Hamlet Act 3 Questions

Act Three Scene One

   1.       Following her chaotic and confusing conversation with Hamlet (which results in Hamlet storming off), Ophelia get her only soliloquy of the play before her father and the King re-enter the stage. Choose one quote from this short soliloquy and explain how it reflects her current state of mind. How have the events of the play affected her thoughts and mental health thus far?

Act Three Scene Two:

What follows the advice to the players conversation is the play within the play scene, which really doesn’t make sense unless you see it performed. Hamlet’s production is about to be put on and he is “that guy” in the theater who talks during the performance (he especially says some inappropriate comments to Ophelia). It gets awkward. But when he additional lines he added get performed, Claudius freaks out and leaves; thus proving that he did in fact kill his brother. Hamlet is delighted that his plan worked and he prepares to kill Claudius.

Act Three Scene Three

1. In Claudius’ first monologue the reader saw a smart, calculating politician who seemed to be in love. In this Act’s Soliloquy, the reader witnesses a much different villain. Describe Claudius’s feelings in this speech. What concerns Claudius in his soliloquy? What kind of villain is he?

2. Why does Hamlet not kill Claudius when he has the chance? Do you think this is a rational reason for not killing the King?

Act Three Scene Four:

3. How does Hamlet act after he kills Polonius? Does he seem remorseful at all? What might this tell you about his mental state?

4. What might be significant that Hamlet is the only one who sees the ghost in this scene? What might this tell us about his mental state?