertes: He is justly serv’d;
It is a poison temper’d by himself.
Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet:
Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee,
Nor thine on me! [Dies.]
Hamlet: Heaven make thee free of it! I follow thee.
I am dead, Horatio.

The passage shows that revenge is pointless because death conquers everyone in the end.

One purpose of Hamlet’s speech is to
Develop the theme “death conquers all.”

How do the themes in the passage interact?
The passage shows that death conquers everyone, but family bonds outlast even death.

One theme in Hamlet is “death conquers everyone.” Which statement explains how Act V of Hamlet develops this theme?
Despite the fact they are royalty, Hamlet, Laertes, Gertrude, and Claudius die.

Which are examples of themes? Check all that apply.
1. There is beauty in simplicity.
2. Hope exists even in dark times.