Silence vs Voice
Action vs Inaction
Characters
Big Picture
Hamlet Today
100
Relate these two quotes to the theme of Silence vs Voice. “Speak to me” Act 1. 1.140 “It was about to speak when the cock crew” Act 1.1.161
- Here the guards are talking in the very beginning of the play when the ghost of Old King Hamlet appears but does not speak to them. The ghost chooses to stay silent which confuses the guards on what his purpose is of appearing to them. By not talking, the guards don’t know why he is there and start making assumptions right away. Some of which include the devil appearing because a ghost back in this time was never a good sign, or a foretelling of the future of a war because he is dressed in armor. It is not until a little later in the play when the ghost spears to Hamlet and speaks his true purpose of appearing. We find out he is in face Old King Hamlet telling Hamlet how he was murdered by Claudius and for Hamlet to avenge his death.
100
What action of Hamlet leads to an accidental result? What does this say about Hamlet’s actions?
The action of trying to murder Claudius led to the accidental death of Polonius. This show that when Hamlet gets too focused on one deed, he allows himself to be consumed by it, yet he does not realize or care.
100
This character decides to appear and disappear throughout the play
Old King Hamlet
100
Explain why action in the form of revenge is very significant in this play?
If one does not act out revenge, they are remaining silent and nothing gets done. When one does not act, they also begin to decay. The entire play is based around people deciding whether to act/not act, remain silent/voice their opinion, which creates revenge.
100
"Bro, somethin ain't right in this country"
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark"
200
Give one example of Silence vs. Voice. Use characters and examples to state your point.
- Answers may vary - One example. “And still your fingers on your lips, I pray.” Act 1. 5. 205 Hamlet tells the guards to be silent about everything that he has told them about Old King Hamlet’s Ghost. They swear to stay silent and not speak out about what they saw.
200
Using this quote, “But I am a pigeon-liver’d and lack gall to make oppression bitter, or ere this…” 2.2. 588-589, answer the following: a) Who speaks this? b) How is this character viewing themselves? c) How inaction or action related to the meaning?
a) Hamlet b) Hamlet calls himself a coward and views himself in a distasteful manner c) Hamlet is frustrated a little bit more about his inaction to do anything about his father’s murder and Claudius.
200
This character decides to stay silent, his undetected presence ultimately gets him killed
Polonius
200
Inaction could possibly lead to insanity, provide an example from the play to support this point.
Hamlet waits too long to act, which causes him to go crazy. Also, everyone around him believes that he is crazy (Claudius, Gertrude etc.) Ophelia does not express that she still has feelings for Hamlet and never acts or expresses her thoughts, which causes her to go crazy and eventually commit suicide.
200
"You need to gtfo and go to church"
"Get thee to a nunnery"
300
How has the theme of silence vs. voice caused corruption in a particular character? Give examples and how it affected the character.
- Answers may vary - One example is Hamlet. Hamlet constantly struggles with deciding whether to stay silent or speak out throughout the play. It begins to corrupt him at the very beginning of the play when he starts coming up with ideas in his head of how to prove that the king is guilty of murder. During his first soliloquy, he beats himself up for not acting out and speaking his mind to avenge his father’s death. He doesn’t tell any one of his troubles, which ultimately stem from his father’s death, and almost commits suicide because of not talking to someone about how he feels. By the end of the play, Hamlet’s choice to speak out causes people to believe he is committing treason against the king, and pays the price with his life.
300
What is the difference between Hamlet’s plan of action and Claudius’s and Laertes’s plan of action?
The difference is that Hamlet’s plan is not thought out when he is trying to kill Claudius. He also hesitates many times throughout the play. (May show he has morals). Laertes and Claudius plan the murder of Hamlet quickly and meticulously. They also want it done fast and do not hesitate at all.
300
These two characters decided not to remain silent about what they saw and told the prince
Horatio and Marcellus
300
What are some of the positives and negatives that Shakespeare emphasizes about remaining silent?
Remaining silent prevents one's words from being misinterpreted. If nothing is said, then no one can form opinions about you or your words. However, if you remain silent then you will not accomplish anything and no one will hear your opinion or thoughts on important matters.
300
"Do I want to live or die, that's what I wanna know"
"To be or not to be, that is the question"
400
Who said this quote and why how does it relate to the theme voice vs. silence? “What, ho! Help, help, help!” Act 3. 4. 26
- Polonius says this quote as he is hiding behind the curtains eaves dropping on Queen Gertrude and Hamlet talking. He misinterprets what Hamlet is saying about daggers and fears for the queen’s safety. As a result of crying out, Hamlet stabs Polonius thinking he is King Claudius resulting in his death. Polonius choice to speak out resulted in his death where as if he would have stayed silent, he might still have been alive not blowing his cover.
400
Using this quote, “I will leave him and suddenly contrive the means of meeting between him and my daughter---My Lord, I will most humbly take my leave of you.” 2.2. 225-228, explain what is happening and how it relates to inaction/action.
Polonius made a plan to act on his suspicions and confirm them when he spies on Hamlet interacting with Ophelia. His suspicions are that Hamlet is acting slightly crazy because he has no contact with Ophelia because of Polonius’s orders.
400
Refusing to stand up for him/herself and stay silent ended badly and tragically for this character
Ophelia
400
Hamlet's final line, "The rest is silence." How does this line relate to the human condition?
Once you're dead you can no longer live on to tell your story. Your life is now silent. Shakespeare in essence is saying that once you're dead, you're dead. You're forever silent.
400
"listen to all your bro's, but don't tell them everything; listen to their side of the story, but don't judge em"
"Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice; Take each man's censure, but reserve thy judgement"
500
Give an example when being silent rather than speaking was a good thing, and one example of when speaking out rather than staying silent was better.
- Speaking Out “Gertrude, do not drink” Act 5. 2. 301 Claudius is speaking out telling Gertrude not to drink the cup because he secretly poisoned it hoping to kill Hamlet. In this example, speaking out was good because Claudius is warning Gertrude to save her life but in the end, Gertrude drinks anyways and dies. - Staying Silent “But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue” Act 1. 2. 160 In this line, Hamlet decides not to speak out his dislikes for King Claudius until he gathers more information about him. Speaking out too soon, or saying the wrong thing can be taken as treason which could result in Hamlet getting executed so by deciding to stay silent, he is potentially saving his own life.
500
Provide a part where a character is ironic because of their inaction. Hint: This instance has something to do with wanting revenge.
Irony: Hamlet talks about how he has done nothing (inaction) for revenge on Claudius, yet he still continues to do nothing and still complain and moan about it.
500
This character gives Hamlet the "guts" and inspiration to finally take action on his plan
Fotinbras
500
What is Shakespeare trying to demonstrate through the theme of action vs inaction?
Humans must think before they decide to act, because acting without thinking may lead to foolish or rash decisions/one's demise. On the other hand, it is also important to act and not just sit around wishing you acted on something when you didn't. If you don't take risks and act, then you never know what you're missing out on. Hamlet demonstrates both the qualities of action and inaction.
500
"I speak without thinking, my thoughts don't surface. I gotta be careful because when I speak without thinking it makes it seem like i'm not exactly a good person..."
"My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go"
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