HAMLET –Act II (2.1 & 2.2)
Annotation Guidelines
ACT 2, SCENE 1
After the funeral and wedding occupying everyone’s attention in Denmark, Laertes has now returned to
France. His father, Polonius, (naturally!) is interested in how he’s doing and sets up spies to check in on
Laertes.
POLONIUS Re: Laertes
1) (lines 8-54) Summarize what instructions Polonius gives to Reynaldo – how should Reynaldo ‘get the
dirt’ on Laertes?
POLONIUS Re: Ophelia
2) (lines 87-112) What state was Hamlet in when he appeared to Ophelia? Underline specifics.
3) (line 113-119) What conclusion does Polonius make about Hamlet here?
4) (line 120-122) How was Ophelia the ‘dutiful daughter’ in her interactions with Hamlet?
ACT 2, SCENE 2
With the best character names in the play > enter Hamlet’s buddies: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Note
what plan King Claudius has for these two.
A LITTLE HELP FROM [HAMLET’S] FRIENDS…
1) (line 4-7) What has attracted Claudius (and Polonius’s) notice about Hamlet?)
2) (line 7-18) What does Claudius ‘blame’ for how Hamlet is acting, and what does he ask Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern to do?
AMBASSADORS’ REPORT
3) (lines 64-85). The Danish ambassadors Voltemand and Cornelius have returned from their expedition
to Norway. Key update here! Summarize what news the ambassadors bring Claudius about what young
Fortinbras’s uncle has done. (Young Fortinbras’s uncle is referred to as “Norway” here. )
POLONIUS TRYING TO ‘CRACK THE CASE’
4) (lines 97) If Polonius was in a sitcom right now, this line would be the “laugh line”. Why?! (What do
we know about him so far?)
5) (lines 115-135) Explain this section – what are the italicized words? And why is Polonius showing
these to Gertrude?
6) (line 175-181). Polonius loves his ‘gotcha’ plans! What plan has he hatched now to observe Hamlet
in action with Ophelia? (Summarize.) Be sure you know what an “arras” is.
7) (lines 124-222). Polonius observes that “though [Hamlet’s words] be madness, yet there is method [in
them]”. Jot down some ideas / some phrases that do seem to have some “method” in them – not just the
‘ravings of a madman’.
BACK TO HAMLET’S BOYS…
8) (line 261) How does Hamlet characterize Denmark, talking to his friends? Why would he say this?
9) (line 273-275) Highlight these important lines and do a quick close reading – what is he saying and
why?
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ACT 2, SCENE 2 continued
10) (lines 316-334). Hamlet comes clean to his friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about how he’s
feeling. Underline the imagery here that is most vivid in expressing Hamlet’s current state of mind.
11) (lines 339-342) Note Rosencrantz’s reference to “the players” that are coming to town. These
players are going to play a significant part in a key plot point – so tune in here!
12) (lines 402-403). Explain Hamlet’s words here: “I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is
southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw.”
THE PLAYERS
13) (lines 475-544). After Hamlet gives a lengthy (and, for him, enthusiastic) welcome to the players,
Hamlet remembers one of their performances of Priam’s slaughter. Your job here is to track the action as
Hamlet and the players describe this story. Play the movie in your mind to be sure you understand this
dramatic scene!
14) (lines 561-569) What play is Hamlet interested to hear if the players know? And what does he plan
to do with their already-prepared play?
SOLILOQUY TIME!!!
(lines 576-634) This is Hamlet’s second soliloquy and – while not the most famous – perhaps the most
significant soliloquy of the entire play. Jot down paraphrases in your own words every few lines to
make sure you have a solid understanding of this soliloquy!
Focal points:
 Why is Hamlet feeling like a ‘rogue and peasant slave’? What are the players SO able to do
that he is not?
 What point is Hamlet trying to make by his example of Hecuba?
 Jot down a list of Hamlet’s self-deprecating language. I’ll get you started:
 “rogue and peasant slave,”
 “a dull and muddy-mettled rascal”.
 Who, of course is the “villain”? And what adjectives does Hamlet use to describe him?
 Note the turn in the soliloquy from this self-hatred to scheming up a plan for the future…
(around line 617). Explain (in as much detail as you can) what Hamlet’s plan is. (A plan
that inspires his famous closing couplet: “The play’s the thing / Wherein I’ll catch the
conscience of the King.”)