Act 3, Scenes 3 and 4, Hamlet Summary

Scene 3 - Claudius orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to accompany Hamlet to England and make sure he does as he's told. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to their orders, and go. Polonius hurries in to say that Hamlet is on his way to see Gertrude, and that he (Polonius) will hide behind an arras (tapestry) to hear what he says. After Polonius goes, Claudius tries to pray, but finds he can't - guilt is overwhelming his desire to repent. He realizes he can't ask for forgiveness for the killing, since he still has and values what he gained from it - his crown, his power, and his queen. He cries out his frustration at feeling so trapped and then forces himself to his knees.

Hamlet appears, and contemplates taking his revenge then and there, killing Claudius while he's at...