1. Hamlet Act 3 & 4

2. Act 3 - Recap 4 Hamlet and Ophelia confrontation. –Hamlet’s bitter words are directed, not against Ophelia, but against women in general. He tells the innocent girl of the faults and weaknesses of her sex (being a woman). Hamlet is rude and harsh. It is a profound artifice of love to alienate Ophelia by affected discourtesies, so to prepare her mind for the breaking off of that loving intercourse which can no longer find a place amidst business so serious as that which he has to do.”

3. Act 3 - Recap 4 Soliloquy (to be, or not to be). Never explicitly states “suicide” or speaks in the first person. However, he thinks about the undeserved sufferings endured by mankind, upon mysteries of death and upon the tendency of thought to weaken the power of action. 4 Theatre scene reflects reality (Hamlet seems in control).

4. Act 3 - Recap 4 Hamlet decides to not kill the king during prayer –Hamlet may want “public justice” –If he kills Claudius while he is praying, he will end the king’s life at the moment when he was seeking forgiveness for his sins, thus sending Claudius’s soul to heaven. –Hamlet would rather wait when the king is either drunk, angry, or lustful. –However, Claudius was unable to pray sincerely: “My words fly up, my thoughts remain below. (Act III, Scene 3, line 96).”

5. Act 3 - Recap 4 Polonius keeps meddling into other peoples affairs: Ophelia (his daughter), Lartes’(his son), and Hamlet. –Hamlet, who is acting blindly through impulse, slays the wrong one; the result is guilt. –Man must, therefore, reflect before proceeding to action. But, through reflection, Hamlet is unable to slay the right one; thus he cannot perform the great injunction (order) laid upon his soul. –If he acts, it is through impulse, and he falls into guilt; if he reflects, he cannot act (his dilemma)

6. Act 3 - Recap 4 Polonius keeps meddling into other peoples affairs: Ophelia (his daughter), Lartes’(his son), and Hamlet. –Hamlet, who is acting blindly through impulse, slays the wrong one; the result is guilt. –Man must, therefore, reflect before proceeding to action. But, through reflection, Hamlet is unable to slay the right one; thus he cannot perform the great injunction (order) laid upon his soul. –If he acts, it is through impulse, and he falls into guilt; if he reflects, he cannot act (his dilemma)

7. Act 3 - Recap 4 Why is Polonius’ death important? –How would Claudius react to this news?! –How would Ophelia (daughter) and Leartes (son) react to this news?!

8. Act 4 4 In act 4, think about: –The king’s reaction to Polonius’ death –Hamlet’s contempt (feeling of disgrace, or considering them worthless) for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.