Name(s): _______________________________________
Hamlet Act 3 Viewing Assignment
Due Date: _______________________________
Total Value: 35 Marks
General Instructions: As you watch your fellow classmates perform the scenes from Act 3, try to
answer these questions based on their performance. You can write your answers right on this sheet. If
you don’t get all of the answers from the presentation, we will be watching Act 3 on the movie version
soon. You may work on this in pairs or in groups of three if it would help to discuss your responses.
Act 3, Scene 1
1. Summarize the meaning of Hamlet’s famous soliloquy from this scene: (3) __________________
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2. What is the double meaning of Hamlet’s famous line “Get thee to a nunnery.” Why do you think he
says this? (3) _________________________________________________________________
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3. What does Ophelia assume after her meeting with Hamlet? Does King Claudius come to the same
conclusion as Ophelia? (2) _________________________________________________________
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Act 3, Scene 2
1. How does Hamlet demonstrate his trust for Horatio in this scene? (1) _______________________
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2. How does Hamlet demonstrate his mistrust for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in this scene? (1)
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3. Describe Hamlet’s feelings toward women in general and Gertrude and Ophelia in particular in this
scene. Give an example that demonstrates his feelings. (2) _______________________________
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4. Summarize the content of the play The Murder of Gonzago. (2) ___________________________
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5. What does Hamlet tell the King the play is called? How is this symbolic? (2) ________________
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6. Discuss King Claudius’ reaction to the play. What is Hamlet now convinced of? (2) ___________
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7. How does Hamlet treat Rosencrantz and Guildenstern at the end of this scene? Why? (2) _______
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8. What is Hamlet’s plan at the end of the scene? (1) ______________________________________
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Act 3, Scene 3
1. What does the King order at the start of this scene? Why do you think he does this? (2) __________
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2. What is Claudius so upset about? Summarize his soliloquy. (3) _____________________________
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3. Hamlet has a great opportunity to enact his revenge in this scene. What causes him to once again
procrastinate? Explain your response. (1) _______________________________________________
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Act 3, Scene 4
1. Why does Polonius hide behind the curtains in Gertrude’s room? (1) _________________________
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2. What happens to Polonius? What does Hamlet’s reaction say about his state of mind? (2) ________
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3. Describe the heated argument between Hamlet and his mother. What does he accuse her of? How
does she react? (2) _________________________________________________________________
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4. Why does Hamlet think the ghost reappears in this scene? Why has it actually reappeared? (2) ____
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5. What does Hamlet ask his mother not to do again? (1) _____________________________________
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