“Hamlet” – Act 3, scene 1
1. Who are trying to help set up Claudius? What do they do to try to push Claudius
toward the actors performing again on that particular evening?
*R&G
*They tell the king and queen how much Hamlet loves the plays that the actors portray
2. What is Claudius’s plan to try to watch to see if Hamlet is really mad?
He and Polonius will spy on Hamlet when he meets up with Ophelia…
3. What is Hamlet heard to be contemplating? Name the famous quote that fits here. Why
is he seemingly afraid to commit suicide?
*Suicide
*”To be or not to be: that is the question”
* What lies after death
4. What does Ophelia bring to Hamlet? How does he react? What is his advice to
Ophelia?
*Gifts he has given her
* Denies having given her anything and he says he has loved Ophelia once and never
loved her at all (Contradiction)
*Enter a nunnery where she can become a breeder of sinners.
5. How does Hamlet show a blatant lack of acception for women?
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Says they behave like monsters and paint their faces to be more beautiful than they
really are.
6. What is Hamlet’s point of view now about women and marriage? What does Ophelia
think now about Hamlet’s mental state?
* Wants to end all marriages
* His noble mind has now lapsed into madness
7. What is Claudius’s philosophy about Hamlet’s madness now that he has seen his
meeting with Ophelia?
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Thinks his behavior is not caused by love for Ophelia.
Thinks his mind is on something inside his soul other than Ophelia
8. Where will Claudius send Hamlet? Why?
England – change of scenery mat help him relax.
9. Where does Polonius ask Claudius to sendd Hamlet after the play? Why?
Gertrude’s chamber…Spy again and see if he is really mad with love
10. How do you as part of an audience interpret “To be or not to be…”?
Something behind his words or something in his subconscious.
11. What does this entire scene account imply about Hamlet?
Contemplation of suicide. May not have the courage to do it. He never refers to
himself as in pain or tell why he wishes to kill himself.
12. With “To be or not to be…” he encourages debate. What is his take on suicide?
Everyone would do it if they were sure of the after-life – Seems he is trying to convince
an imaginary listener.
13. What is the major dramatic irony associated with Hamlet?

Hamlet is only acting crazy as he looks at plotting his revenge for his father’s death
against Claudius.
14. Why might Hamlet’s saying the opposite of what he means in order to seem like he has
gone or is going crazy, not be logical?
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It doesn’t make Claudius suspect him less
He seems more emotionally withdrawn
Bitter towards Ophelia and women in general is self-destructive.
His intensity makes it appear as though it is not totally fake