Hamlet Act III Questions

Hamlet Act 3 Questions for Study
Act 3
Scene 1:

1. What do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report to Polonius?

-They tell of Hamlet’s general wellbeing, but have different reports on his responses and manner. R says that he answered everything while G says that Hamlet avoided the questions craftily. Plus, they reported his joy at the actors coming into town.

2. How does Claudius react when Polonius says, "…with devotion's visage, And pious action we do sugar o'er/ The devil himself"?

-Claudius agrees with Polonius while thinking about how guilty he feels for murdering the old King Hamlet.

3. What plan do Polonius, Claudius and Ophelia now put into action?

-They plan to lure Hamlet into talking with Ophelia while Polonius and Claudius are listening behind a tapestry. They wish to determine if Hamlet truly loves Ophelia, or at least if it is partially the cause of his newfound madness.

4. What is the nature of Hamlet's soliloquy, lines 57-91?

-This super famous soliloquy is all about whether acting against a wrong immediately, patiently biding time for the right opportunity, or commiting suicide to avoid it all is best. Hamlet is arguing with himself and trying to weigh the pros and cons of both sides. He ends his thoughts by declaring revenge is often overweighed with moral considerations and that prevents people (himself) from taking action, despite good intentions.

5. What is Hamlet's main argument against suicide?

-Hamlet is unsure of what comes after death and believes it could be worse than life or better. The uncertainty prevents him from acting.

6. Why does Hamlet treat Ophelia as cruelly as he does? What has changed him?

-Hamlet believes that Ophelia, like all women, will eventually betray him. He believes his mother betrayed his father by marrying Claudius and thus has lost all faith in women.

7. What thinly veiled threat to Claudius does Hamlet voice, after he becomes of his hidden presence? (lines 148-150)

-Those men that are married – all but one- shall remain so. He pretty much says his aim is to kill one married man, Claudius.

8. At the end of this scene, what does the King decide to do with Hamlet?

-The King decides to get rid of Hamlet by sending him to England. This will get Hamlet out of the King’s hair and make the Prince less of a threat.

Scene 2:

9. What qualities in Horatio cause Hamlet to enlist his assistance?

            -Hortaio is well settled emotionally, does not allow his anger or passions to sway himself, and bears life’s ups and downs with an equal disposition.

10. What does Hamlet ask Horatio to do?

-Hamlet wants Horatio to observe Claudius during the play and the compare notes on his reactions with Hamlet later. This will ensure that Hamlet has a relatively unbiased third party opinion.

11. Summarize what happens in the play-within-a-play.

-A King and Queen are happily together, but then a jealous man poisons the King and takes his place. The Queen, hesitant at first, comes to believe the new King is good and is fooled.

12. Why, in line 233, does Hamlet refer to the play-within-a-play as "The Mouse-trap"?

-It is a trap for Claudius because Hamlet aims to reveal Claudius’s inner feelings. This is possible because the play reinacts essentially what Claudius did to get on the throne.

13. What is the King's reaction to the play?

            -He is visibly shaken, yells at people, and leaves the theatre.

14. In lines 354-363, to what object does Hamlet compare himself? Why?

-A stringed instrument, maybe a guitar of some sort. Hamlet compares himself to an instrument because an instrument can be manipulated, but only by those who know how. Hamlet tells Guildenstern and Rosencrantz that none of them can outwit himself.

15. As Hamlet goes to his mother at the end of this scene, what does he say he'll do?

-Hamlet says to the audience that he will be cruel to his mother to get revenge on her for marrying Claudius.

Scene III

1) What does Claudius plan to do with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and Hamlet?

-Send them all to England with R&G as escorts to spy upon Hamlet.

2) What is Polonius going to do while Hamlet speaks with his mother?

-He plans to hide behind a tapestry and listen to Hamlet and Gertrude in her private chambers.

3) List three important things about Claudius’ soliloquy.

            -The guilt of killing the old King is beginning to weigh on Claudius’ mind.

-He can’t be forgiven by prayer or God because he is still committing wrong by holding the position of King and husband to Gertrude.

-Claudius feels trapped because there is no way for forgiveness until he relinquishes the crown, which he doesn’t want to do.

4) Why is it odd that Hamlet sees the king praying?

-Hamlet didn’t believe that Claudius could/would pray because he has done so much wrong that Hamlet assumed he was all bad, with no holy part left or possible.

5) Why doesn’t Hamlet take this opportunity for revenge?

-Hamlet believes that if Claudius is praying, then his soul will go to heaven, not hell or purgatory which is where he deserves. Heaven would be no punishment for a King-killer.

Scene IV

1) Describe Polonius’ advice to Gertrude.

-Polonius tells Gertrude that she must be firm with Hamlet and tell the Prince he has done much wrong.

2) What is the significance of the following quote: “How now, a rat? Dead! For a ducat, dead!

-Polonius is a rat, noisy and useless. Hamlet considers him less than nothing and kills without remorse.

3) What is odd about the following quote: A bloody deed; almost as bad, good mother, as kill a king and marry with his brother.

-Hamlet is admitting to being almost as corrupt as Claudius, the one person he hates most in the world.

4) Why might Gertrude say, “What have I done, that thou dar’st wag thy tongue in noise so rude against me.”

-Gertrude could be trying to pretend innocence or sincerely innocent in her lack of knowledge. She could mean to simply escape Hamlet by pretending because he, in her eyes, has clearly gone off the deep end.

5) What descriptions does Hamlet use to compare his father and his uncle?
            -His father is described as Hyperion and all things light and good. Claudius is 

compared with a moldy ear of corn.

6) What point does Hamlet make by comparing the men?

-Hamlet hopes to shame Gertrude into admitting her guilt, which she does not. Plus it serves to show just how little he regards Claudius.

7) What is disturbing about the following: Nay, but to live in the rank sweat of an enseamed bed; stewed in corruption; honeying, and making love over the nasty sty.”

-Hamlet is picturing his own mother and step father in bed together. Most sons and daughters, regardless of age, do not enjoy or try to picture their parents/step parents in bed together. His fixation on this does not bode well for his mental state.

8) What stops Hamlet’s ranting and raving at Gertrude? What does this figure tell Hamlet?

-The Ghost comes in and tells Hamlet to remember his purpose for coming to Gertrude. It stops his relentless berating of her new relationship.

9) By the end of the act, Hamlet has made many statements about humanity, in general. Explain a few of his points. Do his opinions reflect his madness.

-Women (and love) will only cause harm to men. Hamlet believes that he and his father have been betrayed by the women they love. This is fairly logical as it is easy to see why Hamlet would see his mother remarrying a less guy as bad.

10) Explain the differences between the ghost in Act I with the ghost in Act III. Why might these differences reflect Hamlet’s insanity?

-The Ghost in Act I is visible to all of the people, Act III’s is only visible to Hamlet. In the beginning Hamlet is dissatisfied with Claudius and has a logical plan to get rid of him. In the third act, Hamlet is so obsessed with offing Claudius and the wrongs he has committed that he hasn’t a perception of restraint. The ghost may be Hamlet’s inner conscience telling him to regain his control. Before the ghost as a reflection of Hamlet’s conscience was urging to action against Claudius.

Hamlet Act 2

1)   What does Polonius tell Reynaldo in the opening of Act II? How does he plan to trap his son?

-Polonius instructs Reynaldo to spy on Laertes. To get info he wants Reynaldo to spread untrue rumors about Laertes to discover whether people agree with the falsities or not.

2) What does this say about Polonius?

-He is foolish, paranoid, and into espionage. Firstly, this could contribute to a bad image of Laertes, which reflects on the family name. By the constant attempt to spy, it is easy to infer that Polonius is paranoid about everyone and everything.

3) What particularly in Act II scene 1 has disturbed Ophelia?

-Hamlet grabs Ophelia’s arm and acts like a loon. Plus, he is very disheveled and dirty which further enhances the alarm Ophelia feels.

4) Why have Rosencrantez and Guildenstern been sent to Denmark?

-They have been called by the King and Queen to figure out why exactly Hamlet is mourning so heavily plus to decipher if he has anything planned or is scheming against the crown.

5) What does Hamlet ask the players to recite? How does the allusion mimic Hamlet’s position?
            -The story of Aeneas killing Pyrrhus in front of Pyrrhus’s wife Hecuba. It is from Hecuba’s viewpoint the tale is spoken. The killing was done in revenge for Aneas’ father who was slayed by Pyrrhus. This detail is quite relevant to Hamlet because he is seeking revenge for old King Hamlet’s untimely demise.

Identify the following speaker of the following lines and discuss to whom the lines are being delivered, and what the lines mean?

6) “No, my lord, but as you did command/ I did repel his letter, and denied his access to me”

-Ophelia: She is reporting to her father that Hamlet approached her, after she had rebuffed his advances and letters. Ophelia is making sure she is on her father’s good side by obeying him.

7) “More matter less art”

-Gertrude: Gertrude is telling Polonius to get on with his explanation of Hamlet’s actions because it is taking forever to reach a point by employing flowery language.

8) “That I, the son of a dear father murdered,/ Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell/ Must like a whore unpack my heart with words,

            -Hamlet: These lines are spoken to no one (a soliloquy). Hamlet is planning to trick Claudius into unveiling his true emotions and plans to ensure he is guilty before physically killing the new King. A prostitute would, according to Hamlet, sweet talk people into letting go of their money via emotions. Hamlet has a different goal, but the idea is the same.

9) “Your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth/ And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,/ with windlasses and with assays of bias,/ By directions find directions out.”

            -Polonius: The foolish father Polonius is instructing Reynaldo on how to gather information while spying on Laertes. He tells Reynaldo to say lies about Laertes to see which of them is true and which denied.

10) “For if the sun breeds maggots in a dead dog, being a good kissing carrion-Have you a daughter?”

            -Hamlet: Hamlet is pretending to not to know who Polonius is or that he is Ophelia’s father. The protagonist is saying the sun can be a force for good or evil. It is an implies self-directed metaphor for Hamlet being the sun, which is usually a good comparison, but it can also make things rot.

11) List three metaphors (1 direct, 1 implied, 1 extended) from the play.

            -Direct: Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth.

            -Implied: O Jephthah, judge of Israel, wha a treasure hadst though?

-Extended: The Garden of Eden is Elsinore, with characters playing different parts of the nature. Hamlet is the sun, Ophelia is a flower, Claudius is the snake and many other characters are represented.

12) What proof does Polonius have that he believe indicates Hamlet’s love for Ophelia?

            -His constant bothering of Ophelia. Plus Polonius was once deeply in love with a woman and he went to great lengths to court her.

13) Explain the quote, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” How does this relate to Hamlet.

-Nothing has morality until human assign it. Hamlet cannot objectively say for sure if the killing the old King was bad, but because he is the son of King he automatically thinks it bad.

14) What is a fishmonger?

            -A master of the brothel business. AKA a pimp.

15) Who was Jephthah?

            -A bible guy whose wife was a whore and he killed their daughter.

Hamlet Act 1Scenes 2-4

HAMLET ACT 1 Scene 2
1. What is odd about Hamlet’s appearance in the opening of scene two?

-He’s dressed all in black and is very rude/abrasive towards his mother and step father.

2. Explain (give at least two reasons) why Claudius needs to justify his marriage in the opening of scene two.

-Marrying a brother’s wife (even if he’s deceased) is considered incest in this situation.

-The marriage comes very quickly after the old King’s death, so Claudius needs to pretend they have had time to mourn respectfully according to social norms.

3. Laertes asks the King for leave to do what, specifically?

-Laertes asks the King for permission to go back to France.

4. Explain Hamlet’s insult when he says, “A little more than kin and less than kind.”

-Claudius is ‘more than kin’ because he is both an uncle and now a step father to Hamlet. Totally awkward family situation. The new King is ‘less than kind’ because Hamlet resents him for marrying his mother, especially because it was so soon after his father’s death.

5. Explain Hamlet’s use of pun in the line, “Not so my lord, I am too much in the sun.”

-He resents being the (step) son of Claudius, so it is too much to be both his father’s son and Claudius’ as well.

6. In Hamlet’s first soliloquy it is obvious that what troubles him most is?

-That his once dear mother married Claudius rapidly after the death of his beloved father. Hamlet also suggests that her tears for the old King were perhaps a ruse.

7. What does Hamlet mean by the following lines

-Hamlet denies that his grief is put on or overly dramatic. He tells the Queen that sorrow doesn’t have a look and it can’t be faked, but he wears the black clothes and mourns outwardly so others know the extent of it.

8. What does Hamlet say about the baked meats and the funeral and the wedding.

-The wedding of the Queen to Claudius was so soon after the funeral of his father that the leftover meat from the mourning feast was used for the wedding banquet. This is both distasteful and a bit gross metaphor because recycling meat is not sanitary.

9. What news does Horatio, Marcellus and Barnardo bring to Hamlet.
            -They explain how the guard watch have seen the ghost of old King Hamlet, or at least his semblance. Hamlet is exceedingly eager to investigate.

Act 1 scenes 3-4

1) What is Laertes advice to Ophelia?

-Laertes, in typical older brother fashion, tells Ophelia not to grow too attached to Hamlet because he may or may not love her; even if he does truly adore her, as the heir to the throne, Hamlet is not free to marry or love whom he wishes.

2) How does “The canker galls the infants of the spring/ too oft before their buttons be disclos’d” fit into the ideology of the decaying garden?

-What Laertes means is that love than hurt/kill the recipient if it is not truly meant. Plus, he is telling Ophelia not to have any other relations with Hamlet because it ruins her in the eyes of society. Ophelia is a flower that could be easily damaged by Hamlet ( a canker).

3) What analogy does Ophelia give to her brother as an answer to his advice? What does she mean?

-Ophelia tells her brother not to show her a difficult mountain path, while himself taking a rosy garden stroll. She is essentially telling him to follow his own advice and not get in any inappropriate relations with women.

4) List five of the “few precepts” that Polonius gives to Laertes.

-Do not gamble

-Do not lend or borrow money

-Listen to every man, but don’t speak all your thoughts aloud

-Be charming, but not crude or offensive

-Don’t get in a fight, but if you do, kick their butt

5) In lines 105-109, what is the metaphor that Polonius uses to describe Hamlet’s words of love?

-Polonius tells Ophelia that Hamlet’s words are like fake money. They look great and shiny, but are worthless.

6) List and explain one metaphor found in the lines 115-135.

-“These blazes, daughter/ Giving more light than heat, extinct in both/ Even their promise as it is a-making,/ You must not take for fire.”

-Polonius is telling Ophelia that Hamlet’s passion (and hers) look and feel great, but are actually neither under closer inspection. He tells her not to fall under the trap of love or it’s passions, nor believe that Hamlet does either.

7) What is Polonius’ command to Ophelia?

-Polonius forbids Ophelia from speaking with or hanging out with Hamlet.

8) In scene 4, what is Hamlet talking about in lines 13-38?

-In the beginning of scene four, Hamlet’s monologue is about the flaw every man posses. Hamlet says that every man has a fault that can bring about his own ruin. He implies Claudius’ is drinking. Unknowingly, Hamlet is also foreshadowing his own future fate.

9) Why doesn’t Horatio want Hamlet to follow the ghost?

-Horatio is nervous for Hamlet to follow the ghost because he believes that the spirit might be evil and lead Hamlet into physical death or psychological madness. Plus, they do not know its motives and thus are unaware of what it desires.

10) What is Hamlet’s command to the three guards?

-Hamlet tells the guards to keep going and not to follow him. He tells them that once the Ghost has concluded its business, he’ll catch up.

Ways to Write Intros/Transitions

Transitions

Tidbits

CH 35

Esther points out an extremely depressing tidbit about English life and times. Mr. Woodcourt, despite being heroic and generally a superb human being, has no chance of being knighted. Why? Because he is not rich and not nobility. This revelation is very depressing as it shows how bias the whole society is towards the elite, whether they deserve it or not. Dickens makes a very strong statement in this chapter with the condemnation of social order.

CH 36

Lady Dedlock is a hard to read character. She reveals herself, and her relationship, to Esther in this chapter. Yet, she insists that their relation be kept a secret. It would bring great shame upon Lady Dedlock and the family. I can’t help but wonder if it is at least partially her own reputation and fortune she is looking after by asking it be kept secret. Does she truly love Esther above everything else? It is hard, if not impossible to say with how Lady Dedlock is represented.

CH 37

The whole idea that once the J vs J court case gets its claws into a person, the person is trapped comes up in this chapter. Richard who once was a good, if lazy, person has become enraptured with the case. This leads him to spend money on more lawyers and his frame of mind begins to weaken. The idea of money or winning is what the case represents. Dickens uses this case as a warning not to be greedy or gamble. Richard is gambling by placing his faith and future on the hope that money will wrought from the resolution of the case.

CH 38

Shallow and a money-grabber accurately describes Mr. Guppy. Although Esther has no intention of looking for another proposal from him, he makes it blatantly clear of his disinterest in her. Her now disfigured face is a major turn off for Guppy. It is a good thing Esther was so adamant about not becoming engaged to him earlier in the story because it would have been a mistake. Guppy is just another person Esther has to navigate around in her life. He is placed in the story as a challenge for Esther to overcome.

CH 39

Nothing ever seems to go away in Bleak House. When Guppy goes back with his pal to Krook’s building, they try and take a quick peek around, hoping to find some letters left from him. They are unsuccessful but the Smallweeds are also noticeably there. They aren’t cleaning up or anything like that. They are searching for something. That something is unspoken, but I would guess it to be any letters or writing left over from Captain Hawdon. Why are they searching so intensely? Who are they working for? My guess would be that they were payed off by Tulkinghorn.

CH 40

The ignorance of the wealthy and the nobility is showcased in this chapter. Sir Dedlock declares that he is against any type of reform in social structure or any people from lower classes getting representation. He thinks of the lower classes as stupid, uninformed, and not really worthy of consideration. Somehow Dedlock and his cronies are still in charge, despite the overwhelming numbers of the lower class. It is clear that the third person narrator is disgusted with Dedlock and nobility in general. They use him to exemplify the product of an unfair system.

CH 41

Tulkinghorn is one interesting guy. He holds power over Lady Dedlock, but he refrains from using it. The patience he posses is astounding, as is his apparent lack of emotion. His ambition in cornering a noble family displays tenacity. Dickens rights this character as an example of someone who rises from lower class and gains advantage over the ruling majority. He is an example of an underdog becoming top dog in society,

CH 42

Hortense is an angry, determined woman. Her desire for revenge is enough to match Tulkinghorn’s tenacity. Her complete denial of anything but personal revenge is impressive. She is a more emotionally-driven version of Tulkinghorn. Perhaps Dickens inserted her into the story to show contrasted versions of revenge.

CH 43

Sir Leicester and Skimpole liking each other is irony at its finest. Skimpole is a moocher and Leicester a rich man who proclaims the superiority of the upper class. Skimpole easily takes advantage of Leicester, putting him in a superior position mentally, if not socially.

CH 44

Esther becomes engaged to Mr. Jayndyce, but in typical eccentric Jarndyce fashion, he writes a letter to herand says nothing about it face to face. When Esther replies with an affirmative, he is happy and calls her the Mistress of Bleak House. Not really a term of endearment, but she accepts this with her usual grace and goodwill. It is strange that he offers to marry her without more ‘love’. It seems like he almost feels like it is his obligation to do so, but one willingly done.

CH 45

Poor Esther. She has become engaged to Jarndyce and seeing Woodcourt in this chapter is a blow to her. She thought of before when her appearance may have enabled her a shot at Woodcourt. Her denial of any future with him is a bit depressing, as it is clear she still harbors secret feelings for him. This is obvious as she describes locking away old feelings ect in the last sentences. The author in this chapter plays on the romantic side of the story, with Esther playing the tragic heroine.

Ch 46

Poor Jo. His life has been such a bummer. From living in Tom’s-All-Alone to infecting one of the only people who has ever been nice to him. His life is the epitome of hopelessness and unecessary misery. He is the innocent victim of a society that cares nothing for those without power.

CH 47

Mr. George is the kind of fellow whom you hope succeeds. He always appears to be out of luck, money, or some other essential. Yet, he is chivalrous, kind, and a genuinely good person. Despite his own troubles he helps Jo in his final, depressing days. George is a representation of making the best out of any situation.

CH 48

Tulkinghorn is totally murdered by Lady Dedlock. She is very set on protecting the family name and her reputation. Plus she must feel very cornered by Tulkinghorn’s threats. It is not fleshed out, but my bet is that she killed Tulkinghorn, or at least got someone to do it for her.

CH 49

Bucket is quite the actor. He is able to convince an entire family, without really lying, that he is a friend of Mr. George. His whole nice guy routine is very genuine if a bit strange. It makes you wonder if Dickens has any surprises in store with regards to Buckets true character and motives.

CH 50

Caddy Turveydrop’s ill health is a plot device to make more interaction between the main characters and Mr. Woodcourt. This is a bit bittersweet for Esther because she (it’s obvious) still likes Woodcourt, but is resolved to be focused only on Jarndyce.

CH 51

Richard looks positively sick. His appearance is described as ‘shrunken’ and diminished. It is clear that the case is sucking the life out of him. Esther is no fool and recognizes this clearly. The nature of the court is killing a once healthy person during the course of this book. Dickens uses Richard as another example of the evils cause by the Chancery court.

CH 52

Because Mr. George is the picture of morals and everything good, he denies lawyers. In Bleak House, anyone who abstains or rejects lawyers are essentially good. This confirms the idea that George is not the murderer because of his righteous nature.

CH 53

Mr. Bucket is cunning but hides it behind a schmoozing and charming exterior. His role is that if an outsider/newcomer bringing to light all the secrets of the Jarndyce and Esther case. His fresh outlook and new opinions allow him to think in a way that others more accustomed or intertwined with the case cannot.

CH 54

Mr. Bucket accuses/states that women are more vicious to each other when displeased than when a man is in their bad graces. This notion is interesting because it pits women vs. women, instead of women vs. men. Maybe it stems from being trapped in a male-dominated society, so anger and action upon a female are less likely to be criticized.

CH 55

A touching reunion between Mr. George and his mother Mrs. Rouncewell, the housekeeper of Chesney Wold is featured in this installment. Dickens likes to throw these heartwarming scenes in to lighten the mood and attract readers who might be bored by the seriousness.

CH 56

Lady Dedlock is on the run! She hopes to escape her fate by suicide or escape. That she would choose to run instead of stay and face her husband or the consequences does nothing to improve opinion of her character. It is also a blow against women in this book, that Dickens thought she would try to escape.

CH 57

An allusion to a great musician is made by Mr. Bucket. Michael Jackson, King of Pop is referenced in this historical fiction. He is described as wearing a blue velvet waistcoat with pearl buttons. Even this mention of attire is similar to MJ’s interesting wardrobe.

CH 58

The Dedlock relatives are vultures in English clothing. Volumnia, a particularly moochful specimen, hopes only that Dedlock has interest in her. She probably is wishing that Sir Dedlock likes her enough to giver her money or scam him out of some if that doesn’t work. Relatives are supposed to care about family, but Dickens makes it clear that the nobility have no such morals. This is more proof of the corruption of the powerful rich class.

CH 59

Mr. Woodcourt is compassionate and gentle with Esther. Even Bucket is quite soft. The shock is huge for Esther and the impact of Lady D’s death is going to be large. The reason Lady D had to die, as a part of the plot, is because she would be a burden for Esther, whereas dead Esther can mourn peacefully.

CH 60

The Wards in Jarndyce are two of Miss Flite’s birds. That is mightily disturbing. They are caged in by the Chancery J vs. J suit metaphorically in the birds. It seems like Richard will never get out of the Chancery claws now that he is in court everyday. Perhaps he’ll be destined to become like Miss Flite, the crazy person obsessed with the case.

CH 61

“Responsibility… has always been below me.” – Harold Skimpole

Slimy, weasely, and irritating are just a miniscule amount of adjectives that describe Skimpole. His ability to steer people off their subject choice or any unpleasant topic is stellar. However, considering Esther’s gentle disposition, she gives him a verbal lashing. She explicitly states to stay away from the Carstones. This scene shows how much Esther has grown. When she entered the Jarndyce household, she could have never been so bold. As she matures with the story, Esther becomes more able to handle the world and affairs. It is a definite coming of age scene.

CH 62

 Jarndyce is so unimpressed with Kenge and Vholes that his usually kind manner is very abrupt. They talk of a new document like it will actually go anywhere in making the case close. Jarndyce isn’t fooled. His complete lack of interest is an indicator of the honesty the lawyers are showing. His moral compass is accurate because of his nature as a character of honesty and goodness.

Ch 63

 Mr. George and his relatives are the perfect example of a fully functional family. Even though George has been gone a long time, he is welcomed with open arms back into the families good graces. This whole dynamic is much different than that of most of the other families in the book including Jarndyce, Sommerson/Dedlock, and Smallweed.

CH 64

Woodcourt, Esther, and Mr. Jarndyce have something in common. They are all delighted when they can make other people happy. Generosity is a constant and visible part of their lives. From Jarndyce building them a house, to Esther helping Jo, and finally to Woodcourt charging nothing for his services as a doctor to the poor, they are united in this characteristic.

CH 65

The birds of Miss Flite are set free. This is probably one of the most exciting, inspirational, and happy moments of the entire book. The evil the Jarndyce case has wrought upon anyone and everyone connected to it is over. No longer can it influence lives or take Hope (the bird) away from people. This, if nothing else, constitutes a happy ending for many in the book.

CH 66

Sir Dedlock, although in ill health, has a relatively happy ending. Despite the scorch on the family honor, it is clear he loved Lady Dedlock. Frequently visiting the family mausoleum, he still mourns her. His genuine innocence regarding the poor population makes him just ignorant, not evil. Dickens reflects this in Dedlock’s ending. He doesn’t die, but he does lead a far lesser life.

Ch 67

Everything on the inside matter, appearances are trifling. That is Esther’s final message to us in her last recounting of her tale.