Act III begins with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern talking with the king and queen about Hamlet's enthusiasm for the players. Polonius intends to spy on Hamlet's confrontation with Ophelia. Hamlet enters, thinking to himself whether or not he should commit suicide. "To be or not to be: that is the question." Hamlet sees Ophelia approaching. Ophelia basically breaks up with Hamlet, and hands him love letters her wrote to her. Angrily, Hamlet denies having given her anything. He then bitterly comments on humankind and criticizes women for making men behave like monsters. The king and Polonius emerge from behind the tapestry. Polonius doesn't believe that Hamlet is insane. However, Polonius tries to find out again if Hamlet is truly mad with love. Claudius plans to send Hamlet off to England.
In the next scene, Hamlet lectures the players on how to act. Hamlet tells Horatio the truth about Claudius. They both plan to detect any signs of guilt from Claudius during the play. The players enter and act out a play the depicts Hamlet's life, including when Claudius murdered his father. Claudius immediately rises and cries out. Hamlet and Horatio agree that the King's behavior was telling. After the play, King Claudius speaks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about sending Hamlet to England. When the king is alone, he expresses his guilt and grief over murdering his brother. A brother's murder, he says, is the oldest sin.
In Gertrude's chamber, the queen and Polonius wait for Hamlet's arrival. Hamlet storms into the room. Gertrude tells Hamlet that he has offended his father-uncle, Claudius. Hamlet accosts her with a violent intensity. Polonius, who is hiding behind the tapestry, calls for help. Thinking it's Claudius, Hamlet stabs the tapestry and kills Polonius. Suddenly, the ghost appears and has come to remind Hamlet of his true purpose. Hamlet convinces Gertrude to keep his secret that he is mad. Hamlet exits and drags Polonius's body behind him.
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