| What news do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report that pleases Claudius? | They told him that Hamlet wanted to see the play with him |
| What reason does Ophelia give for returning Hamlet’s presents? | Gifts have no meaning if the person giving them is no longer niceAlso that they broke up |
| “We are oft to blame in this/Tis too much proved, that with devotion’s visage/ and pious actions we do sugar o’er/ the devil himself.” | Polonius to OpheliaSaying that by acting holy/pious you can cover up bad deeds, even the devil |
| Why is Claudius burdened by Polonius’s statement? | He knows that he killed his brother, and is guilty, and he is trying to cover it upIt shows his guilty conscience |
| In Hamlet’s soliloquy, he seemed to embrace the idea of suicide. What changed his mind? | He does not know what will come after lifeHe has a fear of the unknown/fear of the afterlife |
| In his encounter with Ophelia, how does Hamlet demonstrate his belief that women are weak? | -Dishonest by painting their faces with makeup-She should go to a nunnery-Women make men into monsters-She also lied to him (when he asks where Polonius is) |
| At what point does Hamlet become aware that their conversation is being overheard and what is his reaction? | He asks where her father is and she says at home |
| What remark does Hamlet make that could be taken as a warning to Claudius? | He says that he is revengeful, proud, ambitiousAlso when he is talking about marriage and says that all but one should survive |
| How do Claudius and Polonius differ in their interpretation of Hamlet’s treatment of Ophelia? | Claudius says he is not in love, not truly mad and that he is dangerous to himPolonius still thinks he is love sick |
| What does Claudius wish to do with Hamlet since he is confused? Why? | Send him to England to “get money” and clear his headHe will probably have him killed there |
| What does Polonius say Hamlet should do after the play? | He says that Hamlet should go speak with his mother and Polonius will spy on him again |
| What is Horatio’s assignment during the play? | He is supposed to watch the king and see how he reacts to the play |
| What did the actors perform before the actual play? | A dumb show (prologue) where they show what happens during the play |
| What is the name of what they perform? | The Mouse Trap |
| How does Hamlet treat Ophelia as they sit together at the play? | He is flirting with her and being weird/strange. He is harassing her and making her uncomfortable |
| “The lady doth protest too much, me thinks” | Gertrude to HamletThe lady in the play was protesting too much on leaving the king. she sees what she was doing and is embarrassed |
| How does King Claudius react to the plot of the play? | He is shockedImmediately after the death, he stops the play and leaves |
| What point is Hamlet trying to make by forcing Guildenstern to play a recorder? | Since he cannot play something as simple as a recorder, he definitely can’t expect to play Hamlet |
| What is Hamlet’s mood at the end of the scene? | Angry because he does not want to actually hurt his momHe knows he needs to be forceful but not actually agree with his actions |
| Where is Hamlet being sent? | England |
| How do you know Rosencrantz and Guildenstern support the King’s decision to send Hamlet away? | They say how the would rather keep the king safe; therefore keeping all the people he oversees safe too |
| What does Polonius intend to do while Hamlet is meeting with his mother? | He wants to spy on them and see what Hamlet says/does |
| Why does Claudius have such difficulty trying to pray? | He knows that he needs to come clean but cannot do it because he loves his earthly goods too much (ambition, position, queen) |
| Why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudius when he has the opportunity? | He thinks that since Claudius is confessing/praying that he will go right to heaven –> when Claudius killed the other Hamlet, he didn’t have the chance to confess his sins |
| Why is this scene an example of irony? | Hamlet finally had the chance to kill Claudius but didn’t because he thought Claudius was praying.It’s ironic because Claudius was not actually praying/his sins were not forgiven |
| What causes Gertrude to cry for help when speaking to Hamlet? | Hamlet is frightening her because he threw her in the bed and she thinks he may kill her |
| What happens after this? | A voice from behind the curtain calls for helpHamlet, thinking it is Claudius, strikes through the curtain with his sword, killing Polonius instead |
| In holding up a metaphorical mirror to his mother, what faults does Hamlet force her to see? | That she moved on too quickly and made many mistakes –> like her incest marriage |
| Why does the ghost make a reappearance? | Hamlet is straying from the original plan. He is there to remind him of what he needs to do |
| Why does Gertrude believe Hamlet to be mad? | She does not see the ghost that he is talking about |
| What two requests does Hamlet make of his mother? | 1. Do not tell Claudius that he is sane2. Don’t take Claudius’ side/sleep in bed with him |
| What indication is there that Hamlet intends to act aggressively from now on | He says “I must be cruel only to be kind” |
| “Madness in good ones must not unwatched go” | Claudius to PoloniusHamlet’s “madness” is suspicous and needs to be watched/dealt with |
| “Oh good Horatio, I’ll take the ghost word for a thousand pounds. Didst perceive?” | Hamlet to HoratioHe’ll bet that the ghost is telling the truth; he trust that it’s right |
| “Oh heart, lose not thy nature, let not ever the soul of Nero enter this firm bosom. Let me be cruel, not unnatural. I will speak daggers to her, but use none” | Hamlet to himselfHe does not want to actually turn into an awful person to his motherHis actions aren’t who he is |
| “Oh, shame! Where is thy blush?” | Hamlet to GertrudeHe is saying that his mom and uncle are not shameful for their relationship, and they don’t feel guilty |
| “Oh Hamlet, speak no more. Thou turnst mine eyes into my very soul, and there I see such black and brained spots as will not leave their tinct” | Gertrude to HamletShe sees the errors of her ways; She sees into her actions now and realizes her mistakes |
| “I must be cruel only to be kind” | Hamlet to himselfHe needs to still be rude to his mom in order to do what he needs to do |
hamlet act 3 study guide
August 14, 2019