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Students’ Questions
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Q

Why Does the Cyclops Invite Odysseus Back to the Island?

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Cyclops Polyphemus pleaded with Odysseus to return to the island. At first glance, because he wanted to befriend him and wished him only well. However, Polyphemus wanted to deceive...
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What does Mentor do for Odysseus in the Odyssey?

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Throughout Homer's epic, Mentor largely assists Odysseus in all his struggles. When Odysseus departs for the Trojan War, he leaves Mentor to teach and oversee his son Telemachus. He...
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Which Greek values are found in The Odyssey?

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The Odyssey is one of the most outstanding epic poems written by the ancient Greek poet Homer. It shows several essential values that people appreciated in ancient Greece. Greek values...
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Why The Odyssey is an epic poem?

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The Odyssey is considered to be an epic poem. It highlights culturally relevant events in ancient Greece's history. Detailed answer: The Odyssey is one of the most significant...
Q

How did King Hamlet Die?

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In the famous play by Shakespeare, King Hamlet dies at the hands of his envious brother - Claudius. Being not the only child in the family, Claudius does not have much power. This...
Q

Why Does Hamlet Act Crazy?

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Two of the characters that showed signs of insanity are Claudius and Ophelia. Hamlet faked his madness at the beginning of the play for the sake of revenge for his father. However,...
Q

What are Hamlet’s last words?

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Hamlet gets wounded at the duel with Claudius and tells his last words to his friend Horatio. The prince reflects on Denmark's political situation and leaves a remark, "the rest is...
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What’s the difference between soliloquy vs. aside?

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A soliloquy is a character’s monologue in a play, not directed towards anyone in particular. Shakespeare uses them as a tool to reveal thought processes. An aside is a short expression...
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Why does Polonius send Reynaldo to Paris?

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Polonius, in Hamlet, sends Reynaldo to France as his undercover agent to spy on his son. He pays him as his servant, giving him the orders that he won’t be able to disobey. Polonius...
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Where does Claudius send Cornelius and Voltimand? Why?

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Claudius delegates Cornelius and Voltimand to go to Norway. Their task is to deliver a letter where he begs their king for help. As a Denmark King, he is afraid that the war between...
Q

What Advice Does Polonius Give Laertes?

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The scene of a conversation between Polonius and his son takes place before Laertes leaves for France. People are inclined to judge others by their appearance. So, Polonius advises...
Q

What are Examples of Dramatic Irony in Hamlet?

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In Hamlet, dramatic irony is created when only Hamlet and the readers learn the truth about the King’s death. His pretense of being mad also results in this type of irony. He fakes it...
Q

What was the “moment of final suspense” in Hamlet?

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The reader can regard the duel in Act 5, scene 2 of Shakespeare’s tragedy as the “moment of final suspense.” In the scene before, Hamlet agreed to have the fencing match with Laertes....
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What is Hamlet’s Opinion About Theater?

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For Hamlet, it is essential to portray a story in a realistic way. He wants the actors to represent people as close as possible to their real images. In The Murder of Gonzago, he tries...
Q

Why does Hamlet kill Polonius?

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During a forcible dialogue between Hamlet and Gertrude at the end of act 3, Polonius revealed his presence. The protagonist pierced the tapestry hoping that Claudius was hiding behind...
Q

Do you think Hamlet is a problem play or a tragedy? Why?

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Hamlet is a problem play, as it represents the theme of madness. Hamlet tries to make people think he is harmless, pretending to be mad. But examining the death of his father, Hamlet...
Q

Does Hamlet Love Ophelia?

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Hamlet and Ophelia's relationship in Shakespeare’s Hamlet is complicated. The prince had genuine feelings towards Ophelia before his father's death. Following his mother's second...
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What is “get thee to a nunnery” meaning?

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The nunnery scene is a result of Hamlet's issues with both his mother and Ophelia. One has been sleeping around and married his uncle, and the other just declined his advances. To his...
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Why does Polonius think Hamlet is mad?

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The main reason why Polonius thinks that Hamlet is mad is because of his obsessive love for Ophelia. As a result, he forbids his daughter to communicate with the prince for her safety...
Q

What does the first soliloquy reveal about Hamlet?

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Hamlet’s monologue reveals the immense grief that the hero feels after losing his father. The main character is confronted with the fact that his mother married another man after only...
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What conflict(s) does Hamlet Experience Inside Himself?

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Inner conflicts that Hamlet experiences are connected with the revenge for his father’s death. He tries to deal with grief and betrayal by his loved ones. In doing so, he contemplates...
Q

How is Laertes a Foil for Hamlet?

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Throughout Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet goes on a quest to take revenge against his father’s murderer. Some characters support Hamlet, while others scheme against him. Laertes is one of...
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What words suggest that Claudius plans to control Hamlet?

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Claudius is afraid of Hamlet and wants to silence him and put “fetters upon this fear.” He plans on sending his nephew away to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Detailed...
Q

What Does the Ghost Tell Hamlet?

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The Ghost of Hamlet's father appears in act 1, scene 5, and gives guidance to his son. He reveals the cause of his death: his brother, King Claudius, poisoned him when he was asleep....
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Which Details in Hamlet Reflect Elizabethan Society?

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William Shakespeare wrote Hamlet between 1599 and 1601, the end of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. The play reflects its society by mirroring the monarchical form of government. Revealing...
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What Incident Serves to Initiate the Conflict in Hamlet?

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There are many conflicts presented in the entire play. However, one of the crucial arguments occurred on the basis of the death of Hamlet’s father. Gertrude, Hamlet’s mother, reveals...