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... crafts and Guildenstern that his "madness" might not be all that it seems. Polonius informs Hamlet of the arrival of the players and shortly afterwards, several enter. Hamlet greets the lead player warmly and asks him to recite a speech he had once heard the player do. The player gives a moving recital and Hamlet, et al. are amazed at his ability to summon up all his emotions for the speech.
Hamlet charges Polonius with seeing to it that the players are well cared for while at court and scolds Polonius when he suggests that they will receive the treatment their station deserves insisting they receive far more respect than that. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern take their leave as well. Hamlet, left alone, chastises himself for being unable to summon the emotions to match his predicament. In the end, he decides to fashion a test for Claudius in the form of a scene he will have the players put on the following night. Act 3 Scene 1: Claudius and Gertrude are questioning Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about their discussions with Hamlet, but the pair report they discovered little about Hamlet's condition. They inform the king and queen that Hamlet perked up when the players arrived and announce that a play has been scheduled for the following evening.
Polonius, accompanied by Ophelia, confirms that Hamlet has requested an audience for the play. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sent to encourage Hamlet in this enterprise. Claudius then asks Gertrude to leave, as he and Polonius are going to observe Hamlet as he encounters Ophelia. Polonius has her sit where she will be seen by Hamlet when he arrives, then withdraws with Claudius to a safe position.
While listening to Polonius advise Ophelia, Claudius is momentarily overcome with guilt because of the acts he has committed. Hamlet enters, musing on the value and consequences of life versus the peace and simplicity of death. He spots Ophelia and addresses her. She tries to return some gifts he has given her, but Hamlet denies having given them. They have a brief exchange on the qualities of beauty and honesty. Hamlet urges Ophelia to join a nunnery rather than subject herself to becoming a man's sexual object.
Realizing that they are being observed, Hamlet flies into a rage and strongly denounces Ophelia. After further denouncing the institution of marriage and making a veiled threat aimed at Claudius, Hamlet leaves Ophelia upset over the part she may have played in his mental breakdown. Claudius and Polonius emerge. Polonius once again states that unrequited love is the cause of Hamlet's problems, but Claudius is beginning to suspect more sinister motives behind Hamlet's behavior. Scene 2: Hamlet, in directing the players, outlines his view of contemporary drama.
He speaks with contempt for actors who over-emote or pay no attention to the true emotions of the scene. Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter to inform Hamlet that the king and queen will arrive shortly. Hamlet takes Horatio aside and informs him that a scene in the play will come close to the circumstances of his father's murder and asks Horatio to keep an eye on Claudius throughout so that he and Hamlet can compare notes afterwards as to Claudius' reaction. The king and queen and others enter. Hamlet seems in good spirits as he greets the king and points out that Polonius once acted while at university. Hamlet refuses an offer to sit by his mother, instead preferring to stay near Ophelia, which causes Polonius to once again point out to Claudius and Gertrude Hamlet's attentions toward his daughter.
Hamlet and Ophelia exchange several overtly sexual innuendos and Hamlet makes reference to his father's death and his mother's merriment now. The dumb show enters and stages a silent recreation of the play about to be performed including the murder scene which upsets Hamlet, though Claudius doesn't appear to have noticed. The player king and queen enter and begin the action of the play. Their recitation seems to reflect many of the circumstances of Gertrude's life with her former husband. As the scene with the player queen ends, Hamlet asks Gertrude what she thinks so far and she states that the woman seems insincere.
Claudius, somewhat more uncomfortable, asks Hamlet if there is more offensive material ahead and Hamlet covers to keep Claudius from suspecting anything. The action of the play continues and Hamlet takes on the part of chorus relating the action as the murder begins. When Hamlet states that the murderer gains the love of the player king's wife, Claudius rises and calls for the lights. Everyone but Horatio and Hamlet leave abruptly with the king. Hamlet tells Horatio he's ready to take the ghost at his word now and Horatio agrees that Claudius' reaction implies guilt. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter and inform Hamlet that his uncle and mother are very upset by the performance.
A player enters with a recorder and Hamlet tries to get Guildenstern to play it, which he says he cannot. Hamlet then sternly denounces his "friends" for trying to "play" him like an instrument. Polonius enters to tell Hamlet that his mother wants to see him. Hamlet says he will comply and asks that everyone leave him alone for a few minutes. Hamlet ends by stating that he will confront his mother about her love for Claudius, but will take no sterner action toward her.
Scene 3: Claudius is speaking to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and informs them of his intentions to send Hamlet to England for his safety and the safety of the realm. He sends them away to prepare. Polonius enters to inform Claudius that Hamlet will be speaking to Gertrude shortly and that he plans to hide in the room and listen to their discussion. Claudius approves and sends Polonius away.
Left alone, Claudius is racked with guilt over his offenses and wonders if he can be forgiven for the murder of a king while still holding the office which he has gained by that murder. He kneels and attempts to unburden himself with prayer. While he is praying, Hamlet enters and determines that now would be a good opportunity to take his revenge against Claudius. After further consideration, he decides that to kill Claudius now, while he is purging his soul, would be to allow Claudius to gain heaven which has been denied to Hamlet's father.
Hamlet decides to wait for a better time to kill Claudius, when his actions will send Claudius to a more fitting end. After Hamlet has gone, Claudius rises and states his prayers have been insincere and did not give him the peace he sought. Scene 4: In Gertrude's chamber, Polonius tells her he will hide while she speaks to Hamlet. Hearing Hamlet coming, Polonius takes refuge behind a curtain. Hamlet enters and asks his mother what the problem is. Gertrude tells him he has offended his "father" to which Hamlet replies that it is Gertrude that has offended his father.
During the ensuing exchange, Hamlet takes Gertrude by the arms to make her sit down and, fearing that her life is in danger, she cries out for help. Polonius also calls out, revealing his presence to Hamlet who quickly draws his sword and stabs through the curtain without knowing who is behind it. He asks his mother if it's the king then states that the act he has committed is as bad as killing a king and marrying his brother. Hamlet pulls back the curtain and realizing who he has killed curses Polonius for his constant interference.
Hamlet returns to Gertrude, who is, at first defiant over Hamlet's tone toward her. Hamlet produces a small portrait of his father which he compares to that of Claudius which Gertrude carries. He points out his father's virtues as compared to Claudius' vices. During this exchange, the ghost enters, causing Hamlet to lose his composure. Gertrude is unable to see the ghost and believes that Hamlet has lost his mind. The ghost chides Hamlet for n...
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Research essay sample on Rosencrantz And Guildenstern King And Queen
