Themes: Up till Act 3, Scene 3
1. Revenge and Justice
Explanation: The central plot revolves around Prince Hamlet seeking
revenge on his uncle, Claudius, who murdered Hamlet’s father.
However, Hamlet struggles with the moral and philosophical
implications of revenge.
Key Moments:
• The Ghost (Act 1, Scene 5) tells Hamlet to avenge his “foul and
most unnatural murder.”
• Hamlet’s hesitation and delay reflect his inner conflict and search
for justice rather than blind vengeance.
• In Act 3, Scene 3, Hamlet finds Claudius praying and decides not
to kill him, fearing Claudius would go to heaven if killed while
confessing—a moment showing Hamlet’s obsession with justice
and the afterlife.
2. Appearance vs. Reality
Explanation: Characters in Hamlet often hide their true intentions,
leading to deception, spying, and mistrust. Hamlet himself acts mad to
uncover the truth.
Key Moments:
• Hamlet’s “antic disposition” (Act 1, Scene 5) is a performance to
mislead others.
• Polonius uses Reynaldo to spy on Laertes (Act 2, Scene 1).
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sent to spy on Hamlet by
Claudius and Gertrude.
• The “play within the play” (Act 3, Scene 2) is Hamlet’s way of
exposing Claudius’ guilt by seeing how he reacts.
3. Madness (Real and Feigned)
Explanation: Madness is both a disguise (for Hamlet) and a real
condition (possibly for Ophelia later on). It reflects emotional distress
and is used to explore psychological themes.
Key Moments:
• Hamlet begins behaving erratically after speaking to the Ghost.
• Polonius believes Hamlet is mad with love for Ophelia (Act 2,
Scene 1-2).
• Hamlet mocks others and speaks in riddles, leaving everyone
unsure whether his madness is real.
4. Corruption and Decay
Explanation: The state of Denmark is often described using imagery of
rot and disease, symbolizing moral and political corruption, especially
after Claudius takes the throne.
Key Moments:
• Marcellus says, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”
(Act 1, Scene 4).
• Hamlet often references decay and death, especially in his
soliloquies (e.g., “O that this too too solid flesh would melt…” in
Act 1, Scene 2).
5. Action vs. Inaction
Explanation: Hamlet is deeply philosophical and struggles with making
decisions, especially about killing Claudius. This delay becomes a
defining aspect of his character.
Key Moments:
• Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” soliloquy (Act 3, Scene 1) explores
whether it is nobler to suffer or to take action.
• He hesitates at several points, especially in Act 3, Scene 3, when
he decides not to kill Claudius during prayer.
6. Gender and Misogyny
Explanation: Hamlet’s relationships with his mother (Gertrude) and
Ophelia reflect deep mistrust of women, revealing early modern
attitudes toward gender.
Key Moments:
• Hamlet criticizes Gertrude for marrying Claudius so quickly after
King Hamlet’s death.
• He tells Ophelia, “Get thee to a nunnery” (Act 3, Scene 1),
expressing his bitterness toward women and romantic love.
Characterisation Of Major Characters
Hamlet – The Troubled Prince
Key Traits:
• Intelligent and Philosophical – Hamlet constantly reflects on life,
death, morality, and truth. His soliloquies reveal deep existential
questioning (e.g., “To be or not to be” – Act 3, Scene 1).
• Melancholy and Grieving – Still mourning his father’s death,
Hamlet wears black and feels alienated (Act 1, Scene 2).
• Cautious and Hesitant – Though he wants revenge, he delays
action, overthinking moral consequences (e.g., refusing to kill
Claudius during prayer in Act 3, Scene 3).
• Deceptive and Strategic – Puts on an “antic disposition” (feigned
madness) to confuse others and buy time.
• Cruel at Times – He mocks Polonius, manipulates Ophelia, and
treats Rosencrantz and Guildenstern coldly once he sees their
betrayal.
King Claudius – The Political Opportunist
Key Traits:
• Ambitious and Power-Hungry – Claudius kills his brother and
marries Gertrude to seize the throne.
• Polished and Diplomatic – He presents himself as a caring king
and stepfather (Act 1, Scene 2), using calm and persuasive speech.
• Paranoid and Manipulative – Sends Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet; uses Polonius to eavesdrop.
• Guilty Conscience – Revealed in Act 3, Scene 3 when he prays,
confessing to murder but unable to repent sincerely: “My words fly
up, my thoughts remain below.”
Queen Gertrude – The Complicated Mother
Key Traits:
• Loving but Naïve – She clearly loves Hamlet but doesn’t see
Claudius’s corruption or understand the depth of Hamlet’s grief.
• Possibly Weak-Willed – Marries Claudius soon after her
husband’s death; Hamlet accuses her of being lust-driven and
morally weak.
• Passive – She doesn’t take much political or emotional initiative,
often letting Claudius and Polonius lead.
Polonius – The Pompous Courtier
Key Traits:
• Verbose and Self-Important – Loves to hear himself speak, as
seen in his advice to Laertes (Act 1, Scene 3).
• Controlling and Intrusive – Orders Ophelia to stay away from
Hamlet, spies on his children, and arranges schemes to uncover
Hamlet’s madness.
• Comically Foolish but Dangerous – Often used for comic relief,
but his meddling causes real harm and escalates tension.
Ophelia – The Obedient Daughter
Key Traits:
• Submissive and Innocent – Follows her father and brother’s
instructions, even when it breaks her heart.
• Emotionally Torn – Loves Hamlet but is deeply affected by his
strange and cruel behavior (Act 3, Scene 1).
• Victim of Manipulation – Used as bait by Polonius and Claudius
to test Hamlet’s madness, showing how little control she has over
her life.