Hamlet 3.1

1. This scene opens with the the King, Queen, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern. They are discussing why Hamlet may be mad. Rosencrantz and Guildernstern leave and the King and Polonius decide that they will use Ophelia as bait to further understand Hamlet. When Hamlet enters, they withdraw and watch. Hamlet gives his third soliloquy and then realizes Ophelia is present. He then proceeds to argue with her until he realizes that he has been betrayed and they are watching him. The King and Polonius then decide that they will send Hamlet to England.

2. Without this scene the play would lose a lot because it is here that the King decides that he must do away with Hamlet, so time is running out for either the King to get rid of Hamlet or Hamlet kill the King.

4. The King says "Thus set it down: he shall with speed to England." This line means that not only are they going to send Hamlet to England but they are going to have him killed there. It would hurt the King's reputation if he killed Hamlet because Hamlet is incredibly popular. The deed must be done secretively out of the country. Sending someone to "England" has a deeper, darker meaning.