Sunday, March 1, 2015

Hamlet Act III

Act III
1. Does Hamlet behave differently toward Ophelia than Polonius and Laertes? How does he treat her during the “Mousetrap” play that the players perform?
He acts towards her in a joking, dirty manner as opposed to a slighter respectful way. He makes several inappropriate comments towards Ophelia.
2. What is the point of the play Hamlet calls “The Mousetrap” (The Murder of Gonzago)? What are the differences between this version of a king’s murder and that which we have been told of in Hamlet?
It is to observe how Claudius reacts- is he acts weirdly, then Hamlet assumes that his conscience will be acting upon him. In both scenarios there is a poisoning of the king through the ear while he is sleeping. However, King Hamlet is murdered by his brother while the king in Mousetrap is murdered by his nephew.

3. At the end of 3.2, Hamlet “could drink hot blood” (360) as he goes off to visit his mother. On the way, he finds the King in prayer. Why does he not slay him in this moment (3.3.77 ff.)?
Claudius is confessing his sins, which to Hamlet is a stairway to heaven. Hamlet wants to catch him in a sinful act so when he is killed, he will go to Hell.

4. What is the intended purpose of Hamlet’s visit to his mother’s chamber? How does he turn the tables on her? What instructions does he give to her?
His mother wanted to speak to him after how he acted at the play. However, he then turns on her questioning how it is possible that she married so soon after his father’s death. He also exclaimed how she would go to a god-like father like his to his uncle of little similarity. He insisted that she wouldn’t go to bed with him.

5. What happens to Polonius during the conversation between Hamlet and Gertrude? Who else barges in on their conversation?
Polonius is killed by Hamlet through the curtain. The ghost intrudes, but he is only seen by Hamlet.
6. At the end of act 3, Hamlet reminds his mother that he has been sent on a foreign mission by the King (this resolution comes in 3.1) Where is he going? Why does Hamlet think he is being sent away?

He is going to England. Hamlet is led to believe he is going to receive money that is owed to them.

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