9.06 Discussion: Act 3, Session 2

In Act 3, Scene 3, Hamlet has an opportunity to kill Claudius, but he does not act. One scene later, however, Hamlet does not hesitate at all when he kills Polonius in Gertrude's chamber. Why is Hamlet able to act in Scene 4 but not in Scene 3? What does this tell readers and viewers about Hamlet's character?

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Ginny

English

4 June, 23:00

9.06 Discussion: Act 3, Session 2

In Act 3, Scene 3, Hamlet has an opportunity to kill Claudius, but he does not act. One scene later, however, Hamlet does not hesitate at all when he kills Polonius in Gertrude's chamber. Why is Hamlet able to act in Scene 4 but not in Scene 3? What does this tell readers and viewers about Hamlet's character?

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Yukon · Answer 1

In Act 3, scene 3, Hamlet didn't kill Claudius because he thought his uncle was praying and if he was asking forgiveness for his sins (Claudius killed Hamlet's father), he would go to Heaven. So, Hamlet decided that he would kill Claudius when he was committing sin (just as his father's ghost requested). In scene 4, Hamlet went to Gertrude's room (his mother). He attacked her for her remarriage with Claudius (her brother's husband!). While they were arguing, Hamlet noticed movements behind the curtains and he stabbed Polonius without hesitation because he thought he was Claudius. But he didn't feel sorry for Polonius; he thought he deserved it for being a busybody.

From these two scenes, we notice the hatred towards Claudius and also to Gertrude for marrying him. We can see how Hamlet thinks it's worth waiting to kill Claudius but, on the other hand, he acts in an impulsive way when he kills Polonius. Also, he doesn't show being sensitive about Polonius.