Hamlet+5

__**Hamlet Act 5**__ __Set the Scene (1)__ __Questions__ __Set the Scene (2)__ __Questions__ __Ambiguity__
 * It is damp and somewhat dark out, like early sunrise. The Gravedigger is hunched over in dark dirty clothes center stage. As Hamlet and Horatio enter I picture Hamlet in a cape or jacket obscuring his identity. His face can be revealed as he looks at the skull, but the focus should zoom in and have an odd lighting to his face. As others enter from one side, Hamlet and Horatio move to the other side, and are hidden behind old ruins to observe the procession. The light and zoom do not focus on Laertes as he jumps into the grave, but stay so that Hamlet can still be seen. As Hamlet goes closer to Laertes and they begin fighting, the focus should narrow but still be able to see everyone, especially Horatio as he pulls Hamlet away. Hamlet storms off and the King is now center as he tells others where to go and what to do. By the end the lighting should be normal, no more dusk.
 * What is the point of the Gravedigger’s opening conversation?
 * Why does Hamlet play with the skull? Insanity?
 * Did Hamlet love Ophelia? If so then why did he attack her so when he acted mad?
 * In a deserted, but relatively normal and lit hall, Hamlet and Horatio speak softly. Osric walks so quickly that he nearly passes them, but then jerks to a stop once he realizes that it’s Hamlet and Horatio. While the three talk, Osric stands awkwardly to the side. As he hurriedly leaves, Hamlet and Horatio slowly follow until the Lord also sees them and ushers them into the large hall where the King and Queen sit in their thrones. Hamlet and Laertes exchange words in front of the king and then arm themselves. They fight center stage and the king is on his throne with a clear view. When the Queen drinks from the poisoned chalice, the king does not loose his focus on the match. Once Hamlet and Laertes are hit, they go to their knees in weakness. The Queen falls and the King stands in front of her as though obscure her from the view of the others but she yells from behind him. Fighting between Hamlet and Laertes stops when the Queen falls. Laertes reveals all as he clutches his side in agony and Hamlet springs up to stab the king in one last splurge of effort. Hamlet is left crouching on the steps up to the throne as he implores Horatio, who comes close to him, to tell his story. Fortinbras enters from the side, down stage and sees all of the bodies as though he is the audience, but then he turns around as Horatio descends the stairs and the final words are spoken directly to the audience as Hamlet is bore away.
 * How did hamlet find out about R and G? I assumed he could just always tell.
 * What does Hamlet mean about the reference to England? How does this connect to giving Fortinbras the throne?
 * Prose vs. Iambic Pentameter
 * Hamlet goes back and forth without the previous pattern.
 * He speaks in prose even when speaking to Horatio at the beginning of scene one but reverts back to blank verse when Ophelia’s burial party enters. He could have just spoken in prose because the gravedigger did as an unintelligent character.
 * Hamlet again uses prose when speaking to Osric.
 * Other than that he speaks in iambic pentameter.
 * When speaking of Ophelia the Queen has prose to show that her words are a lie.
 * Hamlet blames his insanity for offenses to Laertes.