This scene is probably one of the most important as it is one of the rare ones where we catch sight of the genuine relationship between Hamlet and Gertrude, we also see Polonius at his most obsequious. It is additionally the first time we see Hamlet committing cold-blooded murder. This scene furthermore prepares us for the climax of the play, as it has given us an insight into what Hamlet is capable of. It is important for another reason, which is, that is shows us the reactions of different characters to different situations. For instance when Hamlet sees the Ghost and when Gertrude witnesses Polonius' murder. During the scene there could be a constant background noise of rain so that it adds to the eerie mood of the castle.
The scene begins with Polonius talking to Gertrude. It is quite dimly lit, with a few candles to give the impression of night. The corners of the room will be dark and a few other areas will be too. As this is at night and since Polonius wants to spy on Hamlet and give the impression that all is conventional, Gertrude will be wearing night-clothes. Polonius will be smart, as he wants to impress the Queen. When he talks to Gertrude it is quite hurried and in a slightly nervous tone as he is expecting Hamlet any moment "I'll silence me e'en here". As he wants to make an impact on the queen he continuously compliments the King and Queen, he does this now "that your grace hath screened and stood between much heat and him". When Hamlet calls "Mother, mother, mother!" Gertrude quickly tells Polonius to hide behind the arras and at that moment Hamlet walks through the door. Hamlet has not had a chance to get changed as he came from the play to where Claudius was supposedly praying to Gertrude's closet, so he will still be wearing his day clothes. For that reason Hamlet will be quite agitated already so he is not really perturbed with Gertrude's problems and monotonously says "Now mother, what's the matter?" When Hamlet next speaks it is very aggressive and forces Gertrude down onto the bed very forcefully when he says "come, come and sit you down, you shall not budge". The bed is used to symbolise how Hamlet feels for his mother, as he subconsciously desires his mother. Subsequently Gertrude cries out for help, which Polonius reacts to making Hamlet aware of his position consequently Hamlet draws his sword and stabs Polonius twice. He leaves the sword in there until he says "is it the king?" where he pulls it out and the body falls to the floor, and lightning strikes with a crack of thunder over the body so we can see who it is. This is similar the Olivier production, but very unlike the Branagh production, where Hamlet stabs Polonius many times in a very brutal attack. I believe that this is too brutal as Hamlet could contemplate killing someone but I do not think he would repeatedly stab someone so close to the family that many times. Although Hamlet does not actually know who is behind the arras, I think that he suspects Polonius, as he knows it's not Claudius. Even though he says, "is it the king?" since Hamlet just saw Claudius praying, before he came up to see Gertrude and he know that Polonius constantly interferes with matters of no concern to him. However Branagh most probably did it this way to show the aggression building up in Hamlet and also reinforcing the idea that it could be the king.
What shocks people the most is the fact that Hamlet did not even think about killing him, he just did it. This may be because he had just seen Claudius and still had the anger and hatred inside him and he did not really care who it was as long as he had killed someone. He could have thought it was Claudius as he says later "I took thee for thy better." Hamlet had the extra aggression building up as he felt that Gertrude must not trust him or otherwise why would she have Polonius spying on them. All through the scene Hamlet is very aggressive this can be shown in his facial expressions. In all three films Hamlet is portrayed as being very forceful to his mother and in Zeffirelli's film he is depicted as having sexual feelings towards his mother as he is shown thrusting on top of her. This is known as an Oedipus complex, where Hamlet unconsciously desires his mother in a sexual manner, and is extremely jealous of Claudius as not only did he inherit the crown but his mothers bed. This may also make him unable to commit in a loving relationship with Ophelia.
Gertrude becomes shocked at what Hamlet has just done "Oh me, what hast thou done?" here she stands in shock. Gertrude cannot really believe that her own son has committed a ruthless murder. This can be interpreted by Gertrude holding her head in her hands and not wanting to look at Hamlet or the dead body of Polonius. Hamlet tells Gertrude what Claudius has done "A bloody deed? Almost as bad, good mother, as kill a king and marry with his brother", she does not want to believe Hamlet as she says, "As kill a king?" Hamlet on the other hand looks at Polonius as a "wretched, rash, intruding fool" he pities Polonius. This is because he has always tried to get to the top by methods that have not always proved successful or helpful " by indirections find directions out".
Now Hamlet turns on Gertrude, he forces her down again and accuses her of having no sense of feeling "If damnèd custom have not brazed it so, that it be proof and bulwark against sense." He also accuses her of not knowing the meaning of marriage vows "makes marriage vows as false as dicers' oaths." He then compares the two husbands. He does this to show to Gertrude what she had and what she has now so she sees what a big mistake she made by marring Claudius and not seeing his true self.
Hamlet regards his father as one of the Gods "Hyperion's curls, the front of Jove himself, an eye like Mars, to threaten and command; a station like the herald Mercury" he also says "where every god did seem to set his seal". Followed by him talking about Claudius "like a mildewed ear". Like in many publications Hamlet will have the picture of King Hamlet around his neck in a locket and Gertrude will have the picture of Claudius around her neck in a similar fashion. Afterwards he begins to insult Gertrude about her inability to be in command of her sexual desires. Many people believe that Hamlet is so malevolent towards Ophelia because Hamlet sees Gertrude having no control over her life so he thinks that all women are like that and cannot make up their minds. Another reason is that he subconsciously loves his mother and cannot commit in another relationship. At this point Gertrude realises what she has done "Thou turn'st my eyes into my very soul, and there I see such black and grainèd spots as will not leave their tinct." However she does not want to hear any more and repeatedly tells him to stop "Oh speak to me no more. These words like daggers enter my ears ." "daggers" is a reoccurring theme as in Act 3 Scene 3 he says "I will speak daggers to her but use none." So in actual fact he achieved his goal.
When the ghost appears Hamlet goes quiet and speaks peacefully. He does this as he looks up to and respects his father also he is still quite scared of him even though it is his father it is still a ghost. Additionally Hamlet is worried what it might do to him because Hamlet has been offensive toward his mother, which was not part of the plan. The ghost is dressed in armour, as he was when he was living. The ghost reminds Hamlet of his purpose and tells him to comfort Gertrude "This visitation is but to whet thy almost blunted purpose. But look, amazement on thy mother sits. Oh step between her and her fighting soul" the ghost says this quietly, almost whispering. This statement shows that even though Gertrude married so soon after his death, King Hamlet still cares for her. Immediately after Hamlet comforts her and asks how she is doing, his tone of voice changes completely as if something just wash over him. Very confused by what just happened she asks Hamlet "Wheron do you look?" this could imply that Gertrude does not care as much for King Hamlet as Hamlet as she cannot see King Hamlet. It could also mean that King Hamlet would rather not appear before of Gertrude, as he still loves her and would not want to startle or upset her. Hamlet eventually convinces Gertrude that in reality he is not mad and asks for her forgiveness. He does this as he feels, on reflection of what the ghost said, that he was very harsh to Gertrude, also he upset her and is afraid of the ghost.
Hamlet subsequently requests Gertrude not to sleep with Claudius and tell him about the conversation and his 'antic disposition'. He threatens Gertrude and becomes quite aggressive again but not as much, Gertrude again becomes a little scared of Hamlet. Gertrude subsequently reassured Hamlet that she would not say anything "I have no life to breathe what though hast said to me." Hamlet reveals his plot to kill Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. He tells her this as he feels that she is on his side and he would like to remain as honest and loyal as possible to her. At this point Gertrude has been through so much she does not really take this in and so does not make much of a reaction. The scene ends with Hamlet dragging Polonius' body out of the room leaving Gertrude in a solitary moment. The lights dim all is quiet and all that is heard is the rain and the scene will end with a flash of lightning and a clap of thunder.
This scene prepares us for what is to come as it gives us an insight into what Hamlet is capable of. Additionally this is the first time a murder has taken place besides King Hamlet's murder.
This scene contains so many emotions that it is practically a play itself. I believe that the Branagh production worked the best as there was much more emphasis on the important parts of the scene although there was too much violence when killing Polonius. Also Gertrude does more to get away from Hamlet in this film than the others do as she turns away much more when he talks to her about Claudius and her failure to control her sexual feelings. His production also had more emotion to it and showed what was happening much more clearly.
This play has proved so popular through the ages as it contains something for everyone, as it ranges from romance to murder. Furthermore everyone can relate to it as it has many components of real life situated within the play, this made it, and made it stay so popular. There is also much more room to interpret the script so every time you see Hamlet performed by a different company you can be assured that you will get a new play each time.
