Hamlet by William Shakespeare | Act 3, Scene 3 Summary & Analysis

Summary

In Act 3, Scene 3 of Hamlet, following the staging of the play within the play, Claudius schemes to send Hamlet to England for safety, revealing his guilt and manipulative nature. Polonius hides to spy on Hamlet and Gertrude, while Claudius wrestles with his conscience, contemplating prayer and forgiveness but ultimately valuing power over redemption. Hamlet encounters Claudius in prayer, hesitates to kill him to avoid sending him to heaven, and reflects on the injustice done to his father. This scene highlights Claudius's corruption, Hamlet's moral struggle, and the tension between revenge, conscience, and the consequences of action.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Act 3, Scene 3 of Hamlet follows the aftermath of the 'Mousetrap' play, where everyone leaves the hall.
• 🤝 Rosencrantz and Guildenstern meet Claudius, who instructs them to take Hamlet to England for safety.
• 📜 Polonius reports to Claudius that Hamlet is heading to Gertrude's chambers and hides to spy on them.
• 🧐 Claudius delivers a soliloquy revealing his guilt over murdering King Hamlet and his struggle with seeking forgiveness.
• 👑 Claudius desires pardon but not if it requires giving up his crown and queen, highlighting his ambition over morality.
• ⚔️ Hamlet encounters Claudius attempting to pray, but refrains from killing him, fearing it would send Claudius to heaven.
• 💭 Claudius himself acknowledges the futility of his prayers, realizing he lacks true repentance.
• 🔍 This scene exposes Claudius as guilty, scheming, and morally conflicted, adding depth to his character.
• ⏳ Hamlet misses a key opportunity for revenge, demonstrating his hesitation and tendency to overthink action.
• 📖 Critics interpret Hamlet’s refusal to kill Claudius in prayer as either caution or another example of his indecisiveness.
• ⚖️ The scene emphasizes the themes of morality, revenge, power, and the complexity of human conscience.

Q & A

What task does Claudius assign to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Act 3, Scene 3?

Claudius instructs Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take Hamlet to England for everyone's safety, and they accept the assignment.

Why does Polonius hide in Gertrude's chambers?

Polonius hides to spy on the conversation between Hamlet and Gertrude, aiming to gather information for Claudius.

What does Claudius reveal in his soliloquy about his feelings toward the murder of King Hamlet?

Claudius reveals guilt over murdering King Hamlet and expresses a desire for forgiveness, but only if it doesn’t require giving up his crown or queen.

Why does Hamlet hesitate to kill Claudius when he finds him praying?

Hamlet fears that killing Claudius during prayer would send his soul to heaven, which Hamlet feels would be an unfair reward since Claudius did not give Hamlet's father that benefit.

What does Claudius mean when he says his prayers are useless?

Claudius means that his prayers are ineffective because he is not sincere; he wishes to retain power rather than truly repent.

How does this scene demonstrate Claudius’ internal conflict?

The scene shows Claudius struggling between his guilt and desire for salvation versus his ambition to retain the crown and queen, revealing the moral corruption behind his actions.

What is the significance of Hamlet missing the opportunity to kill Claudius?

Hamlet's hesitation highlights his moral deliberation and indecision, which is a recurring theme in the play, showing his struggle between revenge and conscience.

How do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern contribute to the plot in this scene?

They advance Claudius’ plans by agreeing to escort Hamlet to England, which sets up future conflicts and heightens Hamlet’s sense of entrapment.

What does the scene reveal about Polonius’ character?

Polonius is shown as scheming and intrusive, willing to spy on Hamlet and Gertrude to serve Claudius, which adds tension and illustrates his manipulative nature.

Which themes are highlighted in Act 3, Scene 3 of Hamlet?

The scene highlights themes of power versus morality, hesitation and revenge, appearance versus reality, and the consequences of guilt and ambition.

Why do critics consider Hamlet's refusal to kill Claudius an example of his inability to act?

Critics view it as evidence of Hamlet’s tendency to overthink and delay action, showing his internal conflict and contributing to the tragic elements of the play.

What moral dilemma does Claudius face in his soliloquy?

Claudius faces the dilemma of whether to genuinely seek forgiveness for his sins or continue clinging to power, ultimately prioritizing political ambition over spiritual redemption.