Problem
A. Discuss Hamlet's treatment and attitude toward women. How might this help in understanding his personality?
B. How does Hamlet (the person) go through both an outer and inner conflict?
C. There are two sides to Claudius - the cowardly, treacherous villain; and the tormented sinner who longs for redemption, is benevolent and loves his queen. Discuss these two aspects of Claudius's character, showing which, in your opinion, is more dominant.
D. "Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
I will be brief. Your noble son is mad.
Mad call I it; for to define true madness,
What is it but to bed nothing else but mad?" (Polonius)
There have been many discussions about whether Hamlet was mad. Polonius was convinced he knew the answer. Hamlet declared that he was only mad occasionally. Laertes, who was mad with anger because of his father's murder and Ophelia's insanity, does not dismiss Hamlet as a madman. With whom do you agree? Why?