“Hamlet” Act 2 Scene 2 Questions
1. Describe three examples from lines 169 – 217 that make Polonius believe
that Hamlet is mad.
2. What does Polonius mean when he says “How pregnant/ sometimes his
replies are!” (208 – 209)
3. When speaking to Rozencrantz and Guildenstern, why does Hamlet refers
to Denmark as a prison.
4. What does Hamlet mean when he says “for there is nothing/ either good
or bad but thinking makes it so”?
5. Hamlet realizes that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern cannot be trusted.
What does he let them know in lines 376-377?
6. Why does Hamlet call Polonius "Jephthah" in line 407?
7. What causes Hamlet to exclaim, "O, what a rogue and peasant slave am
I!"?
8. In the passage beginning with line 586, what plan does Hamlet devise?
9. In lines 596-601, why does Hamlet feel he must have evidence of
Claudius's guilt?
10. In thinking about Act 2, list examples of one or more characters spying on
another character.
11. Make a list of character traits Hamlet possesses, as seen in Acts 1 & 2.