Hamlet Act Two

1
Hamlet Act Two
2
Act Two, Scene One

• Polonius asks Reynaldo to give Laertes some money
  and a letter (Reynaldo is going to Paris to check
  up on Laertes)
• Ophelia comes to Polonius and tells him that
  Hamlet visited her and scared her because
• Grabbed her wrists
• Pale/messed up clothes
• He was the perfect image of the mad lover
• Polonius believes that Hamlets lovelorn
  behaviour is sincere, and that Polonius should
  report it to Claudius

3
Scene Two

• Claudius and Gertrude employ Rosencrantz and
  Guildenstern in finding out why Hamlet is acting
  so crazily
• Polonius then enters (hes a windbag who wants to
  know it all) and tells CG that Hamlet is mad
  with love
• Queen Gertrude in line56-57 acknowledges that
  its probably her marriage and Hamlet Sr.s death
• Voltimand brings information brings news that
  young Fortinbras will not invade Denmark rather,
  he is just marching through.
• Polonius will spy on Hamlet and Ophelia together
• HOMEWORK Finish reading Act 2 scene 2
• Focus on lines 297-315 AND lines 552-610
• HW check! tomorrow

4

• Polonius has a private conversation with Hamlet
  and recognizes that Hamlets words have meaning
  beyond what he says
• Line 206 Though this be madness, yet there is
  method in it.
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter and Hamlet is
  happy to see them and throws off his antic
  disposition for a moment
• Hamlet suspiciously asks RG why they came and
  finally gets the information that they were sent
  for by CG
• Lines 297-314 IMPORTANT! He speaks of all the
  wonderful things that humans can doand then is
  despondent because he is not happy with
  men/women.

5

• Rosencrantz tells Hamlet that the players are
  coming to court (actors who put on plays for the
  entertainment of the nobles)
• Polonius entersplayers enter
• Hamlet asks for a speechdemonstrates Hamlets
  patronage of the arts (education)
• Speech reflects Hamlets feelings loss of the
  King (Hamlet Sr.)
• Polonius notices how upset Hamlet is made by the
  speech (reference to dead King)
• Hamlet asks the player to put on the playThe
  Murder of GonzagoHamlet is going to add some of
  his own lines to it

6

• Now I am Alone soliloquy lines 553-610
• Feels alonehappy to be alone
• Angry with himself
• Hasnt got control over the situation
• Angry that he has not taken action in response to
  his fathers murder
• ACTION The play will reenact the murder of
  Hamlet SR.
• Hamlet will watch Claudius reaction
• the plays the thing
• Wherein Ill catch the conscience of the king