| English 12

Hamlet Act III Questions

Scene i
1. What does Polonius mean by We are oft to blame in
this./Tis too much proved, that with devotions visage/And
pious action we do sugar oer/The devil himself? How does
Claudius respond to Polonius words in private?
2. What is Hamlet contemplating in his soliloquy? Of what is
he probably thinking when he says, conscience does make
cowards of us all?
3. How does Hamlet treat Ophelia during their encounter?
4. What is Ophelias emotional state at the end of the scene?
5. How do Polonius and the King respond to then encounter that they just
witnessed? What do they propose should be their next course of action?
Scene ii
1. What acting advice does Hamlet give to the actors?
2. What favour does he ask of Horatio?
3. Hamlet reveals why he admires Horatio. What about Horatio does he say
he admires?
4. How does the dialogue between the Queen and King in the play that is
performed touch upon the subject of infidelity?
5. Why does Hamlet call the play The Mousetrap when the King asks of its
title?
6. At what point does Claudius stop the play? Why is this significant?
7. What request from the Queen to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern bring to
Hamlet? How does Hamlet call them out?
8. How does Hamlet plan to behave when he is with his mother?
Scene iii
1. What does Claudius order Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do? How do
they respond?
2. What will Polonius do next?
3. In his soliloquy, why does the King say he cant bring himself to ask God
for forgiveness?