Scene Summary

Act 3 Scene 1 Summary

             At the beginning of this scene, the Queen, King, Polonius, Ophelia, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz are discussing the sanity and behavior of Hamlet as of late. They have noticed he has become more depressed than usual and they hope that it is due to his love for Ophelia. Guildenstern and Rosencrantz exit and the King and Polonius decide to use Ophelia as a means of spying on Hamlet and confirming that Hamlet's love for Ophelia is indeed the cause of his behavior. She sits down with a book and pretends to read as Hamlet walks in and begins his famous and third soliloquy. After causing Ophelia distress both with his words and claim that he never loved her, he leaves. The King and Polonius come to the conclusion that Hamlet's affliction is not because of Ophelia, but because of something more sinister. The King decides he will send Hamlet to England, but Polonius desires to hear what Hamlet will say to the Queen.