Hamlet Video Summary - Act 3 - Schooling Online

Summary

In this dramatic act, Claudius enlists Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to uncover Hamlet's erratic behavior, suspecting more than just love for Ophelia. Hamlet, in a fit of madness, harshly confronts Ophelia, leading Polonius and Claudius to devise further schemes to spy on him. As Hamlet's play-within-a-play exposes Claudius's guilt, leading to Polonius's tragic end, the stage is set for escalating conflict and revenge. The act concludes with the ghost's reappearance, urging Hamlet to temper his actions, while the royal court descends into chaos.

Takeaways

• 👑 Claudius is suspicious of Hamlet's behavior and enlists Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on him.
• 🎭 Hamlet is excited about the play 'The Murder of Gonzago,' which he believes will reveal Claudius's guilt.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Polonius and Claudius plan to eavesdrop on Hamlet and Ophelia to uncover the cause of Hamlet's madness.
• 💔 Hamlet harshly rejects Ophelia's love, causing her great distress and confusion.
• 🔍 Polonius and Claudius doubt that love is the cause of Hamlet's erratic behavior and plan further spying.
• 🎭 The play within the play is a strategic move by Hamlet to expose Claudius's guilt, which seems to work as Claudius reacts strongly.
• 🗣️ Hamlet instructs the players to act naturally, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in performance.
• 🙏 Claudius, feeling threatened, tries to pray but is unable to repent for his sins, revealing his lack of remorse.
• ⚔️ Hamlet hesitates to kill Claudius while he is praying, fearing it would send him to heaven.
• 🔪 In a tragic misunderstanding, Hamlet kills Polonius, thinking it's Claudius, further complicating the plot.

Q & A

What is the main concern of Claudius regarding Hamlet at the beginning of the act?

Claudius is concerned about Hamlet's sanity and wants to find out the true cause of his behavior, as he doesn't believe it's just love for Ophelia.

Why are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern excited about the play 'The Murder of Gonzago'?

They are excited because they believe the play might reveal Hamlet's true thoughts and expose his feelings towards Claudius.

What is Polonius's role in the plan to spy on Hamlet?

Polonius is to hide with Claudius to observe Hamlet's interaction with Ophelia and to determine the cause of Hamlet's odd behavior.

How does Hamlet react when he encounters Ophelia?

Hamlet becomes harsh and tells Ophelia to keep the gifts she is trying to return, claiming he never gave them to her and that he never loved her.

What is Claudius's reaction to the play 'The Murder of Gonzago'?

Claudius looks horrified during the play and rushes out of the room, indicating that the play has hit too close to home regarding his guilt over the murder of Hamlet's father.

What does Hamlet instruct the players to do in their performance?

Hamlet instructs the players to act as naturally and realistically as possible, emphasizing the importance of authenticity in their performance.

Why does Hamlet not kill Claudius when he has the chance during Claudius's prayer?

Hamlet decides against killing Claudius while he is praying because he believes that Claudius would go straight to heaven, and Hamlet does not want him to enjoy an eternity in paradise.

What is Polonius's fate during his attempt to spy on Hamlet and Gertrude?

Polonius is accidentally killed by Hamlet, who stabs him while he is hiding behind the Arras, thinking it is Claudius.

How does the ghost of Hamlet's father react to the events unfolding in the act?

The ghost appears again to Hamlet, urging him to be kinder to his mother, Gertrude, and indicating that the situation is escalating.

What is the overall tone and expectation set by the end of the act as described in the script?

The tone is dramatic and tense, with an expectation that the situation will not end well for any of the characters involved.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 'Hamlet' Act Analysis

This paragraph introduces a complex and dramatic scene from Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'. Claudius seeks information about Hamlet's state of mind from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who report that Hamlet is distracted but conceals his true thoughts. Hamlet's excitement for the play 'The Murder of Gonzago' is noted. Claudius, unconvinced by the idea that Hamlet's behavior stems from love, plans to spy on him and Ophelia. Polonius and Claudius hide to observe Hamlet's interaction with Ophelia, which turns out to be a dramatic confrontation where Hamlet denies ever loving her. This leads to further confusion and distress for Ophelia. Polonius and Claudius continue to doubt that love is the cause of Hamlet's behavior and plan more spying. Hamlet, in a more composed state, instructs actors on their performance, aiming for realism. The play's performance at the royal court is a pivotal moment where Claudius's reaction confirms Hamlet's suspicions about his uncle's guilt. Hamlet's decision to not kill Claudius during prayer is explained, and the paragraph ends with Polonius's failed spying attempt, leading to his death by Hamlet's hand.

Keywords

💡Concentration

Concentration refers to the ability to focus one's attention on a particular task or subject. In the context of the video, it is essential for understanding the complex and dramatic plot of 'Hamlet.' The script mentions that the audience should concentrate to follow the intricate web of events and character motivations, such as Claudius' schemes and Hamlet's internal struggles.

💡Distraction

Distraction is a state of being diverted from one's usual thoughts or activities. In the script, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report to Claudius that Hamlet is 'distracted,' suggesting that he is preoccupied or troubled, which is a key to understanding his erratic behavior and the mystery surrounding his actions.

💡Spying

Spying involves secretly observing or gathering information about someone. In the video, Claudius and Polonius engage in spying to uncover the truth behind Hamlet's actions. This keyword is central to the theme of deception and the lengths characters will go to understand one another's true intentions, as seen in their hidden observations of Hamlet and Ophelia.

💡Love

Love is a strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties. The script explores the theme of love, particularly in the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia. Hamlet's harsh rejection of Ophelia, claiming he never loved her, is a pivotal moment that contributes to the tragic nature of the play.

💡Craziness

Craziness, or madness, is a state of mind characterized by irrational behavior or thought processes. The script suggests that Claudius and Polonius doubt that love is the cause of Hamlet's 'craziness,' indicating the characters' struggle to comprehend Hamlet's actions and the play's exploration of sanity versus insanity.

💡Acting

Acting is the art of performing by assuming a character or telling a story. Hamlet's interaction with the players and his direction for them to be 'as real and natural as possible' highlight the significance of acting within the play. The scripted play within the play serves as a device for Hamlet to observe Claudius' reaction and confirm his suspicions.

💡Trap

A trap is a device or plan intended to catch or ensnare someone. Hamlet's plan to trap Claudius using the play is a central plot point in the script. It illustrates Hamlet's strategic thinking and his quest for revenge, which is a driving force behind the play's main narrative.

💡Anger

Anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. The script mentions that Claudius and Gertrude are 'very angry' with Hamlet, which underscores the tension and conflict within the royal family and contributes to the dramatic tension of the play.

💡Prayer

Prayer is the act of supplicating or expressing one's thoughts or desires to a deity. Claudius' attempt to pray and his inability to repent for his sins are pivotal moments in the script. They reveal his internal conflict and the moral complexity of his character, as well as setting the stage for Hamlet's decision not to kill him while he prays.

💡Atonement

Atonement is the act of making amends or reparation for a wrong or injury. Hamlet's desire to avenge his father's death is a central theme in the play. The script alludes to this when Hamlet considers killing Claudius but decides to wait, indicating the complexity of his quest for justice and the moral dilemmas he faces.

💡Ghost

A ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person, believed to appear to the living. The appearance of Hamlet's father's ghost is a key element in the script, as it sets the stage for Hamlet's quest for revenge and adds a supernatural element to the play. The ghost's reappearance to advise Hamlet further emphasizes the supernatural influence on the characters' actions.

Highlights

Claudius inquires about Hamlet's state of mind from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Hamlet's cleverness in concealing his true thoughts is noted.

Hamlet's excitement for the play 'The Murder of Gonzago' is mentioned.

Claudius dismisses the court to prepare for spying on Hamlet and Ophelia.

Polonius and Claudius plan to observe Hamlet's interaction with Ophelia.

Ophelia agrees to her father's plan, trusting his judgment.

Hamlet's existential contemplation 'To be or not to be' is highlighted.

Hamlet confronts Ophelia, rejecting her returned gifts and professing no love.

Ophelia's confusion and distress in response to Hamlet's harsh words.

Claudius and Polonius doubt love as the cause of Hamlet's behavior.

A new spying plan is devised, with Polonius hiding in Gertrude's room.

Hamlet's direction to the players emphasizes naturalism in acting.

Claudius's horrified reaction during the play 'The Murder of Gonzago'.

Hamlet's confirmation of the ghost's words after Claudius's reaction.

Claudius orders Hamlet's exile to England via Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Claudius's soliloquy reveals his guilt and lack of remorse.

Hamlet's decision to postpone killing Claudius to avoid sending him to heaven.

Polonius's death by Hamlet's sword behind the arras.

The ghost's reappearance, advising Hamlet to be kinder to Gertrude.

Gertrude's inability to see the ghost and her belief in Hamlet's madness.

The foreboding conclusion that the situation will not end well.

Transcripts

this act is pretty complicated and dramatic  so make sure you're concentrating it begins  

with Claudius asking Rosencrantz and gildenstern  what they've managed to find out about Hamlet they  

tell the court that Hamlet is distracted but they  can't tell why because he's so clever at hiding  

his true thoughts however they do know that he is  super excited for this play the murder of gonzago  

Claudius asks everyone except for Polonius to  leave as he is secretly getting ready to spy  

on Hamlet and Ophelia Claudius doesn't buy  the excuse that Hamlet is just lovesick so  

he is Keen to see what is really going on in  his nephew's mind Polonius tells Ophelia that  

Hamlet is about to arrive and that he and  Claudius will be hiding to see what happens  

Ophelia believes that her dad knows best  so she agrees to go along with the plan

Hamlet enters wondering to be or not to be when  he sees Ophelia the drama begins he tells her to  

keep all the gifts she is trying to return  to him because well he never gave her any  

Ophelia is super confused and becomes distraught  when Hamlet goes even further and tells her that  

he never loved her at all harsh he starts to say  some pretty terrible things to her and demands  

to know where Polonius is when Ophelia lies and  says her father is at home Hamlet flips out and  

yells at her then storms out poorophelia is  distraught Polonius and Claudius don't think  

that love is the cause of Hamlet's craziness and  plan another round of spying to figure it out  

this time Polonius will hide in Gertrude's  room and see what she can draw out of her son  

later on Hamlet seems to have recovered his senses  and instructs the players on how they should act  

he tells them that he wants them to  be as real and natural as possible

while the Royal Court assembles to watch the  play Hamlet talks to Horatio and reveals his  

plan to trap Claudius when the players begin to  act out the scene that Hamlet invented for them  

Claudius looks horrified and rushes out of the  room Hamlet tells Horatio that he is now convinced  

that everything the ghost said is true Rosencrantz  and Guildenstern tell Hamlet that Claudius and  

Gertrude are very angry with him and that he is to  go and see his mother in her Chambers immediately

Claudius is feeling very threatened by Hamlet  

so he tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern  to take Hamlet away to England

when he is alone Claudius tries to pray and  admits to killing his brother he also reveals  

that he does not feel sorry for the terrible  things that he has done while Claudius is deep  

in prayer Hamlet creeps up behind him hoping  to kill him and avenge his father however he  

realizes that someone killed while praying will  go straight to heaven and he certainly doesn't  

want Claudius to enjoy an eternity in Paradise  he decides to wait and deal with Claudius later

elsewhere Polonius is hidden behind a huge  tapestry called an Aris in Gertrude's room  

ready to spy on Hamlet when Hamlet arrives  he and Gertrude get into a huge argument and  

Hamlet suspects Claudius is spying on him  from behind the Arris he draws his sword  

stabs and is frustrated to find that he has  killed Polonius not Claudius as he suspected

the ghost appears again to Hamlet and tells him  to be kinder to his mother Gertrude can't see  

The Ghost and thinks that Hamlet is definitely  mad now Hamlet leaves to find somewhere to hide  

polonius's Body by now we know for certain that  none of this can end well for anyone [Music]

we hope you enjoyed this  schooling online production  

foreign for more easy lessons on  Hamlet check out our summary of act 4.