Hamlet Act 3 Study Guide – Flashcards
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What is Claudius' opinion of Hamlet's madness? What action does he decide to take? Why?
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Claudius knows that Hamlet is mad because he is aware that he killed his brother, the king. Claudius decides that he wants Hamlet to be sent to England.
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To what idea of Hamlet's madness does Polonius cling? Why?
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Polonius thought that Hamlet was mad because of Ophelia because he sent for her to spy on him.
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Describe and explain Helmet's treatment of Ophelia. Is Hamlet aware that he is being watched?
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Hamlet is verbally insulting Ophelia because he knows that she is spying on him.
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What gives a universal quality to this speech
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Hamlet outlines the world's corruption and wonders whether it is worth living in a world like this.
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Why does Hamlet trust and admire Horatio?
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Unlike Hamlet, Horatio is not controlled by passion.
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When Hamlet speaks to Ophelia, what shows that he has lost faith in her?
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Hamlet does not treat her the way he used to before he became "mad". The way he now speaks to her clearly lets the reader know that the no longer trusts her.
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What does the play-within-a-play reveal?
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This reveals that the ghost knows that Hamlet is aware that Claudius murdered him.
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What is Hamlet's attitude toward Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
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Hamlet is skeptical because he believes that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are attempting to deceive him.
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What is Hamlet's state of mind at this point in the play?
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Hamlet really wants to kill Claudius, but he is still struggling with the moral consequences. Also he wants to hurt his mother with words.
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How does Claudius feel about himself? What has changed?
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Claudius feels a little sad about having killed his brother. What changed now is that we can see his guilt and remorse.
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How does Rosencrantz describe the role and consequences of being king?
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He says that there are great risks involved when public figures like kings due and that many will be affected by their deaths.
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How does Hamlet behave towards his mother? What changes after the ghost visits?
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Hamlet is very hostile towards his mother, but the ghost tells him that she is not the one who Hamlet should be getting revenge on.
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What happens to Polonius?
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Polonius is stabbed and killed by Hamlet.
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Describe Gertrude's reactions to Hamlet. Do you think she is guilty in any way? Explain
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Gertrude is guilty but it is likely that she does not know that. Gerturde is part of the reason for why Hamlet is going through his emotional struggle.
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Do you believe Hamlet when he says he is only pretending to be mad?
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No, Hamlet is truly affected by his feelings, and as a result, is truly insane.
