Hamlet Act III, i

1
Hamlet Act III, i

• This first scene is set in the castle, with the
  King asking Rosencrantz and Guildenstern if they
  can find out reason for Hamlets madness. They
  confess they cannot, but tell Gertrude that
  Hamlet was happy to see the players.
• Ironically, Claudius advises they, drive his
  purpose into these delights

2
Hamlet Act III, i

• The king asks Gertrude to leave, because he has
  invited Hamlet here to meet Ophelia (by accident)
  and be spied on by Claudius and Polonius. The
  fact that she is not there while the spying is
  going on helps to prepare the audience for her
  later switch of allegiance.
• Claudiuss aside appears to confess some guilt
• The harlots cheek
• Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it
• Than is my deed to my most painted word.
• (III.i.58-60)
• This is a revealing and psychologically
  disturbing aside he connects the deception that
  Ophelia practises with his own heavy burden.

3
Hamlet Act III, i

• Hamlet enters, debating the question of whether
  to take revenge for Hamlets death is paramount,
  but so is the question of whether life is worth
  living.
• This soliloquy is the subject of much debate in
  itself some critics feel that this is not the
  right place for it some feel that Hamlet
  displays elements of academia, posing a question
  for debate.
• Consider how the audience now respond to Hamlet
  is there for dramatic purpose? If so, is it to
  present the young man as rational, detached,
  analytical and therefore a suitable potential
  king? He does contrast with old Hamlet,
  Fortinbras (and young Fortinbras) and Laertes.

4
Hamlet Act III, i

• Ophelias greeting of Hamlet and his of her begin
  this first encounter in the play.
• Consider how this will be presented.
• Think about previous action is Hamlet presented
  as someone who knows about this plot? Hamlets
  opening words are gentle sibilance, through,
  Softorisons and gentle consonants assist this
  impression of tenderness. The word fair has
  connotations for Shakespeares audience not only
  of beauty but also of gentleness, honesty,
  truthfulness and loyalty.

5
Hamlet Act III, i

• In contrast, Ophelias language is stiff and
  formal this would be expected to alert Hamlet
  to her treachery.
• Hamlets questions about honest and comments
  about beauty corrupting people lead to his, Get
  thee to a nunnery. He is shown as becoming
  increasingly contemptuous for the first time he
  is seeing her alone and then she treats him
  distractedly and betrays him by entering into the
  conspiracy.
• nunnery is also Elizabethan slang for a brothel
  so is the suggestion that she escape the awful
  world of Elsinore to a convent, or that as a
  whore she should work in a place suited to her?
• Hamlet would be presented as definitely knowing
  that he is spied upon when he asks where Polonius
  is and she replies, at home

6
Hamlet Act III, i

• Hamlets disgust is focused on sexuality again,
  he talks to Ophelia as a prostitute accusing
  her of using cosmetics to present a different
  face, of affecting behaviour intended to attract
  men
• The director can change perceptions here, by
  showing Hamlets words as directed either at
  Ophelia, or at those listening.

7
Hamlet Act III, i

• The comment below appears to be directed at
  Claudius
• I say we will have no
• more marriages those that are married already,
  all
• But one, shall live the rest shall keep as they
  are.
• (III.i.158-60)

8
Homework

• Look closely at the language of Hamlets
  soliloquy (lines 63-95) investigate the
  metaphors and consider how the protagonist is
  presented by Shakespeare here.
• Compare this with Hamlets other soliloquies, in
  Act I scene ii (l.131-161) and Act I scene v
  (l.98 118)
• Note down any difference in tone, language
  patterns and what you feel is revealed about the
  character by Shakespeare
• This should be in note form, given in
• before half-term