Name_____________                                                                                      English 11

Mrs. Moorman/ Mrs. Murray                                                                           Period____

 

Hamlet Act 3 Scene 2

Summary – What happens in this scene?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Characters –   Who are they?  What is their role in the scene?

 

Hamlet:

 

 

King:

 

 

Queen:

 

 

Polonius:

 

 

Ophelia:

 

Rozencrantz and Guildenstern:

 

 

Horatio:

 

 

Players:

 

Important Lines – Interpret each quote in your own words and then explain why it is important.

 

1)     Hamlet:  One scene of it comes near the circumstance,

     Which I have told thee, of my father's death.
                   I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot,
                   Even with the very comment of thy soul
                  Observe my uncle. If his occulted guilt
                  Do not itself unkennel in one speech,
                  It is a damned ghost that we have seen, 3.2.83-88

 

 

 

 

 

 

2) Player Queen: The instances that second marriage move

       Are base respects of thrift, but none of love.
       A second time I kill my husband dead
       When second husband kisses me in bed.  3.2.205-208

 

 

 

 

3) Player King: Our wills and fates do so contrary run

That our devices still are overthrown;
Our thoughts are ours, their ends none of our own.
So think thou wilt no second husband wed;
But die thy thoughts when thy first lord is dead.  3.2.234-238

 

 

 

 

4) Ophelia: The King rises.  3.2.291

 

 

 

5) Hamlet:. 'Sblood, do you think I am easier to

         be play'd on than a pipe?  3.2.399-400

 

 

 

6)Hamlet: Let me be cruel, not unnatural;

       I will speak daggers to her, but use none.  3.2.428-429

 

Further Questions-

 

1)     Why does Hamlet say he needs to use the play to test the King’s guilt?  What is he concerned about?

 

 

 

 

2)     Describe what happens in the dumb show?  Why is the dumb show significant?

 

 

 

 

 

3)     What is the purpose of the conversation between the Player King and the Player Queen?  What do they talk about?  How does their conversation relate to the other characters in the play?

 

 

 

 

 

4)     How does the King react to the play?  What can we infer about the King from this reaction?

 

 

 

 

5)     Why is Hamlet so upset with Rozencrantz and Guildenstern?  What is the metaphor he uses to describe how they have treated him?

 

 

 

 

 

6)     What does Hamlet plan to do at the end of the scene?