Hamlet Act 3, scenes 1 & 2 English 12Mr.

Sulley
Name
Line numbers come from our online text on the Shakespeares Words site.
Scene 1
1. Cite a line by Rosencrantz or Guildenstern that shows what they discovered about
Hamlets affliction. (This would be in the opening dialogue of the scene.)
But with a crafty madness keeps aloof
When we would bring him on to some confession
Of his true state

2. Explain this line by Polonius: Tis too much proved, that with devotions visage / And
pious action we do sugar oer / The devil himself.
Polonius claims to be devout while he is truly evil.

3. What heavy burden is Claudius referring to in line 54?
Hamlets brother

4. What is Ophelia referring to when she mentions remembrances (93)?
The gifts Hamlet gave her

5. Translate: Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind (101).
The gifts have lost value with his derisive behavior lately.

6. How does time now give proof to the paradox (114-115). (This is a challenging
question! You must decipher 111-113.)
I do not know

7. His speeches from 121-150 are evidence of both misanthropy and misogyny. Point out
evidence of each in these lines.
Misanthropy is hatred against human kind. Misogyny is hatred against women. What
should such fellows as I do crawling between earth and heaven? Go, farewell. Or, if
thou wilt needs marry, marry a fool. For wise men know well enough what monsters
you





8. What is Ophelias reaction to Hamlet? (151-163) What is ecstasy?
Ecstasy is crazy behavior

9. Cite a line by Claudius about what he thinks of Poloniuss theory about Hamlet being
mad over Ophelia.
Nor what he spake, though it lacked form a little,
Was not like madness.

10. What plan does Polonius propose (181-186) before Hamlet goes to England?
He wants Gertrude to speak to Hamlet

11. Fill in the blank and then reword this line: madness in great ones must not unwatched
go.
Scene 2
1. At the opening of this scene, what is Hamlet explaining to the players?
He is explaining to the players how to act and telling them not to overact.

2. What is Hamlet referring to when he mentions the mirror up to nature? How does this
connect in to The Murder of Gonzago?
He is saying the play is the reflection of humans and Claudius will be looking in a mirror
watching exactly what he did.

3. In the first half of Hamlets speech to Horatio, he compliments him. What does he
admire in Horatio?
He admires that Horatio because he is a honest, unbiased, and good man.

4. In the second half of his speech, he asks Horatio to help him. What is his request? (66.2-
97.1)
He requests that Horatio just watches out for Claudius reaction to the play because he
tells him about what he knows about Claudius.

5. Polonius observes: Oh ho. Do you mark that? To what was he referring?
He is referring to hamlet sitting next to Ophelia.

6. Point out a sarcastic line of Hamlets in lines 135-144.
Then theres hope a great mans memory may out live his life half a year.
7. What prompted Hamlet to say, Thats wormwood?
The actor portraying the queen.

8. What would be wormwood about lines 194-195? To whom?
The bitterness of the hamlet because the queen didnt moarn.

9. Why does Gertrude comment, The lady doth protest too much (240)?
Gertrude thinks the lady is over acting but ironically it is her.

10. When does Hamlet turn his barbs on Claudius? Point out a dig.
When hes asking the king and queen how did they like the play.

11. When does the King react to the play?
The kings reaction is when he asks her if shes ever heard of the story.
Stop here.