Act III – Hamlet

“To be or not to be”

Self destruction or murderous revenge?

• IIIi – Ellsinore

• Ros and Guild report

• King and Polonius set up Ophelia so they can secretly observe and listen

• “To be or not to be” soliloquy – 1. What’s his answer to the “question?” Explain the reasoning behind his conclusion. (one paragraph needed)

IIIi continued

• Hamlet/Ophelia confrontation• He denies he ever sent love notes• “Get thee to a nunnery”• Everyone thinks he’s nuts but the king thinks

there’s a cause of it – not “love”• King decides to send him off to England• Polonius still thinks it’s love• Polonius wants to listen in on Hamlet/Mother

conversation

IIIii

• Hamlet tutors players on how to act• Hamlet tells Horatio to watch the king during the

play and see if he shows guilt. Horatio knows about the murder! (…which I have told thee, of my father’s death)

• Reference to Julius Caesar – 2. Where?• Hamlet – Ophelia 3. In what way is he rude to

her?• The Play• “The lady doth protest too much”• 4. The King’s reaction?

IIIii continued

• Horatio and Hamlet compare observations• 5. Their conclusion?• Ros and Guild summon Hamlet to his mother

(she’s upset and so is the King)• Polonius summons Hamlet to mother, too• All exit except Hamlet• I’m ready! (“Now I could drink hot blood And do

such bitterness as the day Would quake to look on)

• “But, first I’ll talk with Mom.”

IIIiii

• King sends Ros and Guild to England with Hamlet

• Polonius off to listen in on Hamlet and his mother

• King, guilt ridden, kneels to pray• Hamlet, with opportunity to kill, decides not to.

6. Why?• Hamlet leaves• King gets up and leaves 7. Why has he stopped

doing what he was doing?

IIIiv

• Gertrude’s room

• Polonius hiding behind curtain 8. Why?

• Hamlet and Queen argue

• Polonius shouts in fear; Hamlet kills Polonius 9. Who does he think Polonius is?

• Argument continues

• Ghost appears 10. His request?