In her madness, it seems as though Ophelia’s inner dam, so to speak, has broken, and all of her contained knowledge of sexuality, and of the unfair position of women within her culture, has come rushing out. If it was previously possible to consider Hamlet a “hero” or an idealized version of a human being, it is no longer possible after he kills Polonius. And as soon as he hears of the murder, Claudius’s mind begins working to find a way to characterize the killing so that it does not seem like a political crisis to his court and to the people of Denmark. Copyright © 1999 - 2021 GradeSaver LLC. The Hamlet e-text contains the full text of the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Claudius is greatly distracted by the death of Polonius and the attempt to find the body. Immediately after Hamlet exits, dragging Polonius’ body, we see Claudius asking Gertrude to explain what has happened. The captain meets with Hamlet, who is being conveyed by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to the ship to England. Log In Sign Up. He also insinuates that he and Laertes are on the same side – that he has been injured by Polonius’ death too. Elsewhere in Elsinore, Hamlet has just finished disposing of Polonius’s body, commenting that the corpse has been “safely stowed” (IV.ii.1). The king enters and witnesses her madness. If one looks forward to Act Five, it seems as though she was indeed a suicide. I create comics for curious readers of all ages so they can … Driven by a guilty conscience, Claudius attempts to ascertain the cause of Hamlet’s odd behaviour by hiring Hamlet’s onetime friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on him. Claudius says that on top of this he will prepare a poisoned cup and give it to Hamlet during the fight. After some morbidly humorous replies, Hamlet reveals that he hid Polonius “up the stairs into the lobby.” The king sends attendants to find the body. 3. (Marcellus, Act 1 Scene 4) That one may smile and smile and be a villain. Ophelia handles all those present gifts of flowers, each symbolizing a reproach to the receiver. During our study of Hamlet, you will be completing five different projects with your group, one for each act. He was also born on April 26, so that's kind of weird, but okay. 5. She sings another song about her dead father and exits abruptly. We have seen Ophelia, up to this point, represented as a chaste, innocent, obedient, bewildered little girl. Dans le château. Claudius tells Laertes that Polonius is dead. Horatio receives from these sailors a letter from Hamlet. In Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Hamlet, for instance, the filmmaker explicitly shows flashbacks to Hamlet and Ophelia in bed. When he bursts into court demanding satisfaction, he says, “That drop of blood that’s calm proclaims me bastard, / Cries cuckold to my father, brands the harlot / Even here between the chaste unsmirched brow / Of my true mother.” In other words, Laertes proclaims that he has a blood-bound duty to avenge his father’s death impetuously and bloodily, or else he proves himself not his father’s son. Created with the Imgflip Meme Generator. Answer: Act II, Scene II, Lines 543-601 and Hamlet blames himself for his delay to take action against his uncle. LE ROI. Hamlet Memes. On cue, a messenger arrives with word that Laertes has come to court with a mob of followers who wish to depose Claudius and make Laertes king. Romeo, ... act v. classic literature classic lit memes literature meme shakespeare macbeth lady macbeth. Did she die accidentally or did she commit suicide? Laertes, though, provides precisely the model of what Hamlet is not. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. A messenger approaches Horatio, saying that some sailors have news for him. Hamlet study guide contains a biography of William Shakespeare, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. Close. The king orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet and discover where he has taken Polonius’ corpse. Hamlet suggests that the Poles will not likely defend such a piece of land, but the captain sets him straight, saying that Poland is already garrisoned and ready for their dispute. Show More Comments. Hamlet resolves to recast his mind to bloody thoughts. (Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 5) Brevity is the soul of wit. We see more evidence of Claudius’ lack of political talent when we learn that he has simply hushed up Polonius’ death, burying his longtime advisor without pomp or circumstance, and keeping the nature of the death a mystery. Hamlet mockingly departs, leaving Claudius to reflect on his plans for Hamlet. He says that Laertes has come from France, egged on by people who see the court as responsible for Polonius’ death. They are at the borders of Denmark. Q29: When the fourth soliloquy appears in the book? The two ships parted with Hamlet still aboard. Archived. He instructs Reynaldo very precisely in the method of obtaining this information. Saved by Grace Clare Jordan. Fortinbras' captain - Hamlet uses this info to further his plan for revenge Laertes & his company - they do battle; Hamlet is wounded Ophelia - Hamlet takes her with him, and Friar Tuck marries them secretly Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of Hamlet and what it means. She was watching Ophelia play in the branches of a willow by the water when she fell in. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Open in app; Facebook; Tweet; Reddit; Mail; Embed; Permalink ; sweet-berry-sims liked this . You can see simply from the quickness with which the scenes of Act Four proceed that the action has reached a point of great tension following the death of Polonius. His response to Gertrude’s revelation that Hamlet has killed Polonius is extremely telling. 1,191 notes Jul 29th, 2019. Caption this Meme. Laertes bursts in and tells his followers to wait outside. Claudius then tells Hamlet that he is to depart immediately for England, as planned. This news reignites Laertes’ rage and Claudius goes to console him. The Question and Answer section for Hamlet is a great - Maintenant, que ta conscience scelle mon acquittement, Et que ton cœur m'accueille en ami, Puisque tu as entendu d'une oreille attentive. Aghast, the king notes that had he been concealed behind the arras, Hamlet would have killed him. Whether Gertrude really believes Hamlet to be mad, or has simply recognized that her best interest lies in allying herself with Claudius regardless of what she believes, is impossible to determine from this scene and is largely a matter of one’s personal interpretation of the events. Make sure you lay into him. So, with all of this in mind, let’s review the following quote from Act 4 Scene 3. It recounts an amazing turn of events: on his way to England, pirates attacked Hamlet’s ship. Rather than considering that Gertrude might have been in danger, he immediately remarks that had he been in the room, he would have been in danger. . Entrent le Roi et Laerte. You can view our. First, though, it’s necessary to note that the fourth scene contains another of Hamlet’s famous soliloquies – “How all occasions do inform against me.” This speech reiterates, basically, the point that Hamlet made in his previous soliloquy about the actor playing Hecuba. #i'm still a bit busy but i think i can come out of hiatus now. Claudius is greatly distracted by the death of Polonius and the attempt to find the body. Just as Claudius is about to explain what he means, Ophelia enters again, bearing a bundle of flowers. Question 1 Saved by Grace Clare Jordan. au where hamlet lived to be king. One should not overthink, but do. Hamlet’s murder of Polonius at the end of Act III is one of the most disturbing moments in the play. Ropeyquartz and Gillyperm. Gertrude’s remarriage… How does Laertes tell Ophelia to react to Hamlet’s affection? purple prosegang Shakespeare, but every instance of "alas" has been replaced with "aw shit" "Aw shit, poor Yorick!" ... Memes; Infographic; Teaching Guide; Characters Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 Act 4 Act … Ophelia’s death by drowning is one of the famously impossible-to-settle questions of Hamlet. FONTS Act 4: If I Die Young By: The Band Perry Act 3: You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' By: Hall & Oates Deep into Hamlet and Ophelias conversation in act 3 scene 1 Ophelia says "O heavenly powers, restore him!" . User account menu. Start a free trial of Quizlet Plus by Thanksgiving | … March 24, 2021. He calls Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, tells them about the murder, and sends them to find Hamlet. After some morbidly humorous replies, Hamlet reveals that he hid Polonius up the stairs into t… Suggestions. Updated daily, for more funny memes check our homepage. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Her remarriage also causes Hamlet to sink into melancholy as Bradley states it provided a ‘violent shock to his moral being’. He tells Gertrude that they must ship Hamlet to England at once and find a way to explain Hamlet’s misdeed to the court and to the people. Classic Lit Memes. Hamlet must be sent away from Denmark, he thinks, not as punishment for committing murder but because he represents a danger to Claudius. According to Polonius, borrowing money dulls the edge of husbandry. As with so many aspects of this play, the truth is not forthcoming. Horatio says that he will help to deliver the rest of their letters, one of which is addressed to the king, and then go with them to see Hamlet. Here's a weird tidbit of history for you: today is the anniversary of William Shakespeare's death back in 1616. At last he agrees to allow Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to escort him to Claudius. (Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 4) Something is rotten in the state of Denmark. Post Comment. Laertes agrees. This contains A Complete Guide for Each Act of Shakespeare's Masterpiece, Hamlet. These shifts in meaning from Act to Act are difficult to pin down, but they serve to underline one of the most prevalent trends in the play, toward interpretive uncertainty. Any account of things in this play – whether the testimony of the ghost, the murmurings of Laertes’ followers, or this eye-witness account of Gertrude’s – leads to quite divergent interpretations. share. Not affiliated with Harvard College. Hamlet quickly sees through the scheme and begins to act the part of a madman in front of them. Start studying Hamlet Act 4, Summary/Key Events. She says this almost as though shes begging god to bring back the old Caption this Meme. 1,191 notes. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern question Hamlet about Polonius whereabouts. Just so, Laertes’ vengeful return, like Fortinbras’ military example, serves as a contrast to Hamlet’s own hesitating, over-thinking character. She says that he is as mad as the sea during a violent storm; she also tells Claudius that Hamlet has killed Polonius. This emphasis on chastity contains, of course, the other side of the coin, a concern with lewdness. It is among Shakespeare's most famous lines, as well as one of his most controversial. During the fray, Hamlet boarded the pirate vessel. Gertrude is vital in fuelling Hamlet’s hatred of women as well as his drive for revenge. Though Hamlet has many admirable qualities, scenes such as this one serve as powerful reminders that we are not meant to take the prince as an unqualified hero. As Hamlet says in Act Two, “[T]here is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” If there is one lesson to take from Hamlet, it is this – that by our very nature we cannot ever know the truth, only interpretations of the truth. They already are bloody. "Let's kill all the lawyers" is a line from William Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 2, Act IV, Scene 2.The full quote is "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers". Make a Meme Make a GIF Make a Chart Make a Demotivational Flip Through Images. Back in the court of Denmark, we see Gertrude speaking with a gentleman who explains that Ophelia has gone mad. She says that Ophelia has drowned. Add Meme. Posted by 1 year ago. The basic position of Hamlet is one of befuddlement that these soldiers can go off to their deaths over a patch of worthless ground while he, who has every reason to rage and war and battle Claudius, is introspective and melancholy, and chokes off his action with excessive contemplation. The letter announces Hamlet’s imminent return to court. Read More » Hi, I’m David. 51. Understand every line of Hamlet. #video #hamlet #polonius #shakespeare #hamlet memes #oh shit a rat #shakespeare memes #i'm losing my shit at my own dumbass joke AKJFSLKGJDRGK #rainy rambles #hamlet play #PLEASE reblog this lskjflskgjsrg. Laertes does him one better, saying that he will dip his sword in poison so that the least scratch will kill Hamlet. Of course, this is not Hamlet’s character at all, and as soon as he has resolved that his thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth, he is off to England, leaving revenge for another day, if ever. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Ironically, however, just after making this resolution he continues on toward England, leaving Denmark behind him. 51,254 notes. He describes this land as perfectly worthless and small. other. The sight of his insane sister deeply grieves Laertes. memes. Through Rose Colored Glasses: How the Victorian Age Shifted the Focus of Hamlet, Q to F7: Mate; Hamlet's Emotions, Actions, and Importance in the Nunnery Scene, Haunted: Hamlet's Relationship With His Dead Father, Heliocentric Hamlet: The Astronomy of Hamlet. As brief as it is, Act IV, scene i is a magnificent example of Shakespeare’s skill at developing characters, illustrated by the subtle development of Claudius. A side-by-side No Fear translation of Hamlet Act 3 Scene 4. The other major event of this Act is the madness of Ophelia. Ophelia then speaks openly of her father’s untimely demise and hasty, unofficial burial. Shakespeare presents Hamlet’s and Gertrude’s relationship as a crucial factor for the plot of the play. Claudius wonders aloud how he will be able to handle this public crisis without damaging his hold on Denmark. Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. The letter says that Hamlet’s ship was captured by pirates who have returned him to Denmark. Anyway, in honor of the occasion, we've compiled 16 silly Shakespeare-related tidbits for the literary nerds (or really, anyone who was forced to read Hamlet in their high school AP English class). In any case, Hamlet’s moral superiority to Claudius is now thrown into question. Claudius questions Hamlet as to where he has taken Polonius. His sensitive, reflective nature—the trait that constantly interfered with his ability to take revenge on Claudius—now disappears in the wake of its violent opposite: a rash, murderous explosion of activity. Claudius Do it, England, / For like the hectic in my blood he rages, / And thou must cure me. Answer: Act III, Scene I, Lines 56-89 and this consider the finest poetic passages and a masterpiece that reveals the universal fear of death. that soaks up the king’s countenance, his rewards, his authorities,” and warns him that “when he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again” (IV.ii.11–19). hamlet. gifs. Throughout Act IV, scene ii, as in the play-within-a-play scene (Act III, scene ii), Hamlet’s biting, ironic wit is combined with his rash, impulsive streak, and his feigned madness seems very close to the real thing. As she leaves Claudius tells Laertes to inquire into the matter as deeply as he wishes, confident that he will find himself aligned with Claudius against Hamlet. When Laertes name comes up, Reynaldo is to preten… Hamlet’s dearest friend, Horatio, agrees with him that Claudius has unambiguously confirmed his guilt. Ask the expert: Top tips for virtual presentation success; March 23, 2021. 51. Claudius reflects on the difficulty of their situation, admitting that their decision to cover up Hamlet’s deed and bury Polonius so covertly has gone against them. A messenger arrives and delivers a letter to Claudius, who is greatly surprised to learn that the letter comes from Hamlet. Que celui qui a tué ton noble père . Fortinbras sends one of his captains to the court of Claudius to ask permission to cross Denmark in the course of their march to Poland. This is important because this shows the reader how Hamlet used to be before his troubles began and how he isn’t being rash and just rushing in to kill Claudius but he is still doing something to avenge his father. The pirates treated Hamlet “like thieves of mercy,” promising to return Hamlet to Denmark in return for some favors. She tells him of Hamlet’s accidental killing of Polonius and Claudius realizes that he could have just as easily been slain. Source: star-chart. La Tragique histoire d'Hamlet, prince de Danemark (en anglais, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark), plus couramment désigné sous le titre abrégé Hamlet, est la plus longue et l'une des plus célèbres pièces de William Shakespeare.La date exacte de sa composition n'est pas connue avec précision ; la première représentation se situe sûrement entre 1598 et 1601. act 3, scene 4. Whatever the case, it is Gertrude’s speech to Claudius that cements the king’s secret plan to have Hamlet executed in England. With her madness, however, she suddenly has a deluge of lines and a rich, multi-layered, startling consciousness. He has killed Polonius just as Claudius killed Hamlet’s father, the only differences being that Hamlet’s murder was not premeditated and was not committed out of jealousy or ambition. Given the immediate evidence of Gertrude’s testimony, however, there is no reason at all to believe that she killed herself. Teach Hamlet with 75 Pages of Adaptable Hamlet Curriculum! Miller, W.C. ed. Hamlet also alludes to a startling development having to do with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern but says that he must delay telling of this until they meet. First, Reynaldo is to find out from strangers in Paris about the prominent Danes in the city without revealing that he has any particular attachment to Laertes. The queen reluctantly admits Ophelia, who proceeds to sing a number of simple and haunting songs, some of them quite bawdy. Themes and Colors Key LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Hamlet, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Settings. Hamlet: Act 4, Scene 4 Summary & Analysis New! He remarks, “Rightly to be great / Is not to stir without great argument, / But greatly to find quarrel in a straw / When honor’s at the stake.” In other words, the greatness of man comes not with the greatness of an occasion, but with treating any occasion, however petty, as an occasion for greatness. However, it may not be necessary to read the song, and the other songs, so straightforwardly. Hamlet refuses to give them a straight answer, instead saying, “The body is with the king, but the king is not with the body” (IV.ii.25–26). The early twentieth century critic A.C. Bradley once illustrated Shakespeare’s gift for characterization by observing that if Othello were in Hamlet’s place the play would be about thirty minutes long – as soon as he learned of the murder, he would kill Claudius – and likewise if Hamlet were in Othello’s he would immediately see through Iago’s plottings and simply laugh the intrigue away. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. In this way, Claudius emerges as a figure of powerful contrast to the more forthright men in the play, including Laertes, Fortinbras, and Horatio, and the far more morally conscious Prince Hamlet. She threatens, “My brother shall know of it,” and exits. Hamlet evades their questions playfully, accusing his former friends of sycophancy to the king and leading them on a wild goose chase. He reads the letter aloud. Follow. Hamlet and Queen Gertrude| Act III • Scene IV. Hamlet and Queen Gertrude| Act III • Scene IV. He calls Rosencrantz a “sponge . 25 Questions Show answers. Read our modern English translation of this scene. Indeed, Hamlet seems to express the central irony in his case – it is not enough that his thoughts be bloody. Flowers are sex organs. Act 4, Scene 5. Ace your assignments with our guide to Hamlet! The king seems to have explained the strange occasion of Polonius’ death to Laertes’ satisfaction. Create. They propose to arrange a duel between Hamlet and Laertes, both of whom are accomplished swordsmen, though Laertes is the more reputed. Claudius asks where Hamlet has gone and Gertrude says that he has taken the body away. We see Polonius in the act of sending Reynaldo after Laertes to inquire into his sons conduct. Aw shit, I rather hate myself For hateful deeds committed by myself. This bundle is packed lessons, quotes, activities, comprehension and analysis questions, character descriptions, quote explorations and so much more. #hamlet #king hamlet #the meme prince #hello again! Hamlet Comics and Activities are a great way to get kids interested in Shakespeare and this marvelous play. This quiz is incomplete! This is a true avenger. Next. Feb 6, 2014 - Act 4 Scene 6- Horatio is given a letter written by Hamlet from some sailors. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter with Hamlet. Hamlet, Act 5 Scene 1 Aw shit, that love, so gentle in his view, Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!" Search all of SparkNotes Search. Hamlet made into MemeletAct 2, … Hamlet Memes & Other Themes. In contrast, Hamlet has been calm, reflective, passive, playful, morbid, and impotent in his own long-delayed quest for revenge – a quest which has led rather to an attempt to find motivation to revenge, to reflect on the nature of revenge, the nature of man, and the nature of Hamlet. How neuroscience principles can lead to better learning Rosencrantz and Guildenstern question Hamlet about Polonius’ whereabouts. She asks to speak to the king alone. 4.5k members in the ShakespeareMemes community. Hamlet asks the captain about his army and his purpose in going to Poland. 3. Ophelia, throughout the play, is forever urged to be chaste, be chaste, be chaste – as in Laertes’ instructions, or the “get thee to a nunnery” scene – as a means of controlling her sexual identity. While she does keep her promise not to reveal that Hamlet was only pretending to be insane, the immediate and frank way in which she tells Claudius about Hamlet’s behavior and his murder of Polonius implies that she sees herself as allied to the king rather than to her son. The last event in this act is when Hamlet forgets his sadness for a while to put into effect his plan to reveal if Claudius is guilty by using the traveling troupe. Hamlet says to his friend Claudius, ... or laugh at memes that made fun of his stupid hair. Next we see Fortinbras’ Norwegian army. hamlet. Claudius and Laertes are in conference. Feigning offense at being questioned, he accuses them of being spies in the service of Claudius. Blog. Now, Hamlet hides the body. The five projects are as follows: Assignment Act 1 Act 2 Act 3 Act 4 Act 5 GradeSaver, 30 August 2009 Web. A summary of Act IV, scenes i–ii in William Shakespeare's Hamlet. In her mad scenes, Ophelia is perhaps demonstrating the cultural pressures of a young woman of her time, forced into the impossible position of simultaneous chastity and sexualization. In this scene and the scenes to follow, Shakespeare creates in Claudius a convincing depiction of a conniving, ambitious politician. She must know nothing about sex, yet know enough to avoid it. 0:00. But the result of Hamlet’s deed is very similar to that of Claudius’s: Laertes and Ophelia have lost a father, just as Hamlet himself did. What he needs, or what his father’s spirit needs, is bloody deeds, not thoughts, and those are, as ever, beyond our protagonist. 1.5M ratings 277k ratings See, that’s what the app is perfect for. The short first scene of Act IV centers around Gertrude’s betrayal of her son, turning him in to the king after having promised to help him. During this rant he says, "I do not know/ Why yet I live to say 'This thing’s to do,'/ Sith I have cause and will and strength and means/ To do ’t. Laertes, we will see, acts without thinking. Hamlet leaps to the conclusion that Claudius is behind the arras, or else he simply lashes out thoughtlessly. Fullscreen. soupbao. Flip Settings. Shakespeare Acting Scene Comics Memes Art Art Background Kunst Comic Book. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter with Hamlet. "Hamlet Act 4 Summary and Analysis". Play. Act Two begins with Polonius speaking to one of his servants, Reynaldo, about his son, Laertes, who has by this time returned to Paris. This, as much as the death itself, prompts the two events most central to Act Four, the return of Laertes and the madness of Ophelia. ... Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appear and ask what he has done with the body. But rather than being overwhelmed with contrition, as we might expect of a hero who has committed such a terrible mistake, he seems manic, desperate, and self-righteous, especially in his condemnation of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Act 4 Scene 2 - Hamlet is banished. Hamlet evades their questions playfully, accusing his former friends of sycophancy to the king and leading them on a wild goose chase. She is rambling nonsensically about her father and insisting on seeing Gertrude. In a half-crazed state he insists that Claudius give him Polonius. Gertrude enters with yet more tragic news. Frantic after her confrontation with Hamlet, Gertrude hurries to Claudius, who is conferring with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Claudius arranges Hamlet's immediate tranportation to England and sends a letter to the English king demanding that he arranges Hamlet's immediate death. (Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 5) There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in our philosophy. What is most closely the meaning of waxes as it is used in the passage. Claudius suggests that Laertes be given a sharp sword while Hamlet’s remains blunt. Untermacher, John. 19,963 views • ... 19,963 views • 2 upvotes • Made by SophiaNicoletti 4 years ago. Hamlet Acte 4 Scène 7 . hamlet, act 1, sc. Here’s the speech, which is pretty clear if you take the time to look up obscure words and phrases: > How all occasions [circumstances] do inform against [accuse] me, And spur [encourage] my dull [lifeless] revenge! Where most of the other male characters in the play, including Hamlet, King Hamlet, Laertes, and Fortinbras, are obsessed with themes of honor, moral balance, and retributive justice, Claudius is a selfish, ambitious king who is more concerned with maintaining his own power and averting political danger than achieving justice through his rule. Claudius attempts to calm Laertes and tells Gertrude to keep out of their talk and let Laertes question him to his heart’s content. He says that he did not try Hamlet for two reasons, first, because his mother loves him so much, and second, because the people of Denmark are supporters of Hamlet. Laertes here is being cagey and protective with his language. He’ll come right away. classic lit memes classic literature literature meme shakespeare romeo and juliet hamlet macbeth. ... hamlet-memes-and-other-themes. The captain says that in Poland there is “a little patch of ground” which Norway claims as her own. (Polonius, Act 2 Scene 2) Hamlet wraps up his conversation with the captain. In the letter, Hamlet asks Horatio to take to the sailors to the king and queen to deliver messages to them as well. Keep reading. By entering your email address you agree to receive emails from SparkNotes and verify that you are over the age of 13. Feb 4, 2020 - This Pin was discovered by Grace ... .. Hamlet act 2 scene 2 part 1. Tell him his pranks have caused too much trouble, … When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit, she tells Claudius about her encounter with Hamlet. The description is one of fleeting passion like the flowers of spring that come into bloom with vigor but then soon fade. With this in mind, Claudius and Laertes plot to find a means of killing Hamlet without upsetting Gertrude or the people. To do this, he says, will require all his “majesty and skill” (IV.i.30). Hamlet “waxes desperate with imagination” (1.4.97). Follow. She knows that Ophelia is better off dead and tries to hide the fact of her suicide with her narrative. Gertrude describes her as dying almost in slow motion: “Her clothes spread wide, / And mermaid-like awhile they bore her up, / Which time she chanted snatches of old lauds, / As one incapable of her own distress, / Or like a creature native and indued / Unto that element.” Indeed, the question to ask given this description is not, “Did Ophelia kill herself?” but rather, “If she had time to sing songs while dying, why on earth didn’t Gertrude try to save her?” Perhaps, though (as suggested in the television series, Slings & Arrows, among other places), Gertrude's narrative is an attempt to protect Ophelia.