In Act 4, Claudius notes that “sorrows come…in battalions.” By the end of the play these sorrows include the deaths of all the major characters except Horatio. To what degree can Claudius be held responsible for all the sorrows of the play? Which sorrows may be particularly traced to Hamlet?

2 answers

Consider who killed whom and who plotted with someone else to kill others.

Make three lists. Put Claudius at the top of one; put Laertes at the top of the 2nd; put Hamlet at the top of the 3rd. Under each man's name, list each character you believe he killed or plotted to kill.

Once you have made your lists, look them over and see what you think. These lists should help you figure out how you will answer these questions.
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