Question

In Act 3, scene 3, Hamlet has an opportunity to kill Claudius but he doesn’t. One scene later though, Hamlet doesn’t hesitate to kill Polonius in Gertrude’s chamber. Why is Hamlet able to act in scene 4 but not in scene 3? What does this tell the audience about Hamlet’s character?

Answer 1

What do you know about the character Hamlet from your studies?

Answer 2

He acts like a madman

Answer 3

What is his character driven by?

Answer 4

Um, reason?

Answer 5

Well if he acts like a mad man then he wouldn't be driven by reason would he?

Answer 6

Let's think of driven in terms of motivation. What is Hamlet's motivation throughout the entire work?

Answer 7

I guess it just the fact that he wants to kill the king.

Answer 8

Or he wants to commit heroic acts.

Answer 9

Acts of bravery.

Answer 10

You're getting closer, but why does he want to kill the now king?

Answer 11

Because he was informed by the ghost that Claudius killed his father.

Answer 12

The ghost of King Hamlet

Answer 13

Exactly. Now think about what that would drive someone to do. He's driven by revenge. Why does he hesitate to kill Claudius, but have no problem killing Polonius?

Answer 14

He hesitated on killing Claudius because he believed that if he acted then, Claudius would go straight to heaven due to the fact that he was currently saying his prayers. He didn't actually mean to kill Polonius though, he didn't know that it was him.

Answer 15

He thought that he had actually killed Claudius.

Answer 16

So there's your answer. What does this tell you about Hamilton?

Answer 17

He has the resilience to overcome setbacks? Please tell me if I'm wrong.

Answer 18

Well it tells us a couple things. One it tells us that Hamlet is deeply religious in that he refuses to kill Claudius because he thinks he'd go to heaven. It also shows us the absolute fury that is within Hamlet that he proves later on with the murder spree he goes on.

Answer 19

Or this could signify that he is the kind of person who acts on impulse.

Answer 20

Thank you for your help.

Answer 21

Not a problem always happy to help!