SARAH: Hamlet vows here to clear all other memories and reflections from his head, so that his thoughts will focus solely on the ghost's command to seek revenge. This vow is interesting if we contrast it to the other paternal advice or commands we heard from Polonius in Act 1, scene 3. Polonius's advice to Laertes adds up to over a dozen prescriptions, while Hamlet's dead father gives him one single command.

RALPH: Likewise, Polonius's advice reinforces social mores and norms, while Hamlet sees his father's advice as standing in opposition to everything else he has been taught. In fact, we might read Hamlet's phrase, "All saws of books," as referring precisely to the kind of proverbial advice given by Polonius.

SARAH: It's also interesting to note that, despite Hamlet's own wish to keep only one thing in his mind, he changes topics even within the same monologue. The phrase "baser matter" with its connotation of lesser or lower, seems to call up the image of his lustful mother in his mind, which then brings him to Claudius, the smiling villain.

RALPH: That's a great observation, Sarah. It's almost as if it were impossible for Hamlet to have a one-track mind — his thoughts are constantly moving, and making connections, even when he most wants them to be settled on one thing only.