Hamlet accosts her with an almost violent intensity and declares his intention to make her fully aware of the profundity of her sin. Fearing for her life, Gertrude cries out.
From behind the arras, Polonius calls out for help. He draws his sword and stabs it through the tapestry, killing the unseen Polonius.
He turns to his mother, declaring that he will wring her heart. He shows her a picture of the dead king and a picture of the current king, bitterly comments on the superiority of his father to his uncle, and asks her furiously what has driven her to marry a rotten man such as Claudius.
She pleads with him to stop, saying that he has turned her eyes onto her soul and that she does not like what she sees there. Hamlet continues to denounce her and rail against Claudius, until, suddenly, the ghost of his father again appears before him.
Hamlet speaks to the apparition, but Gertrude is unable to see it and believes him to be mad. The ghost intones that it has come to remind Hamlet of his purpose, that Hamlet has not yet killed Claudius and must achieve his revenge.
Noting that Gertrude is amazed and unable to see him, the ghost asks Hamlet to intercede with her. Hamlet describes the ghost, but Gertrude sees nothing, and in a moment the ghost disappears. Hamlet tries desperately to convince Gertrude that he is not mad but has merely feigned madness all along, and he urges her to forsake Claudius and regain her good conscience. He urges her as well not to reveal to Claudius that his madness has been an act. Hamlet reminds his mother that he must sail to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, whom he says he will regard with suspicion, as though they were poisonous snakes, since he assumes that their loyalties are with Claudius, not with him.
Presumably, he counseled King Hamlet as well. An actor portraying Polonius should address the question of whether he is a devoted father or a ruthless politician. Does he send Reynaldo to spy on Laertes because he cares about his son, or is he worried about what Laertes' possible behavior might reflect back on his own character?
Is he more concerned with his position in Denmark than with the welfare of his children? Is he then the victim of his own contrivances? But what might you think, When I had seen this hot love on the wing If circumstances lead me, I will find At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him. Be you and I behind an arras then. Away, I do beseech you, both away I'll board him presently.
O, give me leave. Still harping on my daughter. Yet he knew me not at first. He said I was a fishmonger. He is far Indeed, that is out o' th' air. The best actors in the world, either for tragedy, comedy, history, pastoral, pastoral-comical, historical-pastoral, If you call me Jephthah, my lord, I have a daughter that I love passing well.
Look, whe'r he has not turn'd his colour, and has tears in's eyes. Prithee no more! Ophelia, walk you here. It shall do well. But yet do I believe The origin and commencement of his grief My lord, he's going to his mother's closet. Behind the arras I'll convey myself He will come straight. Look you lay home to him. Tell him his pranks have been too broad to bear with, Return to the "Hamlet" menu.
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