top of page

Act 2

Act 1: Polonius sends his servant Reynaldo to Paris to question Laertes's acquaintances. Ophelia enters, deeply disturbed about a visit she has just had from an apparently mad Hamlet. Polonius decides that Hamlet has been made insane by Ophelia's refusing to see him. Polonius rushes off to tell the king.

 

Act 2: Claudius and Gertrude set Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two boyhood friends of Hamlet, to spy on him. When Hamlet himself enters, he is confronted first by Polonius and then by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, whom he quickly identifies as Claudius's spies. As they talk, a company of touring actors enters. Hamlet persuades one of them to deliver a speech, and recognises, to his shame, that he has shown less intensity in avenging his father's murder than the actor has done in performance. Hamlet hopes that when the players stage The Murder of Gonzago for the court, he can determine whether Claudius is guilty of King Hamlet's death.

 

Questions

  1. How does Shakespeare use setting and characterisation to establish that “something is rotten in the state of Denmark?” 

  2. How is the idea of deception or a hidden agenda shown in these scene?

    1. Polonius to Laertes (I.3.64-87)

  3. Some of the advice is very general and trying to help

    1. But it can also be interpreted that if he exposed in a bad light then Laertes’s actions could be connected back to Polonius

    2. Polonius wants Laertes to keep to himself so he won’t be vulnerable

    3. But generally, very general and not too overprotective.

  4. Conversation between Polonius and Ophelia (I.3.98-145)

    1. Polonius is more worried about Ophelia’s actions than Laertes.

    2. Polonius is more aggressive with Ophelia when expressing his opinions.

    3. Very commanding

  5. Hamlet’s soliloquy (I.5.99-119)

  6. Hamlet’s plans (I.5.185-212)    

  7. Conversation between Polonius and Reynaldo (start of Act II)

  8. Hamlet to Ophelia (II.1.87-112)

  9. Ophelia isn’t able to express 

  10. Quotes that express corruption

    1. “My father's brother, but no more like my father. Than I to Hercules: within a month: Ere yet the salt of most unrighteous tears.”

    2. “Had left the flushing in her galled eyes, She married. O, most wicked speed, to post. With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!”

    3. “A serpent stung me; so the whole ear of Denmark. Is by a forged process of my death? Rankly abused: but know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father's life. Now wears his crown.”

    4. “Against thy mother aught: leave her to heaven. And to those thorns that in her bosom lodge, To prick and sting her.”

    5. “My father's spirit in arms! all is not well; I doubt some foul play: would the night were come! Till then sit still, my soul: foul deeds will rise, Though all the earth o'erwhelm them, to men's eyes.”

bottom of page