The king states that he does not believe that Hamlet is mad because of his foiled love for Ophelia, or really mad at all, but tormented for some hidden reason.
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He then berates Ophelia, telling her off sarcastically and venomously, with the refrain, “Get thee to a nunnery,” or in other words, “Go become a nun to control your lust.” After this tirade, Hamlet exists, leaving Ophelia in shambles.Ĭlaudius and Polonius step out of their hiding place. Hamlet replies caustically, questioning Ophelia’s honesty. After a short conversation she attempts to return some of the remembrances that Hamlet gave when courting her. Hamlet enters and delivers the most famous speech in literature, beginning, “To be or not to be.” After this long meditation on the nature of being and death, Hamlet catches sight of Ophelia. They instruct Ophelia to pretend that she is simply reading a book and withdraw behind a tapestry. Polonius and Claudius then begin their plan to loose Ophelia on Hamlet and mark their encounter, hoping to find the root of his madness. They do mention, however, that Hamlet was very enthusiastic about the players’ performance that night, which prompts Claudius to agree to attend the play. The two reply that they have not been able to find its cause.
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Claudius asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern what they have learned about Hamlet’s malady. An entourage consisting of the king and queen, Polonius and Ophelia, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enters to begin the Act.