Act 3.1, 58-92

1. Overall: -Unlike other soliloquies which are very emotional, this speech is governed by reason -an internal/philosophical debate on the advantages and disadvantages of existence -considers weather it is right for someone to the their own life (note he uses pronouns ‘we’ and ‘us’ not ‘I’). What is nobler, to live in suffering, or end ones own life? -question is complicated as we do not know what happens in death. -Hamlet analyses the problem rather than coming to any kind of solution. He is distracted by Ophelia before he can answer his own question. -a turning point in the play, Hamlet now becomes a man of action Act 3.1, 58-92

2. Hamlet is debating with himself... Which is more honourable to endure earthly misfortunes or boldly oppose them and die. (two interpretations) To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer (65) The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep; No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks (70) That flesh is heir to, 'tis a consummationDevoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep; To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, (75) Must give us pause: there's the respectThat makes calamity of so long life; For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, The oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,The pangs of despis'd love, the law's delay, (80) The insolence of office and the spurns That patient merit of the unworthy takes, Human vs. super human. Why do this? Dying ends our human suffering. How does this complicate Hamlet’s revenge? (final ending) Here, Hamlet hits upon the ‘obstacle’ or problem in his thinking. What is it?

3. Who would suffer all of life’s pain when they can end their suffering so easily? What does Hamlet suggest prevents people from committing suicide? When he himself might his quietus makeWith a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear, To grunt and sweat under a weary life, (85) But that the dread of something after death, The undiscover'd country from whose bournNo traveller returns, puzzles the will And makes us rather bear those ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of? (90)Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,And enterprises of great pitch and momentWith this regard their currents turn awry, (95) And lose the name of action.-- Soft you now!The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisonsBe all my sins remember'd. Hamlet concludes his internal debate by stating that ‘conscience’, or considering these moral/abstract questions keeps all men from action. How is this conclusion related to Hamlet’s role in the play thus far? Ophelia enters and is saying her prayers. How is this significant?

4. Act 3.2, 358-369 Overall: -Hamlet has successfully used the play to “catch the conscience of the king” and has gained confidence from his success -In his plan to “speak daggers” towards his mother, Hamlet becomes akin to the players who have just performed

5. Hamlet expresses that he is now capable of killing his Uncle. Note the imagery used. Tis now the very witching time of night, (380) When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out  Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood,  And do such bitter business as the day Would quake to look on. Soft! now to my mother. O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever (385) The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom: Let me be cruel, not unnatural: I will speak daggers to her, but use none; My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites; How in my words soever she be shent, (390)  Togive them seals never, my soul, consent! Seeming vs. being Now matter how much his words will blame his mother, he does not truly ‘approve’ of or ‘give seal’

6. Act 3.3, 36-72 Overall: -for the first time Claudius reveals his thoughts to the audience -now we as the audience know for sure that he is guilty -while he intends to confess, the act remains incomplete

7. Refers to Cain. How is this significant reference? Unable to pray, his guilt is too strong O, my offence is rank it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon't, A brother's murder. Pray can I not, Though inclination be as sharp as will: My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent; And, like a man to double business bound, I stand in pause where I shall first begin, And both neglect. What if this cursed hand Were thicker than itself with brother's blood, Is there not rain enough in the sweet heavens To wash it white as snow? Whereto serves mercy But to confront the visage of offence? And what's in prayer but this two-fold force, To be forestalled ere we come to fall, Or pardon'd being down? Then I'll look up;  Similar imagery used in Macbeth. Hyperbole (exaggeration) emphasis his guilt

8. While the act is over, he still reaps the benefits of his sin, and cannot be fully repentant My fault is past. But, O, what form of prayer Can serve my turn? 'Forgive me my foul murder'? That cannot be; since I am still possess'dOf those effects for which I did the murder, My crown, mine own ambition and my queen. May one be pardon'd and retain the offence? In the corrupted currents of this world Offence's gilded hand may shove by justice, And oft 'tis seen the wicked prize itself Buys out the law: but 'tis not so above; There is no shuffling, there the action lies In his true nature; and we ourselves compell'd, Even to the teeth and forehead of our faults, To give in evidence. What then? what rests? Try what repentance can: what can it not? Yet what can it when one can not repent? O wretched state! O bosom black as death! O limed soul, that, struggling to be free, Art more engaged! Help, angels! Make assay! Bow, stubborn knees; and, heart with strings of steel,Be soft as sinews of the newborn babe! All may be well. In this world, power and money can ‘buy out the law’ but this will not be the case in heaven Concludes that he cannot be truly repentant, his desire for the crown outweighs this desire

9. Act 3.3, 77-100 Overall -This follows Hamlet’s declaration that he is prepared to “drink hot blood” and kill the king. He now finds Claudius, unattended in prayer -Hamlet does not kill him as he wants to be sure the King will be condemned to hell -Some critics argue this reasoning is just an excuse, Hamlet’s conscience delays him -In previous soliloquy, Hamlet seemed uncertain of what happened when we die, but now he has some strong ideas/opinions. What do we make of this change? -Ironic, as Claudius reveals his prayer is insincere

10. Hamlet reconsiders. If he kills Claudius now, Claudius will go to heaven... Questions if this is a fitting revenge. Now might I do it pat, now he is praying;And now I'll do't. (draws sword) And so he goes to heaven; And so am I revenged. That would be scann'd: A villain kills my father; and for that, (80) I, his sole son, do this same villain sendTo heaven.O, this is hire and salary, not revenge.He took my father grossly, full of bread;With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; (85)And how his audit stands who knows save heaven?But in our circumstance and course of thought,'Tis heavy with him. And am I then revenged,To take him in the purging of his soul,When he is fit and season'd for his passage? (90)No!Up, sword; and know thou a more horrid hent: When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, Or in the incestuous pleasure of his bed;At game, a-swearing, or about some act (95)That has no relish of salvation in't;Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven,And that his soul may be as damn'd and black As hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays:This physic but prolongs thy sickly days. Claudius killed his father when he was not in a state of repentance (was not fasting) Claudius is ready, “fit and seasoned: for death Will kill him when he is committing a sin

11. ACTIVITY