Act 3 Scene 1

This act begins with a conversation between Claudius, Guildenstern, Rosencrantz, Polonius, and Gertrude. The two young men inform the King and Queen that Hamlet has admitted to going mad as of late, but they could not work out why. They also let them know that Hamlet is keen to be entertained by the actors who have come to the castle recently. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave after providing the information. Claudius gives Gertrude leave from Claudius and Polonius’ conversation about their secret plan to spy on Hamlet and Ophelia. Ophelia is once again used as a pawn in the plans of her conniving male superiors. They use her as bait to get Hamlet to talk and open up about his madness, in the hopes that he will confess his lovesick downfall. At this point, Polonius makes an astute observation using a religious allusion, that “’Tis too much proved, that with devotion’s visage / And pious action we do sugar o’er / The devil himself.” This means that many people have acted as though they were devoted to religion and God, if only to conceal their negative truths. It is an ironic comment on the state of Elizabethan society and their devotion to religion.