Name_____________                                                                                      English 11

Mrs. Moorman/ Mrs. Murray                                                                           Period____

 

Hamlet Act 3 Scene 3

Summary – What happens in this scene?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Hamlet:

 

 

 

King:

 

 

 

Polonius:

 

 

 

Rozencrantz:

 

 

 

Guildenstern:

 

 

 

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

 

1)      King:   I like him not, nor stands it safe with us

To let his madness range. Therefore prepare you;
 I your commission will forthwith dispatch,
And he to England shall along with you. 3.3.1-4

 

 

 

 

 

2)      King: O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven;

It hath the primal eldest curse upon't,
A brother's murther! Pray can I not,
Though inclination be as sharp as will.  3.3.40-43

 

 

 

 

 

3)      King:May one be pardon'd and retain th' offence?  3.3.60

 

 

 

 

 

4)      Hamlet: Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;

  And now I'll do't. And so he goes to heaven,
  And so am I reveng'd. That would be scann'd.
  A villain kills my father; and for that,
  I, his sole son, do this same villain send
  To heaven.  3.3.78-83

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)      King: Rises. My words fly up, my thoughts remain below.

                  Words without thoughts never to heaven go. 3.3.103

 

 

 

 

 

Further Questions –

 

1)      Why does the King want Rozencrantz and Guildenstern to take Hamlet to England?

 

 

 

 

 

2)      Why does the King wish he could pray?

 

 

 

 

 

3)      What prevents him from praying?

 

 

 

 

 

 

4)      Why doesn’t Hamlet take advantage of his chance to kill the King?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5)      By the end of the scene has the King managed to pray and ask for forgiveness?  How do you know?