Jacob Ellsworth - Significant Element in Act III of Hamlet

In Act III of Hamlet, the play begins to progress into the climax, with multiple elements
contributing to this progression. However, the element that seems most prominent in this act as
it moves into the climax of the play is Hamlet's internal struggle to gain revenge on his uncle.
Near the beginning of Act III, Hamlet recites a soliloquy that displays the massive
internal conflict that he is experiencing as he says, To be, or not to be, that is the question" ( H
III,i,58). Hamlet says that he is even debating suicide because of the seemingly impossible
actions set before him. He knows he needs to kill his uncle, but he does not see how he will find
an opportunity to do so. Anger, hatred, and sadness is constantly building up inside of Hamlet
and there seems to be nothing he can do about it.
Finally, when the actors arrive, Hamlet finds a way to gain some leverage over his uncle.
At the beginning of scene ii, Hamlet tells the them to Speak the speech, I pray you, as I
pronouncd it to you" (H III,ii,1). Hamlet wants the actors to recite a play that is very similar to his
father's murder, hoping that it will show the king that people are aware of his murder and set him
off balance. After the play ends, the king appears highly troubled and and storms off to pray. At
this time, Hamlet finally gets his chance to encounter his uncle alone and kill him, but Hamlet's
internal struggle again disturbs him. As he is about to kill his uncle, Hamlet says, Now might I
do it pat, now a is a-praying; / And now Ill dotand so a goes to heaven (H III,iii,76).
Hamlet's hatred for his uncle keeps him from killing his uncle because he is praying, and Hamlet
fears that his uncle will go to heaven when he is killed.
After his failed attempt to kill his uncle, Hamlet experiences more anger than ever, which
causes him to lose control when he goes to encounter his mother. Hamlet is furious as he
speaks to his mother, and when he notices that Polonius is hiding behind a curtain, he doesn't
hesitate to stab him. In Act III, Hamlet's internal struggle is the cause of his failed attempt to kill
his uncle and the cause of Polonius's death, making it the most important element of the act.