Reply to a response – A paragraph

For this assignment, you must reply to a student response in a lengthy paragraph – well written. The student reply is on question Option 2, based on act 4, scene 4.

Option 2) Act IV, scene 4, opens with young Fortinbras ordering the captain of his army to meet with King Claudius to request permission to march over his Danish kingdom, in order for Fortinbras’ army reach Poland and engage in battle. Hamlet then runs into the same captain who admits to Hamlet that Norway may be battling to “…gain a little patch of ground /That had in it no profit but the name” (IV.4.18-19). Closely analyze Hamlet’s following soliloquy (lines 32-67). What are his currents thoughts on his mission of revenge? How might he be comparing himself to Fortinbras? How specifically does Hamlet admonish himself? What does he seem to view as his own greatest character flaw? Does he seem to reach any decision by the end of this soliloquy?

Here is the student reply you need to answer to —

Following his conversation with the captain of Fortinbras army, Hamlet realizes that he is acting cowardly. In this soliloquy Hamlet reminds himself that he has reason and power to enact his revenge, yet he still hesitates. (4.1.45). On the other hand Fortinbras and his army are willing to fight a brutal war over something that is insignificant. Similar to the awe he felt, earlier in the play, when watching the play and seeing the actors relay passionate reactions to characters and people they don’t know personally, Hamlet compares himself to the army. He is ashamed that while he must avenge his fathers murder he is hesitating because he is over thinking and delaying it. The army on the other hand are marching to a unknown and possibly deadly war over something worthless. Furthermore Hamlet compares himself to Fortinbras, who he states is “a delicate and tender prince, whose spirit with divine ambition puffed makes mouths at the invisible event, exposing what is mortal and unsure” (4.1.49-52). According to Hamlet, Fortinbras is a prince who is ambitious enough to lead an army to a unknown fate simply to protect his honor. “Rightly to be great is not to stir without great argument, but greatly to find quarrel in a straw when honor’s at stake. How stand I then, that have a father killed…excitements of my reason and my blood, and let all sleep” (4.1.54-60). Through his observation of Fortinbras ambition Hamlet realizes that you do not need emotional or even strong provocation to fight. Through this encounter with the captain and the marching army Hamlet reveals his greatest flaw; over thinking. While observing Fortinbras, Hamlet admits to being impressed by his ambition and understands that he must also stop letting his greatest flaw, his over thinking, stand in the way of his revenge. “from this time forth, my thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth” (4.1.67). Hamlet understands that up till this point he has been letting his thinking, which he credits to being one part wisdom and three parts cowardice, derail him from his true mission (4.1.43). By stating that he wishes to only have violent thoughts and if they aren’t violent they are worthless, Hamlet is trying to overcome his own flaw. In his soliloquy it is obvious that Hamlet wishes to enact his revenge, and by the end of the soliloquy it seems he has made up his mind to have violent ambition similar to Fortinbras. However, one can infer that Hamlet’s over thinking flaw will cause his downfall. Interestingly in the beginning of the soliloquy Hamlet states, “Sure, he that made us with such large discourse, looking before and after, gave us not that capability and godlike reason to fust in us unused” (4.1.37-40). This statement is interesting because Hamlet has a history of justifying his actions, or lack thereof on God. Earlier in the play Hamlet stops himself from killing the king, stating the kings repenting to God will grant him access to heaven and also stating that he can’t commit suicide due to the fact it is a sin. Based on his history, it is obvious that although Hamlet acknowledges his biggest flaw is his over thinking, he subtly justified it by stating it is because God gave humans the power to think and reason, and without these powers humans would simply be beasts.

WHAT YOU WILL HAVE TO DO IS; reply to another students response, doing the following; MAKE SURE THAT —

— The Response is constructive and differences in opinion are expressed in a collegial, respectful manner. — —- Response is not repetitious
— Posting responds in a substantive way to the classmate’s post, posing comments or questions that enhance the discussion and move it forward. AT A MINIMUM, your classmate response should include AT LEAST TWO of the following:
1. Expands or clarifies a point made in your classmate’s response
2. Offers an additional argument/provides evidence to support a position taken (MLA CITATION FOR QUOTES! author, page number)
3. Provides an informed counterview (with textual support) on a point where your
analysis of the text may differ from your classmate’s
4. Provides detailed informed/constructive suggestions

Follow word count! Please make it a good proper response to the classmates’ reply, filled with evidence to back up your words. USE AT LEAST 2 of the 1-4 listed above in your reply to the students response

You can begin like .. Very nicely put! I agree that.. or I would like to add on..
and then expand or clarify their point, offer more evidence or another argument, do a counter view, suggestions ..

just make sure at least 2 are discussed thoroughly in the reply! Thank you. I have also added notes for you to read for both cantos to help your comprehension.