Hamlet Character Project: by Priscilla Lopez-Sanchez

In the play, does the character have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset?

priscillalopez_ — 2015-04-14 23:54:10 UTC

What is your proof? Include quotes from the play to support your answer.

"Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die, passing through nature to eternity."

1.2.70-75

Explain why that quote shows the character’s mindset. Focus on what the words mean and what that tells you.

This quotes shows that she has a fixed mindset because she tells Hamlet to get over his fathers death and to be happy for her and her new marriage. Her husband, King Hamlet died and she gets married to his brother, Claudius, to continue living the life she has so she doesn't have to change her life or anything.

priscillalopez_ — 2015-04-15 00:03:13 UTC

I think Gertrude married quickly because back then woman didn't really have say in anything or a place in society. She doesn't think that she could be fine without a husband and she doesn't want to give up the life she's living either.

What is your proof? Include quotes to support your explanation.

Why does that quote explain the character’s behavior?

Hamlet accuses her of not feeling guilty for marring Claudius even though she doesn't truly love him, because at her age people lose passion for love, I think that Hamlet doesn't it see it the way she does which is why she doesn't understand why Hamlet is mad at her.

How does the language express the idea?

Hamlet is furious that she doesn't understand why he's mad at her and he has to explain it to her.

priscillalopez_ — 2015-04-15 00:14:01 UTC

When Hamlet goes to see Gertrude and he tells her what is making him so mad she realizes what she has done and admits to be blind of her own actions

What one scene or decision leads to the character’s death?

The king rises his cup to Hamlet and wishes him good health and then he drops a poisoned pearl in the cups and tries make Hamlet drink from it. Hamlet says he'll finish fencing first and so Gertrude says she'll drink for him. Claudius tries to stop her but she drinks from the cup. Hamlet and Laertes continue fencing and they both get injured and Gertrude collapses, he last words being, that the cup was poisoned.

What is your proof? Include a quote to support your explanation.

Why does that decision or scene lead to the character’s destruction?

Because she didn't listen to Claudius when he told her not to drink. I think she knew that cup was poisoned and she knew that Laertes was better than Hamlet at fencing and that the fencing sticks were poisoned as well and to avoid the grief of her son she decided to die before he did.

priscillalopez_ — 2015-04-15 00:25:27 UTC

I would change the moment when Gertrude tells Hamlet to get over his fathers death and then tells him not to go to Wittenberg , to stay and celebrate her new marriage.

Include a quote.

How would you change that moment or scene and why would it affect that character’s ultimate fate?

I would have changed Gertrude's behavior towards Hamlets grieving, if she would have been there for him in his grieving time or at least said that she understood that he was grieving but if he could just stay for a little bit or to congratulate her, their relationship wouldn't of had ended in such bad terms.

priscillalopez_ — 2015-04-15 00:53:18 UTC