HAMLET Questions Act III

HAMLET – Questions Act III

3.1 1. How much have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern learned from/about Hamlet?

2. What is so important about Claudius’ aside before Hamlet enters?

3. Read Hamlet's fourth soliloquy carefully. How is this soliloquy different from the first two? Think about the way Hamlet's mind works within the first two--is the same thing happening here? What is the main idea of this third soliloquy?

4. In the so-called "Nunnery scene,” do you think that Hamlet know that he's being watched? Can you find any evidence of his awareness?

5. How does Claudius respond to what he has seen and heard? What plans do he and Polonius devise for dealing with Hamlet?

3.2 1. What advice does Hamlet have for the actors? Why?

2. Why does Hamlet say he especially likes Horatio? Does Hamlet see Horatio as similar to him or different from him?

3. Look carefully at the text of the play-within-the-play. How does it reflect the issues bothering Hamlet? (Remember he wrote some of it himself.) Can you identify the lines he has had inserted? (Don't worry, nobody else can either.) Interestingly, what we see is only the first few minutes of a much longer revenge tragedy, ‘The Murder of Gonzago’. What lines would shock the intended ‘audience’ (ie. Claudius, Gertrude and the court) the most?

6. Several characters learn information from the play-within-the-play. Who are they and what have they learnt?

7. What message do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have for Hamlet? What lesson does Hamlet teach them with the recorder?

8. Read Hamlet's fifth soliloquy carefully. What is happening to Hamlet?

3.3 1. What has Claudius decided to do with Hamlet? Who will go with him?

2. Where is Polonius going?

3. What does Claudius admit in his attempt to pray? Has the play actually had an effect on him? Why can't he ask for forgiveness?

4. Why doesn't Hamlet kill Claudius when he has the chance? How is this ironic? 3.4 1. Analyze the first part of Gertrude and Hamlet’s interview. What goes wrong (even before Polonius' death)? Who controls the conversation? Why does Gertrude call for help?

2. Do you think that Gertrude knows that Claudius killed Hamlet's father? Support your claim with evidence.

3. What device does Hamlet use to force Gertrude to consider what she has done?

4. What do you think of Gertrude and Hamlet’s relationship based on this scene – and any other?

5. What does Hamlet think of his upcoming trip to England? What does he expect to do?