Guiding questions: What have we learned about Gertrude prior to this scene? How would you characterize her? Why might she have remarried so quickly? How do you explain her guilt in the bedroom scene? Where do her loyalties lie to her son, husband, former husband, or herself?
In class activity:
You will be required to write down stage directions prior to acting out the scenes. These stage directions (in prompt book fashion) should clearly articulate the goals of each actor on stage, particularly Gertrude.
Each group will have to act out their portion of the scene, carefully figuring out how Gertrude is saying her lines and how she is behaving while she is both speaking and silent. Each person should be active in some way in the scene.
Group A - Zoe and James
Begin with Queen's "I will not speak with her." (4.5.1)
End with Queen's "Let her come in." (4.5.21)
Group B - Iris, Kathy, and Charlie
Begin with Queen's "To my sick soul (as sin's true nature is)," (4.5.22)
End with Queen's "Alas, look here, my lord." (4.5.42)
Group C (Silent Gertrude moment) - Leona, John, and Chris
Begin with Ophelia's "Larded all with sweet flowers;" (4.5.43)
End with King's "Give me superfluous death." (4.5.103)
Group D - Caesar, Kevin, and Judy
Begin with Queen's "Alack, what noise is this?" (4.5.104)
End with Queen's "O, this is counter, you false Danish dogs!" (4.5.120)
Group E - Jimmy and Naias
Begin with King's "The doors are broke." (4.5.121)
End with Queen's "But not by him." (4.5.146)
Group F (Silent Gertrude moment) - Ethan and Susan
Begin with King's "Let him demand his fill." (4.5.147)
End with Laertes's "How now, what noise is that?" (4.5.177)
