1. HAMLET ACT III CLOSE READING WORK

2. 1: THE ONE EVERYBODY KNOWS Revisit Hamlet’s soliloquy in Act III, sc. i (lines 64- 98). Translate his thoughts into plain English in 4-5 bullet points. How does this soliloquy reflect the theme of Action vs. Inaction?

3. 2: REACTIONS TO HAMLET Revisit Ophelia’s and Claudius’s responses after Hamlet leaves during Act III, sc. i (lines 163-189). Translate their thoughts into plain English in 4-5 bullet points. What do their reactions to Hamlet’s behavior tell you about them, and about how they feel about Hamlet?

4. 3: LET’S GIVE CLAUDIUS A TURN Revisit Claudius’s soliloquy in Act III, sc. iii (lines 40-76). Translate his thoughts into plain English in 4-5 bullet points. What does this tell you about Claudius?

5. 4: HAMLET’S REPLY Revisit Hamlet’s soliloquy in Act III, sc. iii (lines 77-101). Translate his thoughts into plain English in 4-5 bullet points. What do you make of Hamlet’s reasoning here? What do you think is the real reason for his continued hesitation to act?

6. 5: FIGHT WITH MOM Revisit Hamlet’s words to his mother in Act III, sc. iv (lines 63-98). Translate his thoughts into plain English in 4-5 bullet points.