Hamlet Act3, scene 2 by Mariana Pantano

Summary

102210221_1 — 2025-03-20 19:30:29 UTC

The play was about to begin. Trumpets and kettledrums enter. The king, queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, and other lords in attendance enter, along with the royal guard carrying torches. The king asks how cousin Hamlet is, and Hamlet replies, that he is fine. He speaks with Polonius about the play asking him if he has ever took part in one, which he replies with Julius Cesar. Hamlet is then asked to sit next to his mother but he refuses and takes place next to Ophelia in which he asks if he may lie his head on her lap. He speaks to the irony that is the fact that his mother is happy despite her husband dying only two months ago.

Characters

102210221_1 — 2025-03-20 19:32:10 UTC

Hamlet, King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern

Important Passage

102210221_1 — 2025-03-20 19:34:17 UTC

Hamlet "What should a man do but be merry?..." (Lines 129-141)

Key plot

102210221_1 — 2025-03-20 19:38:07 UTC

Hamlet refuses to sit next to his mother and instead sits next to Ophelia. Hamlet and Ophelia talk about his attitude, mentioning that he appears "merry". Hamlet replies to this ironically stating that he has no reason to be anything but merry because his father died only 2 months ago. He criticizes his mother for being happy despite his father dying only 2 months ago.

Setting

2025-03-21 19:01:40 UTC

The castle hall in Elsinore Castle (Theather).

Comments about important passages

2025-03-21 19:02:14 UTC

Hamlet's sarcastic responses show his bitterness and frustration with the fact that everyone acts joyful and happy when it has only been 2 months since his father's tragic death. He is offended by the fact that someone would even dare say he looks happy when logically he should be mourning, but he speaks to the words King Claudius told him at the coronation and ironically addresses the fact that a man should be happy even if his father just died recently.