Act III, Scene ii

" Give me some light, away!"
                      
                                                                                                                   -Claudius (III.ii.254)

This quote is the climax of the play, in which Claudius' guilt is revealed. Claudius panics, and that gives Hamlet all of the evidence that he needs to know who to kill to avenge his fathers death. This line is the moment of truth, where Hamlet and the reader find out that the ghost was real, and it really did tell the truth. It shows the thematic concerns of deception and revenge.

• Discuss an allusion and analyze why you think Shakespeare chooses to use it where he does.

When Hamlet is about to speak to his mother, he alludes to Nero. Nero was known for killing his mother. Hamlet says "O heart, lose not thy nature, let not ever/ The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom." I think that Shakespeare chose to allude to this myth because as Hamlet goes to Gertrude, he does not want to have feelings that will make him want to murder her as Nero did. 

This allusion shows a darker, more violent side of Hamlet that is not usually what he portrays. It is quite parallel to his actions towards Claudius, because he is hesitant to kill his uncle, yet the thought of killing his mother crosses his mind, to the point where he mentions is aloud. 

• Summarize the action of the scene(s) and discuss how the scene fits into the play as a whole.

In this scene, the play that Hamlet has edited is performed. Hamlet and Horatio observe Claudius' reaction with hopes that his guilt will be revealed. Upon realizing what the play is referring to, Claudius panics and demands that the lights be turned on. Hamlet is convinced that Claudius murdered his father. Hamlet and Horatio both come to the conclusion that the ghost was right. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern speak with Hamlet, and Hamlet lets them know that they are not fooling him. He does not trust his school friends, and tells them that they are not playing him like they think they are. Claudius gets upset, and Gertrude wishes to speak to Hamlet.

This scene fits into the play because from here on, the resolution will come. Hamlet knows the truth, and Claudius knows that Hamlet is aware. It is the climactic scene of the play. 

• Wild card: is there something you thought of? Write it!

I think that this was an extremely brilliant scene. The way that Shakespeare formed the play within a play, was creative and dramatic. I think that it was an excellent climax scene, because the truth was finally revealed. Claudius' reaction goes exactly as Hamlet planned. From this scene on, it will be interesting to see how things happen, and whether Hamlet ends up completing his revenge or not. What will happen to Hamlet? Claudius? What is Claudius thinking, now that he knows that Hamlet knows the truth?