Hamlet by William Shakespeare Act III

Hamlet Act III Scene i Rosencrantz and Guildenstern report that they did not know the cause of Hamlet’s apparent madness. After Ophelia leaves, Claudius and Polonius decide to eavesdrop on the conversation between Ophelia and Hamlet Hamlet verbally attacks Ophelia, denying that he ever loved her.

Hamlet Act III Scene i Claudius realizes that Hamlet is not in love, and that his madness is caused by something else. He decides to send Hamlet to England immediately.

Hamlet Act III Scene ii Hamlet makes arrangements for the play, including the addition of his own lines. He tells Horatio of his plan and asks him to help observe Claudius’s reaction. Before the play, Hamlet decided to sit next to Ophelia. The play begins, and the actors re-create the poisoning that King Hamlet described.

Hamlet Act III Scene ii Claudius stops the play and abruptly leavers. Hamlet is reassured. The Queen sends for Hamlet. Hamlet decides that he will be harsh with his mother, but that he will not physically harm her.

Hamlet Act III Scene iii Claudius orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to take Hamlet to England. Polonius announces that he will hide behind the curtain in Gertrude’s room in order to eavesdrop on their conversation. Alone, Claudius tries to pray, but feelings of guilt interrupt him. Hamlet comes in and sees Claudius trying to pray, and thinks about killing him.

Hamlet Act III Scene iii He hesitates, however, because he feels that if he interrupts Claudius in the middle of his prayer, he may go to Heaven. Hamlet leaves.

Hamlet Act III Scene iv Hamlet arrives at Gertrude’s room and immediately speaks abruptly and accusingly towards her. She yells out for help, and behind the curtain, Polonius makes a sound. Thinking it is the King, Hamlet stabs the curtain, and Polonius falls dead to the floor.

Hamlet Act III Scene iv The ghost appears, but Gertrude cannot see it, and because of this, she is even more convinced that Hamlet has gone mad. Hamlet tells her he is only faking, and he orders her not to tell the king.