Hamlet 4.7 | Laertes Tricked By Claudius

Question 1

4.7 “Knowing ear” / “he which have your noble father slain/pursued my life”

Answer 1

Claudius flatters laertes by suggesting he is wise and knowledgable as well as suggesting they’re united by sharing an enemies

Claudius also flatters the memory of polonius by depicting him as ‘noble’ a compliment that perhaps contrasts his buffoonish nature

Question 2

4.7 ‘Masterly report’ // ‘Lamord, I know him well’

Answer 2

Claudius manipulates laertes and creates a fictional report of laertes’ rapier (sword) skills to trick him into dualling with Hamlet.
Laertes a more innocent + gullible character is quick to accept this untruth , cares about masculinity and pride

Question 3

4.7 ‘Are you like the painting of a sorrow’ // ‘what would you undertake in deed”

Answer 3

Shakespeare’s metaphor conveys Claudius’ manipulation as he questions whether Laertes’ grief is simply a superficial ‘painting’ , rather than something more substantial

Claudius goes on to question whether laertes will actually act or whether his grief is simply a show

Question 4

4.7 How does Laertes react to Claudius’ questions about the sincerity of his grief?

Answer 4

He responds with he will ‘cut his throat I th’ church’ , suggesting he is willing to bypass any moral or religious boundary to gain vengeance. This is similar to what he says in 4.5 - e.g. ‘vows to the blackest devil’