1. Act 3, Scenes 1-2
What is the point of Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy? What is the underlying question?
Does Hamlet mean what he says to Ophelia? What does it show you about his view of women in general?
Hamlet comments on marriage in these scenes. Why does he tell Ophelia “Get thee to a nunnery”? Why does he say this? What is he saying about marriage in general?
What is Gertrude referring to in Line 226 (white version)/Line 254 (orange version)? Why is this line so famous?

2. Act 3, Scenes 1-2
What is the point of Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy? What is the underlying question?
Does Hamlet mean what he says to Ophelia? What does it show you about his view of women in general?
Hamlet comments on marriage in these scenes. Why does he tell Ophelia “Get thee to a nunnery”? Why does he say this? What is he saying about marriage in general?
What is Gertrude referring to in Line 226 (white version)/Line 254 (orange version)? Why is this line so famous?

3. Act 3, Scenes 1-2
Hamlet comments on marriage in these scenes. Why does he tell Ophelia “Get thee to a nunnery”? Why does he say this? What is he saying about marriage in general?
Hamlet is generally angry about marriage due to his mother’s hasty marriage to his uncle. He is untrusting of all women and advises Ophelia to go to nunnery to keep her from marrying and having more “sinners” or children who will grow up and marry as well. Perhaps he wants her there to protect her from his increasing instability as well.

4. Act 3, Scenes 1-2
What is Gertrude referring to in Line 226 (white version)/Line 254 (orange version)? Why is this line so famous?
Gertrude is referring to the actress Queen that she really vows to never marry because in that time period, protest means vow.
This phrase has been used as a figure of speech to show a person's repeated attempts to convince others of something have ironically helped to convince others that the opposite is true, by making the person look insincere and defensive.

5. Homework
Read Act 3, Scenes 3-4 and answer corresponding questions.

6. Soliloquy
Think of a time in your life when you had to make an important decision. In the style of Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy, write a poem in which you mull and struggle over a decision. Include the thoughts that went through your head – perhaps the pros, the cons, and what your final thought was.
“To play or not to play:” Trying to decide whether or not to play a sport in high school
“To ask or not to ask:” Asking someone to the prom or out on a date.

7. Soliloquy
Your soliloquy should be lines long and open with a “To_____ or not to_____” that clearly shows your struggle from the outset. You will share your poem with the class, so do not include anything that you would not be comfortable having your classmates hear. Your poem may be funny and whimsical or more serious if you so choose.

8. Homework Finish soliloquy. Be ready to share tomorrow.
Read Act 3, Scenes 3-4 and answer corresponding questions.

9. Act 3, Scenes 3-4
How does Hamlet react after he murders Polonius? What does this show you about his current mental state?  
Hamlet acts triumphant after he stabs through the arras. He believes he killed King Claudius. When he learns it is Polonius, he shows no remorse. Hamlet’s mental state could be described as unstable.
Line 27 white book, line 32 orange book
Line 32 white book, line 38 orange book.

10. Act 3, Scenes 3-4
What occurs beginning on Line 36 (white version)/Line 40 (orange version) of Scene 3? Compare Claudius’s thoughts on his own guilt as he tries to pray to Gertrude’s recognition of her guilt when confronted by Hamlet.
Claudius tries to pray for confession, but he says how can he ask for forgiveness when he still possesses all that he gained from the murder.
Gertrude is horrified to learn about the murder of King Hamlet and did not know about it.

11. Act 3, Scenes 3-4
In Scene 4, how is the theme of incest seen in Hamlet’s conversation with Gertrude? (Include quotes from their conversation that illustrate this.)
Freud wrote that Hamlet had an Oedipus complex.
Line 20 orange, line 16 white
“You are the Queen, your husband’s brother’s wife.
Line 104 orange, Line 92 white “In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, stewed in corruption.

12. Act 3, Scenes 3-4
How do Gertrude’s changing emotions convey the idea that women are unable to act and react without the direction of men?
Line 202 orange, 181 white she asks Hamlet what she should do
Line 224 orange, line 201 white She needs Hamlet to remind her his departure for England. She lets other make decisions about him.
Lines 99 and 107 orange, 89 and 95 white She’s begging Hamlet to stop telling her about the murder and she appears frail.

13. Act 3, Scenes 3-4
Hamlet is now obsessed with gaining certain, divine knowledge.
Wants to know God’s plan
Wants to know that Claudius will go to hell after death