1. Hamlet Scene
The third most likely question to appear, after characters and themes is called the ‘OPEN’ question.
It asks you to discuss the play like
‘What’s your favourite / the most dramatic scene in the play’
‘The play has many memorable moments’
‘Why is the play important’.
IN most cases, it will want you to discuss a particular scene to answer the convoluted question it asks.

2. Act 3, scene iv
Act 3 scene iv is a scene full of conflict, tension and dramatic incident. In this scene Hamlet confronts Gertrude and rashly kills Polonius, which has significant influence of the course of events in the play.
(We also see hamlet as a ruthless killer, see him mentally torture his mother and there’s a ghost.... Doesn’t get more dramatic than that.)

3. Build it up (setting)
This meeting of mother and child has been planned by Polonius so as to facilitate his spying. This adds to an already tense atmosphere. Hamlet explodes in a violent rage, threatening his mother:
“You go not till I set you up a glass where you may see the inmost part of you”
(You have to mention the audience in this type of question. ‘The audience is taken aback, is shocked, etc’. You can also mention TV and stage versions. DO NOT MAKE A SUMMARY! What is the effect, what do we learn about the characters, why is it good?)

4. The killing of Polonius (character)
This is particularly shocking because Hamlet – a man seemingly paralysed by indecision – acts on the spur of the moment. Even Hamlet is in shock as, when questioned about his action, he says:
“Nay, I know not. Is it the king?”
Now we know he is capable of killing a king - character development.

5. Remorse? (character)
The audience is shocked, not only at the act of murder, but also at Hamlet’s complete lack of remorse for what the queen describes as “this rash and blood deed”.
Hamlet also treats Polonius with contempt and coldly dismisses him which we do not expect from a noble hero.
(Did Polonius deserve to die in such a manner? He was a .... nasty fellow but this is not a fitting punishment.)

6. The accusation (the moment)
Tension increases as Hamlet levels his most serious accusation then. As a body lays before them, Hamlet tells Gertrude:
“a bloody deed – almost as bad, good mother as kill a King and marry with his brother” (Like to imagine soap opera music here)
Her shocked response suggest she knew nothing of her husbands murder.
Hamlet dramatically contrast the two kings as well here.

7. The response
Hamlet, still in a rage, demands Gertrude look at herself and in a moment of true self-awareness, she acknowledges her sinful state.
“Thou turn’st mine eyes into my very soul, and there I see such black and grained spots as will not leave their tinct”.
His harsh treatment of Gertrude surmounts to mental torture. He remorselessly hammers home his message to the point she says:
“These words are like daggers enter my ears”
(Oedipus – torture – 50 shades )

8. But we’re not done yet.
Enter a ghost again. King Hamlet returns to remind the protagonist of his purpose, though Gertrude cannot see him.
“This visitation is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose”
We get one final surprise as Hamlet reveals his sanity to his mother and the scene then leaves us in fierce anticipation as he sets his sights on other foes.