Hamlet Act 3 Scene 4

Hamlet Act 3 Scene 4

Recap

• Hamlet heard Claudius (his uncle) admit to killing his father (King Hamlet), and decided to kill Claudius when he is in bed with his mother (Gertrude)

• Ophelia's father, Polonius, has been worried about Hamlet's behaviour and has been talking to Gertrude about it. He hides from Hamlet when Hamlet comes to confront his mother over her unfaithfulness.

Watch & Read Act 3 Scene 4

On Google Classroom

Act 3 Scene 4 Recap

• Hamlet stabs Polonius behind a curtain, thinking he was Claudius

• After confronting his mother for being unfaithful, the ghost of Hamlet's father appears.

• Gertrude can't see the ghost and thinks Hamlet is mad.

• Hamlet begs his mum to stop sleeping with Claudius, and goes to hide Polonius' body.

Learning Intentions

• Analyze the relationship between characters in a scene.

• Conclude what the main theme of the text is.

Multiple Choice

When Hamlet says

"Come, come, and sit you down. You shall not budge.

You go not till I set you up a glass [aka mirror]

Where you may see the inmost part of you."

He is saying...

• You can't leave until you reflect upon your actions

• You can't leave until you see what you look like in a mirror

Explanation

• Hamlet is speaking metaphorically, telling his mother to look at herself and see who she truly is.

Multiple Choice

Why is Gertrude terrified of Hamlet at the beginning of the scene?

Hint: "What wilt thou do? Thou wilt not murder me?"

• She's afraid he'll get Claudius

• She's afraid he might kill her.

Multiple Choice

Who does Hamlet think he's stabbing behind the curtain?

• Claudius

• Polonius

• Ophelia

Fill in the Blanks

What does Hamlet say his murder of Polonius almost as bad as? Take the quote directly from the text.

Multiple Choice

Why is Hamlet so mad at his mother?

• For not supporting and loving him

• For not believing him about King Hamlet's murder

• For choosing to get in bed with Claudius

Open Ended

Hamlet says

"Nay, but to live

In the rank sweat of an enseamèd bed,

Stewed in corruption, honeying and making love

Over the nasty sty—"

How is he insulting his mother in this moment?

Poll

Is Hamlet right to treat his mother in such a way?

• Yes, she has been unfaithful towards her dead husband

• No, she is allowed to make her own choices.

Open Ended

In relation to your previous answer, why do you think yes/no?

Multiple Select

Who can see the ghost in this scene? Select all that apply

• Hamlet

• Gertude

• Polonius

Multiple Select

Hamlet's Ghost Father says:

"Do not forget. This visitation

Is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose.

But look, amazement on thy mother sits.

O, step between her and her fighting soul.

Conceit in weakest bodies strongest works."

What two things is he asking Hamlet to do?

• To not forget his goal of avenging his death

• To kill his mother for her unfaithfulness

• To comfort his mother

• To dispose of Polonius

Multiple Choice

What does Gertrude think Hamlet is looking at?

Hint: "Alas, how is ’t with you,

That you do bend your eye on vacancy

And with th' incorporal air do hold discourse?"

• Empty air

• The ghost of his father

Context

• At the beginning of the play, several characters saw the ghost of King Hamlet.

• It was these characters that told Hamlet that his dead father returned as a ghost.

• Now, however, only Hamlet is seeing his ghost father, and not Gertrude.

Poll

Now for the all-important question: Has Hamlet been imagining the ghost of his father the entire time, or is the ghost real and Gertrude refuses to see it?

• Hamlet has been crazy this entire time.

• Hamlet is correct, and Gertrude can't accept that there is a ghost there.

Open Ended

Elaborate on your previous answer about whether Hamlet is crazy or sane.

Recap of the rest of the scene

• Hamlet begs his mother to stop sleeping with Claudius to save her immortal soul.

• He goes to hide Polonius' body.