Hamlet
Act II, scene i
KDDK
1. What is ironic about Polonius’
attempt to learn about Laertes’ life in
Paris?
• If Reynaldo follows Polonius’ instruction, he will
essentially ruin Laertes’ reputation while trying to
gather information.
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2. Why would Polonius immediately
jump to the conclusion that Hamlet is
mad for Ophelia’s love?
• Ophelia’s description of Hamlet in unfastened
and rumpled clothing is the Renaissance
convention of the “man suffering from
unrequited love.” As Ophelia has broken off al
contact with Hamlet—at Polonius’
command—he readily interprets his
appearance and actions, as described by
Ophelia, to be signs of unrequited love.
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3. Consider how the episode of Hamlet
in Ophelia’s closet promises to
contribute to the overall calamity of
the tragic plot?
• Ophelia has now allied herself with those who oppose
Hamlet. If Hamlet does indeed love Ophelia, then her
breaking up with him is just another betrayal—like his
mother’s hasty marriage to his uncle and her role in his
father’s murder. If he does not really love her, then he
is using her to advance his madness ruse. In either
event, she is now involved in the intrigue and
corruption of the court and will probably not escape
being destroyed in the calamity.
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Hamlet
Act II, scene ii
KDDK
1. Are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
willing spies for Claudius and
Gertrude?
• Probably not. Gertrude flatters them by telling
them that Hamlet often speaks of them as his
favorite childhood friends and still feels a good
bit of affection for them. Claudius frames his
“request” in terms of two friends finding out
what is wrong with their third friend so that
they can help his family find the remedy.
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2. What effect is created by the scenes
between Hamlet and Polonius being in
prose?
• Hamlet’s part of the dialogue relies on slang
and puns. Shakespeare wants to emphasize
these. Polonius’ prose responses also highlight
his own foolishness and lack of wit.
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3. What are some of the slang
expressions and puns Hamlet uses in
his first exchange with Polonius? Why
are they significant?
• First Hamlet calls Polonius a “fishmonger,” literally a
lower-class hawker of common fish from a wagon.
“Fishmonger” has also been generally regarded to
mean some form of a pimp, given the fact that
Polonius first ordered his daughter to sever her
relationship with Hamlet and then later ran to the king
excitedly to report that Hamlet was truly in love with
her. He has already arranged to spy on his own
daughter and Hamlet in order to maintain or increase
his political influence with the king and queen.
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• When Polonius asks Hamlet what he is
reading, Hamlet replies, “Words.” When
Polonius follows up with “What is the
matter?” meaning what is the subject matter
of the words Hamlet is reading, Hamlet
responds to another understanding of the
question(what is the problem): “Between
who?”
• Later, Polonius says he will “take” his leave,
and Hamlet responds there is nothing he
would give more willingly; thus Polonius does
not need to “take” it since Hamlet will gladly
“give” it.
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4. What is Hamlet’s initial reaction to
the appearance of Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern?
• He is glad to see them, yet as the scene
progresses, he wonders if they were sent for
and wants them to be honest with him.
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5. Why are Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern hesitant to admit that
they are in Elsinore because the king
and queen sent for them?
• On the one hand, to admit that they were sent
for might be to admit that they are spies; they
did not think to come on their own but came
when they were summoned. Note that they
confess to being summoned only when
Hamlet demands that, if they love him, they
will tell him.
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7. Why does Shakespeare introduce a
troupe of traveling players into the
action of the play?
• The players will be the vehicle by which
Shakespeare can evaluate various characters’
reactions to events and characters in the play.
Hamlet can assess his own inaction in terms of
the actor’s pretended grief. Hamlet can also
use the scene portraying his father’s murder
to observe Claudius’ and Gertrude’s reactions.
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