Commentary of Hamlet Act 3 Scene 4.

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Commentary of Act 3 Scene 4

A brief summary of this scene is that Polonius hides in Gertrude’s private room behind a tapestry to listen to Gertrude talk to her son Hamlet about his behaviour that he has possessed recently. At Hamlets arrival, Gertrude begins to launch into lecturing her son, however before she has a chance, Hamlet has already turned the tables and accuses his Mother of being in the wrong, not himself. Hamlet is in such a rage with his mother that he acts aggressively towards her and Polonius makes his presence known to save her, but before he can do anything, Hamlet stabs him through the wall hanging, thinking it was Claudius. Hamlet then goes straight back into telling his mother what he thinks of her relationship with Claudius, even after realizes it was Polonius behind the tapestry, until the ghost of Old Hamlet appears to Young Hamlet, and Young Hamlet alone; causing Gertrude to presume that her son is mad, talking to thin air. However, Hamlet convinces his Mother that he is not mad and tells her of Claudius’ plan involving Rosencrantz and Guildenstern taking him to England. Hamlet then exits dragging Polonius’ body behind him.

The scene opens with Polonius and Gertrude talking about their plan. Polonius says, “I’ll silence me” – line 4. This is known as dramatic irony as it is his vow of silence that he makes then contradicts that gets him killed in the end. It is also ironic that Polonius is hiding to ensnare Hamlet and finds himself trapped instead. When Hamlet arrives it is a very tense atmosphere because they both have matters to accuse and discuss with each other. However, whatever exploits Hamlet has committed to displease his mother, she cannot criticize and admonish him because Hamlet plays with her words and accusations so they rotate back to her. This can be shown below:

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Gertrude: Hamlet, thou hast thy father much offended.

Hamlet: Mother, you have my father much offended.

Gertrude: Come, come you answer with an idle tongue.

Hamlet: Go, go, you question with a wicked tongue. ”   - Lines 9-12

The way Hamlet does it in this context is that when Gertrude tries to bring to Hamlets attention that he is causing Claudius much distress, she refers to Claudius as Hamlets father. Gertrude also informs him, almost as if she were giving Hamlet the benefit of the doubt that he did not know he were inflicting this ...

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