Hamlet
Act III – Review
Respond to the following questions. Be sure to cite or quote specific lines to support
your analysis.
1. During Hamlet’s encounter with Ophelia, he moves in a crescendo from quiet
courtesy to savage, almost hysterical fury. Trace the stages of this crescendo.
Which of Ophelia’s remarks seem to contribute to it the most? What is her state
at the scene’s end?
2. Discuss two of Hamlet’s remarks during his “To be, or not to be” soliloquy that
relate to disillusionments we have already seen him struggling with in the first
soliloquy.
3. Prior to the play-within-the-play scene, Hamlet confides in Horatio. He almost
embarrasses himself with his respect and appreciation for Horatio. Is Hamlet a
slave to passion? Explain.
4. What does Hamlet call the play in scene two? What parallels are there between
the play-within-the-play and this play itself? How does this event develop the
appearance vs. reality (“seems vs. the “is”) motif or theme?
5. Considering the purpose for which Gertrude has apparently called Hamlet to her
chamber, what is ironic (or disturbing) about the way the scene develops when he
gets there?
6. Why does the ghost appear during this scene? Since the ghost is certainly real
and not a creation of Hamlet’s imagination (see Act I), what significance might
there be in the fact that Gertrude cannot hear or see the ghost?
7. This act deals again and again with the difficulty of breaking through the
appearance and/or surface of individuals and getting to their inner reality – to the
truth. Briefly discuss this in relationship to the act as a whole.
8. How does Shakespeare illuminate Hamlet’s obvious struggles and concerns with
“acting too quickly” or “thinking too much” in this scene?
9. How would you assess Hamlet’s mental state at the conclusion of this act?
10. How would you characterize Gertrude at the conclusion of Hamlet’s encounter
with her?