ACT 3, Scene 1 - 4 Guided Questions

Act III

1. Does Hamlet behave differently toward Ophelia than Polonius and Laertes? How does he treat her during the “Mousetrap” play that the players perform?
 
No, he behaves the same. He warns her and tells her that all men are rotten. He even mentions her reputation could be ruined by a simple mistake. During the play, Hamlet is acting nice towards Ophelia. He is making sexual jokes and is at ease. 

2. What is the point of the play Hamlet calls “The Mousetrap” (The Murder of Gonzago)? What are the differences between this version of a king’s murder and that which we have been told of in Hamlet?

The poison was made from witchcraft in the play and the wife vows a eternity of sadness if she remarries.


3. At the end of 3.2, Hamlet “could drink hot blood” (360) as he goes off to visit his mother. On the way, he finds the King in prayer. Why does he not slay him in this moment (3.3.77 ff.)?


Because he would just be sending him to heaven by killing him during prayer. 

4. What is the intended purpose of Hamlet’s visit to his mother’s chamber? How does he turn the tables on her? What instructions does he give to her?

She has asked for him to come over, so Polonious can listen in on their conversation. Hamlet intends to expose the Queens inner self. He makes her reflect on her actions and what she has truly done. He intends to tell her how much a low life he considers her to be. He asks his mother to say no to sex and at least pretend to be a virtuous woman.

5. What happens to Polonius during the conversation between Hamlet and Gertrude? Who else barges in on their conversation?

Polonius is killed. The ghost barges in on the conversation. 

6. At the end of act 3, Hamlet reminds his mother that he has been sent on a foreign mission by the King (this resolution comes in 3.1) Where is he going? Why does Hamlet think he is being sent away?

He is going to England. He thinks he is being sent off to be killed. 

ACT 1, Scene 3 - 5 ACT 2, Scene 1 & 2 Guided Questions

Act I

8. What advice do both Laertes and Polonius give to Ophelia?

To be on guard towards Hamlet and that his obligations to his family outweigh his own desires. He can't just think of himself like common people do because the entire country depends on it. He also warns her to not become a target of his lust and even good girls can get a bad reputation. The main point is to stray away from Hamlet and not waste her time with him.

9. What is particularly “foul, strange, and unnatural” about King Hamlet I’s death? (see 1.5)

Hamlet's brother Claudius, who is now King, murdered Hamlet. 

10. What does Hamlet write down after seeing the ghost? Where does he write it?

He writes the ghost's commandment in his notebook. 

11. To what oath does Hamlet make Horatio and Marcellus swear?

To swear to not tell anyone what they saw or heard that night.

Act II

1. What is Polonius employing Reynaldo to do? What instructions does he give to him?

To give some money and letters to Laertes and dig up some dirt on how he's doing in Paris. 

2. What report of Hamlet’s behavior does Ophelia give to Polonius in 2.1? What
specifically does she tell him about how he was acting? What other words are used to describe Hamlet’s behavior (especially his actions) throughout these acts? When Hamlet appears in 2.2, how would you characterize his speech?

That he suddenly came into her room with no hat on his head, his shirt unbuttoned, and his stockings dirty, undone, and down around his ankles. He was pale as his undershirt, and his knees were knocking together. He then stared at her for a very long time and finally left without saying a word. His actions are described as "mad," "ecstasy of love," and "change." Hamlet's speech seems to have an alternative meaning.  

3. What news does King Claudius receive from Norway in 2.2? What is the status of the impending invasion from act 1?

That Fortinbras has been arrested and that the invasion is no longer a threat to them. Fortinbras even swears to never threaten Denmark. 

4. What speech does Hamlet ask the Player to perform in 2.2? What event in history/literature is being recounted in this speech? Who is Pyrrhus?

Hamlet asks them to perform "Twas Aeneas" tale to Dido especially the part where he spoke of Priam's slaughter. It's recounting the events of the Trojan Horse and Pyrrhus is the son of Greek hero Achilles who sought revenge for his father's death against Priam king of Trojan. 

5. In his second soliloquy (“O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I”), what is Hamlet’s response to the player’s speech? What aspect of the Player’s speech does he specifically comment on?

He feels like a lowlife for making the actor force himself to feel made up feelings. He comments on the fact that he is able to act a certain way and it isn't even real, while he's in the same circumstance and all he can do it mop around.