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.