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 doesn't really treat her differently he sees her as more of an object that can be told what to do and how to think, he tells her she should go to a nunnery and try to preserve her virtue and not just give it away. Yet during the play he spent a lot of time trying to sweet talk her and get her in bed.

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?

• It's to recreate the death of his father in hopes that his uncle will see it and confess his crime. There weren't a whole lot of differences other than the King in the play got to talk to the queen before his death and make her promise to not remarry.

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 feels that if he was to kill Claudius in that moment it will be giving him free passage to heaven because in prayer he is supposedly repenting his sins and wiping his slate clean. Hamlet feels that he will wait because his father never got the chance to ask for forgiveness so why should Claudius be aloud to.

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?

• His mother called upon him to talk to him about the play and how rude it was to set up his uncle. He basically says that it doesn't matter if he insulted his uncle she insulted his father (Daddy Ham.)and then he tells her she isn't allowed to leave until she realizes what a big mistake she has made.

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

• Hamlet stabs him behind the tapestry then after Hamlet and Gertrude talk some more the ghost comes into the room.

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?

• To England, he thinks he is being sent away in an attempt to keep him quiet about the Kings true nature.