Act 3, Scene 1

In this scene, we are offered greater insight into the emotions of characters. We continue to see Hamlet’s struggle with grief, begin to see Claudius deal with the guilt of killing King Hamlet, and see Ophelia deal with the loss of the Hamlet she knew and loved. The windows into characters that this scene offers will be important for the rest of the play. 

No one can quite figure out what is causing Hamlet’s madness. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern admit to Claudius that they are unable to determine the cause of his lunacy. But, they do know that the players upcoming play is bringing him joy. Claudius begins to be suspicious of another cause of Hamlet’s behavior. He thinks he is not mad, yet contains something melancholy in his soul. He states that Hamlet should be sent away to England. But, Polonius convinces Claudius to give Gertrude one more chance to figure her son. Polonius still believes that young love made him mad. Immediately, I questioned if Claudius suspects that Hamlet knows he is his father’s killer. Additionally, I questioned why people are not thinking of grief and large life changes as the cause of his madness. Did people of this time not get affected by grief like people do today? 

Claudius’ aside is the first time we see his true emotions and guilt catch up with him. He reacts so suddenly after Polonius talks about the way prayer is used to cover up devilish action. I wonder what effect the burden of his murder will have on Claudius’ actions. 

Finally, a strange interaction occurs between Ophelia and Hamlet. In the arranged meeting, she returns the presents he has given her. Immediately, he descends into madness and tells her he loved her but then that he never did. He repeatedly tells her to go to a nunnery, so she is unable to be a breeder of sinners. He speaks offensively toward her and all women and asks where her father is so Polonius can deal with her. I wonder if this is at all telling of Hamlet’s character or if he acts this way completely out of madness? We should discuss the evolution of his thoughts and actions from the time he spoke with his father’s ghost until now.