Part 1 Section 3 (page 39 to 78) Summary

Gerutha is now thirty-one, and Hamlet is thirteen. Gerutha feels ever more detached from the things that should give her pleasure, her husband and son. One day, she asks Corambus to come speak with her. She asks his opinion of Amleth. He reports that Amleth's skills with swords and horses are excellent. She worries about Amleth's moodiness, fears that he is "hard-hearted," and that she has been a failure as a mother. Corambus tries to reassure her, saying that his moodiness may be no more than his trying on different roles, like the actors who interest him so much, and even Yorik. He says that Amleth will answer the call of duty, when it comes. She unburdens herself to him about Horwendil. He's all the man that her father promised, but not her choice. He's a man...