Act 3 Scene 1

The scene opens with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's report on Hamlet's odd behavior. They report that he was acting crazy, but he seemed to be unusually excited about the arrival of the actors. Claudius notes this and tells the two to encourage Hamlet's theatrical interest. R&G leave as Claudius and Polonius plot to spy on Hamlet as he encounters Ophelia in the hallway as if by accident. Ophelia goes along with them, and Claudius has an aside where he reveals his guilty conscience to the audience. The two men hide, and Hamlet enters, delivering his famous "To Be or Not to Be" speech. In this speech, he ponders why humans don't simply commit suicide when life is too terrible to bear. He says that it is because we don't know what happens after death, and because we are scared of what we don't know, we are too cowardly to kill ourselves. Out thoughts keep us from acting on our impulses. Hamlet then encounters Ophelia and proceeds to rebuke her cruelly by claiming that he never loved her, questioning her virginity, and demanding that she go to a nunnery. He asks her where her father is, and she lies, saying that he is at home. As Hamlet leaves in a rage, Ophelia laments his descent into madness, mourning the ideal prince that she once knew. Polonius and Claudius re-enter, and Polonius is still convinced of Hamlet's love for Ophelia. Claudius is not convinced, however, and he decides that it would be best to send Hamlet to England, for "Madness in great ones must not unwatched go" (3.1.183).

I have some questions for the characters in this scene, but mostly (surprise!) Polonius and Claudius. Claudius, why do you want to spy on Hamlet? I mean, I know he's been acting crazy, but do you fear his disorder? Because you killed your brother and everything has been okay up to this point (no one has discovered you), are you afraid that Hamlet's disorder will disrupt the plan that has been going perfectly up to this point? If he hasn't shown any violence toward you up to this point, why do you want to spy on him? Also, Polonius, why are you so determined to prove that Hamlet's madness has to do with his love for Ophelia? What would it mean for you if that were true?

I have to say that I love the way that Kenneth Branagh played this scene in the movie. He played Hamlet in a way that I totally agree with. He's obviously in love with Ophelia, but he has to "break up" with her in order to protect her from the craziness that is about to envelop his life. However he realizes that they are being spied on towards the middle of their conversation, and he is extremely upset and hurt when Ophelia lies about where her father is. He then proceeds to act violently toward her as he searches recklessly for Claudius and Polonius. In the end, he leaves Ophelia crumpled on the floor, but leaves her regretfully, ultimately saddened by the way things have turned out. I love this portrayal because it is one of the first times where I can relate to Hamlet. I can understand his love for Ophelia and it makes total sense to me that he would feel hurt and betrayed by her. Also, its nice to see a glimpse of the person he was before the death of his father, one who was able to fall in love and let his guard down with at least one person.