Act 3 Notes

Summary:
In scene 1 Claudius and Polonius put there plan into action by leaving Ophelia alone and spying to see how Hamlet reacts to being around her. Hamlet talks about the rights and wrongs of death and living a life you don't want to. Then he tells Ophelia that he doesn't love her and that all women are heartless whores.

In scene 2 the players preform a play that strangely relates to Hamlet's mother and father. But in the middle of the play, when they start talking about the king being killed by poison in his ears Claudius runs out. When Hamlet is talking to his friends he receives word that his mom wants to chat with him soon.

In scene 3 Claudius is praying and confessing his sins when Hamlet walks in ready with his sword to kill him, but then he realizes that if he dies at this moment he will be sent to heaven, so he decided to wait until Claudius is doing something completely sinful then kill him before he has a chance to ask for forgiveness, just like his father died.

In scene 4 when Hamlet goes to talk to his mother he notices that Polinious is behind the tapestry and kills him with his sword. Then once Hamlet starts giving his mother hell the ghost appears and Hamlet realizes that his mother cannot see him. Then in the end Hamlet asks his mother to stay way from his uncles bed tonight and not to fall into his trap because once you say no once, it becomes easier the next time and the next and the next.

Themes:
Redemption Questions-
1. King Hamlet was murdered and he never got a chance to confess his sins.
2. Because Claudius is praying and begging for mercy, if Hamlet kills him now then he will go to heaven, he wants him to die while he's living a sin and has no chance to ask for forgiveness.

Examples-
Friendship/Loyalty- Hamlets friends are going with him to England
Revenge- Hamlet plans to kill Claudius.
Regret- Gertrude's obvious pain when Hamlet is confronting her.
Betrayal- During the play when the wife makes her promise to her husband (relates to Hamlet's parents)