Act 3 Notes

Can no longer pretend he cares for Hamlet Wants to send him to England under the

guise that Hamlet is dangerous to the state

Cannot pray/ feels guilt / affected by the playCompares himself to CainCannot part with the “effects for which [he]

did murder” (the crown and Gertrude) Redemption is not an option – resigns

himself to play out these events as he must on earth

“My words fly up, my thoughts remain below: Words without thoughts never to heaven go.”

Cares whether Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have raised Hamlet’s spirits (not about their discoveries of his secrets) She is a caring mother – wants to know how

Hamlet received them Irony and suppressed guilt: The play within

the play “The lady doth protest too much methinks”

The theatre has held a mirror up to Gertrude’s nature – Reduced to anguish, guilt, then shock – “What

should I do” Virginal queen - redemption

Reporting of Hamlet’s “crafty madness”Sycophantic / obsequious – later parasitic

references (sc. 3 – “to keep those many bodies safe that live and feed upon your majesty”)

Played like a Pipe: Hamlet once again puts them in their place

– they are no match for his intellect – in fact, their attempts are insulting to him

They will accompany Hamlet to England- predictions??

Caught in the middle:Must obey her father but cares for Hamlet

Bears Hamlet’s insults with grace – reflects on his former person (before his father’s death)

“O! woe is me” Matches Hamlet pun for pun during the

play within a play (defensive, callused, or very impressively rises above – she is oddly composed)

We do not see her in Act 3, sc. 3-4.

Schemes, plots, spies, gossips – Sycophantic – tries to win the king’s approval –

further alienates Hamlet and Ophelia Does not understand Hamlet’s lunacy – blames

it on scorned love for lack of a better option “I did enact Julius Caesar”

Polonius is a good actor, but not as good as he thinks – can’t fool Hamlet

Foreshadows his death Cannot answer Hamlet’s riddles – believes

he is safest to agree with him (the clouds) His nosy interfering leads to his death:

“Thou wretched, rash, intruding fool, farewell!”

“To Be or Not To Be”Meditative and wearyHas given up love and any hope for a futureCommon plight of all peopleMight be contemplating the choice b/t

suffering and taking action against itPossible that he is contemplating suicide –

but considers it a bad option since we cannot know what lies ahead

Is it our moral duty to endure evil passively or is it our duty to right wrongs?

Wounded by Love:Ophelia has rejected him and lied to himHe only trusts Horatio at this pointAll women to him are false (make-up) like

chameleons – his conversation with Ophelia rings of his feelings toward Gertrude

The Stage: His Comfort ZoneFeels comfortable and happy directing the

players – also realizes the gravity of what’s at stake - they must get it right

Mania – The play within a playHamlet is cruel, hysterical, manic –

adrenaline

Success: Convinced of Claudius’ guilt Silences Guildenstern: “Call me what instrument

you will, though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me”

A new strain of willful cruelty replaces his gentle, reflective side

Saves Claudius from death – reserves him for hell

Conversation with mom: sexually explicit – holds the mirror up to her Is redirected by the ghost Tells Gertrude not to ignore her guilty

conscience by telling herself that Hamlet’s mad

Tells Gertrude to “throw away the worser part of it (her heart) and live the purer with the other half”

Tells her to stop sleeping with Claudius and not to divulge what Hamlet has said to her

“Marshal me to the knavery”Take me to the villainy – suspects an attempt

will be made on his life“I will delve one yard below their mines, and

blow them at the moon.” Is ready to take on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern –

and Claudius