Shakespeare
Hamlet Study Guide
Hoffman
Name:
Act III
Scene 1
1. What instructions is Ophelia given at the beginning of this scene?
A.
2.
How is Hamlet’s harsh treatment of Ophelia in this scene related to his earlier statement
concerning Gertrude, “Frailty, thy name is woman”?
A.
3. In what way is Ophelia already corrupted by the world of Elsinore?
A.
4. Explain what Hamlet means in line 75 " when we have shuffled off this mortal coil."
A.
5. According to the "to be or not to be" speech, list two reasons why Hamlet considers suicide.
A.
B.
6. What does the king decide to do with Hamlet in lines 176-189? what is his fear?
A.
B.
7. What does Polonius plan to do in lines 190-201?
A.
Scene 2
1. What does Hamlet instruct Horatio to do before the play? What does he admire Horatio?
A.
B.
2. Describe Hamlet's behavior at the play. How does he speak to his mother, uncle, Polonius, and
Ophelia?
A.
B.
3. The play-within-a-play serves an important function in the plot because it allows Hamlet to obtain
evidence of Claudius’s guilt. How might the play also be related to the motif of false appearance?
A.
4. Explain why Hamlet compares himself to a musical pipe. Think about how Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern are treating him. (lines 370-402)
A.
5. Explain Hamlets feelings in lines 419-432. How is this soliloquy different from others?
A.
B.
Scene 3
1. Read the king's soliloquy. Is he sorry he killed his brother? What would he have done in order to
repent? Explain his prayer.
A.
B.
C.
2. What reason does Hamlet give for not killing Claudius when he spies him at prayer? What is
ironic about the assumption Hamlet makes? Do you think Hamlet may have another reason for
not seizing this opportunity? Explain.
A.
B.
C.
Scene 4
1. What is the setting of Act 3 Scene 4? Which four characters are present?
A.
B.
2. Why does the ghost reappear? (lines 126-131)
A.
3. What does Hamlet explain to his mother about his madness? (lines203-218)
A.
4. What two things does Hamlet command his mother not to do?
A.
B.
5. What are Gertrude’s emotions in this scene? Do you think she is an evil character? Explain.
A.
B.