Hamlet, Acts 3, Grades 11-12

Act 3 of William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' contains some of the most pivotal and memorable moments in the play, including the famous 'To be, or not to be' soliloquy. This act delves deeper into the themes of appearance vs. reality, madness, and the question of action vs. inaction. Your responses should analyze these complex elements and their significance to the overall narrative. Use specific examples from the text to support your analysis.

Analyze Hamlet's 'To be, or not to be' soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1. What themes are explored in this speech, and how do they relate to Hamlet's character development?

Discuss the 'Mousetrap' play within the play and its outcome. How does Claudius's reaction to the play support or contradict Hamlet's suspicions about his guilt?

Examine the confrontation between Hamlet and Ophelia in Act 3, Scene 1. How does this interaction reflect the themes of love, madness, and deception?

Analyze the significance of the advice that Polonius and Claudius decide to spy on Hamlet's conversation with his mother, Queen Gertrude. What does this decision reveal about their characters and their relationships with Hamlet?

Evaluate the role of irony in Act 3, especially in the context of Hamlet's interactions with other characters. How does Shakespeare use irony to enhance the themes and character dynamics in the play?