1. Hamlet Act III

2. A Guilty Conscience Claudius’ aside reveals his guilt to the audience
We may sympathize with Claudius a bit
We see that he has a conscience for Hamlet to “catch”

3. Intellect vs. Action
“To be or not to be” reveals Hamlet’s over-intellectualizing
Hamlet’s inner dialogue always ends in inaction
Honor question = regicide or just revenge?
Religious question = suicide or regicide?

4. Acting and Spying Hamlet plays the madman
Claudius plays the innocent man
Gertrude plays the loving wife
R&G play the friends and confidants
Polonius plays the sage advisor
Ophelia plays the bait

5. Misogyny Hamlet loved Ophelia once - he doubts her now
She lies one time.
Tender, concerned = virgin image
“paintings” (make-up), “nunnery” (brothel) = whore image

6. Noble Friend
Horatio is not “passion’s slave” -- serves as Hamlet’s anchor
R&G attempt to “play upon” Hamlet -- slaves to their ambition

7. Euphony and Cacophony
Ophelia feels Hamlet’s mind is like “sweet bells jangled out of time”
Horatio not a “pipe for Fortune’s finger”
R&G cannot give “any utt’rance of harmony,” only chaos

8. The Mousetrap
Hamlet continues his misogynist rant, seated between his mother and Ophelia
The main action of the play focuses on the Player Queen’s protestations against remarriage
Claudius is trapped, Gertrude is suspicious (extramarital affair?)

9. Action and Inaction Claudius Hamlet
Stalks out of theater
Commands R&G to escort Hamlet to England
Hamlet
Sublimates his doubts = play within a play
Rationalizes against killing Claudius and preserving his soul

10. Parallel Soliloquies Claudius Hamlet
Confesses but does not repent
Unable to pray
Hesitates to atone for his crimes
Hamlet
Convinces himself to kill Claudius
Resolves to avenge his father. . . some other time
Hesitates to commit a crime

11. The Closet Scene Emotional climax of the play
Hamlet fears he will be “cruel” and “unnatural”
Gertrude fears Hamlet will harm her

12. The Closet Scene With his courage at its peak, Hamlet acts
Hamlet capable of killing in anger
Polonius = the father substitute

13. The Closet Scene Gertrude realizes Claudius’ crimes
Hamlet holds the “mirror” to Gertrude
Gertrude’s senses and perception have misled her
Is Gertrude also merely “passion’s slave”?

14. What will Laertes do? (WWLD) What would Fortinbras do? (WWFD)