Scene I. A room in the castle.
In a castle chamber, King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, Polonius, Ophelia, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern assemble. Claudius questions the reason for Hamlet’s “confusion” and his erratic behavior, asking Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to probe Hamlet further. He orders the pair to keep a close watch on Hamlet, hoping to uncover the source of his “turbulent lunacy.” Polonius and Gertrude agree to assist and plan to observe Hamlet’s interaction with Ophelia without being seen.
Claudius then instructs his servants that Hamlet will be summoned “by accident” so that he may “affront Ophelia,” allowing Claudius and Polonius to judge whether Hamlet’s distress stems from love. Gertrude promises obedience, and Ophelia is urged to read a book to disguise her loneliness. Claudius, aside, reflects on his guilty conscience.
After Claudius and Polonius exit, Hamlet enters and launches into the famous “To be, or not to be” soliloquy, contemplating life, death, and the unknown after death. He then notices Ophelia, addressing her as “fair Ophelia” and speaking of sin and repentance.
Ophelia greets Hamlet politely and offers gifts, which Hamlet denies having given. Their dialogue spirals into a series of riddles and accusations. Hamlet questions Ophelia’s honesty and beauty, declares that beauty can corrupt honesty, and confesses past love before retracting it. He denounces her, commands her to “get thee to a nunnery,” and attacks the institution of marriage, accusing her of potential sin and hypocrisy. Ophelia pleads for divine help; Hamlet continues with harsh rebukes, calling her false and predicting calamity.
Ophelia exits, lamenting Hamlet’s “noble mind” now “overthrown.” She reflects on his former virtues and his current madness.
Claudius and Polonius re-enter. Claudius comments that Hamlet’s “affections do not that way tend” and that his speech, though unstructured, hints at deeper melancholy. He decides that Hamlet should be sent swiftly to England, hoping the change of scenery will cure his “brains.” Polonius agrees, suggesting that the queen might alone confront Hamlet to gauge his grief, and offers to listen in on their conversation. Claudius affirms that madness in great men must not go unchecked and orders the plan to proceed.