Plot Highlights of Hamlet Act 3
In Act 3 of Hamlet, key events unfold including Hamlet spurning Ophelia, the play within a play unveiling Claudius's guilt, Hamlet's hesitation in killing Claudius, and the tragic killing of Polonius. The plot thickens with Claudius's confession, Hamlet confronting Gertrude, and the realization of the consequences of actions taken. Themes of revenge, madness, and family dynamics are prominently displayed, setting the stage for the climax of the play.
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Presentation Transcript
Hamlet: Act 3 Scene 1 Polonius and Claudius spy on Hamlet and Ophelia as she returns the gifts he gave her. They become confused when Hamlet spurns her, telling her to go to a nunnery. Claudius concludes that the cause of Hamlet's madness is not his love for Ophelia, and decides that he should send Hamlet away to England, unless Gertrude can figure out the true cause.
Hamlet: Act 3 Scene 2 During the performance of The Murder of Gonzago, Claudius stops the action just after the scene in which poison is poured into the king's ear. Hamlet tells Horatio he is now certain that Claudius murdered his father.
Hamlet: Act 3 Scene 3 Claudius attempts to pray in church, but his guilt prevents him from doing so. Hamlet enters and readies himself to kill Claudius, but stops when he realizes that Claudius might go to heaven if he is killed while praying.
Hamlet: Act 3 Scene 4 Gertrude and Hamlet have a bitter fight in her bedchamber. When Hamlet hears a noise behind the tapestry, he stabs the intruder: it is Polonius, who dies. The ghost appears again, rebuking Hamlet for his harsh words against his mother. Gertrude, who cannot see the ghost, becomes certain that Hamlet is mad. Hamlet drags Polonius s body offstage.
Hamlet: Major Plot Points Established by Act 3 Claudius and Polonius eavesdrop when Hamlet meets Ophelia. Hamlet speaks his famous soliloquy ('To be or not to be') and rejects Ophelia, whom he had previously professed love to, thinking that she is in league with his uncle and Polonius. "Get thee to a nunnery, go, farewell. Or if thou needs must marry, marry a fool, for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them." The players perform the play-within-play which closely follows the Ghost's account of his murder by Claudius. When Claudius cuts the performance short, Hamlet takes this a proof of his guilt. He is now determined to revenge his father's death immediately. "Now could I drink hot blood / And do such bitter business as the day / Would quake to look on." Claudius confesses his crime in prayer. Hamlet finds Claudius on his knees praying but cannot bring himself to kill him there. " O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven: / It hath the primal eldest curse upon't / A brother's murder." Unable to kill Claudius, Hamlet challenges his mother about her relationship with him and admits he has been faking madness. Hearing a noise, he believes that Claudius is eavesdropping, draws a sword and kills Polonius.
