Hamlet Act 3 over-/ re-view

An overview of Act 3

• Claudius prays, wondering if he could be forgiven for killing Hamlet Sr. but he can't because he still has claim to the throne and is married to Gertrude, so he's still connected to his sin
• Ghost Hamlet tells Prince Hamlet that letting Gertrude live is more punishment, letting her sit and think of what she's done, stew in her guilt
• Claudius now realizes that he has to get rid of Hamlet because he poses a real threat now; Claudius cannot make Hamlet look like a fool now 
• Hamlet talked to Ophelia in such a lewd, crass way, taking everyone by surprise by adopting a more macho, confident attitude
• Chorus is a group that sings explanations of what happens on stage. So Hamlet is the key to helping Ophelia understand the play that he presents
• Hamlet feels cocky now; he's the tortured son of an awful situation who's mood and actions have switched from laying low to finally letting off steam
• Hamlet goes off on Gertrude; he just killed Polonius and know knows that she and Claudius are guilty and finally lets it all out
• Gertrude needs to see herself for who she is, not as a delusional good-doer, but she calls for help after Hamlet barely criticizes her, making Polonius run to the rescue and end up stabbed by Hamlet
• After killing Polonius, Hamlet goes crazy because killing Polonius is almost as bad as Claudius killing Hamlet Sr. and marrying Gertrude
• But Hamlet barely- if at all- feels guilt for killing Polonius; he was an ingratiating, wretched fool and Gertrude has no heart, especially for her son
• Hamlet basically says to Gertrude: Mother, you have given in to all your passions, so don't talk to me about your problems and possible solutions and expect me to listen
• Hamlet is now a speaker with all integrity, speaking with all truth
• Murder is a catalyst that makes people come face to face with their troubles
• The Ghost advises Hamlet to make sure that Gertrude still knows that Hamlet loves her, he's still her son, to not let her run off and complain to Claudius who would order Prince Hamlet's death; make sure she still hasn't completely lost all feelings for her son