Act 3 Scene 1 Flashcards
And can you, by no drift of circumstance, get from him why he puts on this confusion, grating so harshly all his days of quiet with turbulent and dangerous lunancy?
Speaker: Claudius
Context: He is asking Rosencrantz and Guildenstern if they have found out why Hamlet has become crazy
Importance:
- When Claudius says “puts on this confusion” it either suggests that Claudius is starting to become suspicious of Hamlet’s antic disposition or dramatic irony since the audience knows that he is literally putting on this confusion but Claudius does not
- The diction of the word “dangerous” creates dramatic irony because the audience knows that Hamlet’s antic disposition is dangerous to Claudius because it will allow him to find out if Claudius is guilty
With all my heart; and it doth much content me to hear him so inclined. Good gentlemen, give him a further edge, and drive his purpose on to these delights.
Speaker: Claudius
Context: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have told Gertrude and Claudius that Hamlet is very interested in the players and has asked if they can all watch the play to which Claudius replies by encouraging Hamlet’s interest in the play
Importance:
- Claudius is unknowingly helping Hamlet’s plan to bring him down, creating dramatic irony because the audience already knows his plan
- Foreshadows Claudius’ downfall
We are oft to blame in this - ‘tis too much proved that, with devotion’s visage, and pious action, we do sugar o’er the devil himself.
Speaker: Polonius
Context: He is talking to Claudius just before putting Polonius’ plan into action to “loose his daughter on him (Hamlet)” in order to prove that the reason for Hamlet’s craziness is his love for Ophelia. He is saying that sometimes people do things with good intentions, but it still can turn out bad
Importance:
- This quote triggers a reaction from Claudius that allows him to confirm to the audience that he is Hamlet Sr.’s murderer
- Builds on the theme that not everything is as it seems, as Polonius appears virtuous
O, ‘tis too true! How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience! The harlot’s cheek, beautied with plastering art, is not more ugly to the thing that helps it than in my deed to my most painted word: O heavy burden!
Speaker: Claudius speaking to himself
Context: Claudius and Polonius are just about to put their plan to spy on Ophelia and Hamlet’s conversation into action in order for Polonius to prove that the reason for Hamlet’s craziness is his love for Ophelia. However, before the plan can start, Polonius says that people can do things with good intentions, but still end up with bad results.
Importance:
- This is Claudius’ confession to the audience that he killed Hamlet Sr
- This reveals that Claudius has guilt within him and a conscience (which is catching up to him) which builds on the characterization of his character
To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there’s the nub; for in that sleep of death what dreams may come, when have shuffled off this mortal coil
Speaker: Hamlet talking to himself
Context: Hamlet is walking in the halls alone speaking to himself, while Polonius and Claudius are putting their plan to “loose” Ophelia to him into action in order to prove that the reason for Hamlet’s craziness is his love for Ophelia.
Importance:
- This builds on the idea that Hamlet is very religious, by bringing in the common motif used in this play of Heaven and Hell.
- The reason Hamlet cannot kill himself is that he is scared of going to Hell, purgatory, and the unknown of it all (he refers to it as “dreams”).
- Mortal coil refers to Earth and Hamlet is stating that if it were not for Hell, everybody would kill themselves.
- Builds on the idea that Hamlet is an overthinker (fatal flaw).
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all
Speaker: Hamlet
Context: Hamlet is walking in the halls alone speaking to himself, while Polonius and Claudius are putting their plan to “loose” Ophelia to him into action in order to prove that the reason for Hamlet’s craziness is his love for Ophelia.
Importance:
- This quote sums up Hamlet
- Emphasizes on Hamlet’s fatal flaw and how it will lead to his downfall.
Ay, truly; for the power of beauty will sooner transform honesty from what it is to a bawd than the force of honesty can translate beauty into his likeness: this way sometime a paradox, but now the time gives it proof. I did love you once.
Speaker: Hamlet speaking to Ophelia
Context: Hamlet is talking to Ophelia, still acting crazy, while Polonius and Claudius are spying on them.
Importance:
- A paradox
- He is saying that beauty transforms honesty into something gross. His disgust with his mom is bleeding into his relationship with Ophelia
- Hamlet believes all women are bad
- He knows from what he has overheard that Ophelia is loyal to Polonius
I have heard of your paintings too, well enough. God hath given you one face, and you make yourselves another
Speaker: Hamlet
Context: Hamlet is speaking to Ophelia in the palace while Polonius and Claudius are spying on the conversation
Importance:
Hamlet says yourselves, instead of yourself, because he is referring to all women, not just Ophelia. This demonstrates that his view of his mother has caused him to view all women in a negative light
Referring to makeup as a metaphor for women being masters of deception
Get thee to a nunnery: why wouldst thou be a breeder of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest, but yet I could accuse me of such things that it were better my mother had not borne me / to a nunnery, go
Speaker: Hamlet
Context: Hamlet is speaking to Ophelia in the palace while Polonius and Claudius are spying on the conversation
Importance:
- There are two interpretations of “get thee to a nunnery”:
1) Hamlet wants Ophelia to go to a nunnery to save herself from this corrupt world because he loves her
2) Nunnery is slang for brothel so he thinks Ophelia is a whore like his mom
- Breeder of sinners refers to him thinking that Ophelia should not bear children into this corrupt world
Love! His affections do not that way tend; nor what he spake, though it lack’d dorm a little, was not like madness.
Speaker: Claudius
Context: Ophelia has just been rejected by Hamlet, while Polonius and Claudius watched. Now, Polonius is comforting his daughter while Claudius is saying that he does not believe Ophelia is the reason for his craziness
Importance:
- King does not believe that Hamlet is crazy because of love, he is starting to suspect that Hamlet may be a threat to him
- King wants to send Hamlet to England now
- Polonius asks for another chance to prove that Hamlet does love Ophelia
it shall be so; madness in great ones must not unwatch’d go.
Speaker: Claudius
Context: After Hamlet rejected Ophelia, Claudius no longer believes the reason for Hamlet’s craziness is his love for and he is starting to be suspicious of whether Hamlet actually is crazy. Therefore, Polonius asks for another chance to prove that he does love Ophelia.
Importance:
- Claudius is saying that he will be watching Hamlet from now on (he is suspicious)
- Creates an ominous tone
- Forcing Hamlet to act fast or everything will go wrong
