Act 3, Scene 1
Questions
1. Why is Claudius excited for the play? he hopes it will improve Hamlet’s mood
2. What makes Claudius send Gertrude away? he and Polonius want to spy on Hamlet’s interaction with
Ophelia
3. What does Claudius compare to a harlot’s painted cheek? his own behavior after murdering his
brother
4. According to Hamlet, what “makes us rather bear those ills we have / Than fly to others that we know
not of”? the “dread of something after death”
5. Why does Claudius decide to send Hamlet to England? Claudius fears that whatever unease is “in his
soul” will prove dangerous
6. When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report to King Claudius, what have they learned about Hamlet?
They have not learned much at all. In fact, they report that Hamlet gives nonsense answers to their
questions.
7. What is Ophelia asked to do before the play to "bait" Hamlet? Ophelia is supposed to walk around
reading a book of prayers, so that she is allowed to be alone. This way she could be caught by Hamlet.
8. Where does Hamlet suggest that Ophelia go? Hamlet suggests that Ophelia goes off to a convent.
Act 3, Scene 2
Questions
1. Why is Horatio the type of man that Hamlet keeps in his “heart’s core”? he “is not passion’s slave,”
but takes good and bad fortune “with equal thanks”
2. What does Hamlet ask Horatio to do during the play? watch Claudius’s reaction
3. According to Hamlet, the play’s prologue is as brief as what? “woman’s love”
4. Why does the play finish early? Claudius storms out of the room when the play’s king is poisoned
through the ear
5. Why is Hamlet surprised that Guildenstern can’t play the pipe? because he plays Hamlet so easily
6. Who guides the actors and tells them how to perform the play? Hamlet
7. Why does Hamlet want to watch Claudius so closely during the play? Hamlet hopes that by watching
Claudius he can determine his guilt in the murder of Hamlet's father
Act 3, Scene 3
Questions
1. What does Rosencrantz say about the power of the kingship that Claudius probably feels very
sharply? “The cease of majesty / Dies not alone; but like a gulf doth draw / What’s near it with it”
2. After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave, what does Polonius promise to do? hide in Gertrude’s
room to eavesdrop on Hamlet
3. Why doesn’t Hamlet kill Claudius when he has the chance? since Claudius is praying in that moment,
he would die with his sins forgiven
4. When would be a better time to kill Claudius? in the middle of a sinful act
5. What does Claudius admit after Hamlet leaves? that his prayers weren’t sincerely felt
6. According to Claudius, where is Hamlet going to be better off? In England. Claudius wants Hamlet out
of Denmark
7. What does Claudius admit in his soliloquy? Claudius admits to killing his brother when he is alone on
stage
8. What is Claudius doing when Hamlet enters the scene? King Claudius is praying