DRJ#4

Initial Reaction:  It’s really hitting the fan in Denmark.  The Norwegian army is at the door and everyone is still plotting how to get some revenge or save their ass.  The bodies are starting to pile up, Polonius, Ophelia, who is next?

Character Analysis:  For the forth act character analysis I chose Laertes.  Laertes is not the protagonist or antagonist but he is definitely a main character in the plot.  Laertes acts as a character foil for Hamlet, especially in and after the forth act following the death of his father Polonius. Laertes wants to get revenge for his father as does Hamlet.  The difference is that Laertes is willing to take action.

Theme Analysis:   Again the theme could be one of many available.  For act four I found many examples of deceit and deception.  It is everywhere from Claudius’ plans for Hamlet to Hamlet’s plans for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.  Even Hamlet’s overall tone when interacting with others is deceitful, the way he won’t answer a question in a straightforward manner. It is this repetition of these deceitful acts that pointed to this theme. For example all of scene 2 is Hamlet dancing around questions, not being truthful, after he has killed Polonius.