Hamlet Act II Questions
Kristen Mittelsteadt
1. Does Hamlet really love Ophelia? What does it mean if he does? What does it mean if he
doesn’t? Where in the play does it suggest that Hamlet does love Ophelia and where does
it suggest that he doesn’t?
2. Polonius claims, "Though this be madness, yet there is / method in’t" (2.2 223-224). It
seems that in some stories, the person who is deemed mad or crazy actually is wiser that
the other characters who could be deemed sane. Where in the play does it show that
Hamlet is wise and what does his wisdom mean in relation to the story as a whole?
3. In Act 2, the theme of what is real versus what is an illusion comes up. Where in Act 2
does this theme emerge and what messages are being conveyed through the theme?
4. What is Hamlet’s purpose is talking to Polonius about "the sun breed[ing] maggots in a
dead / dog" (2.2 197-198)?
Matt Warren
1. What is the “art” (act II, sc. II, ln.103) that the Queen accuses
Polonius of using, and how does it shape or define his character as a whole?
How is this trait made evident in Act II? Use examples from the text to
support your answer.
2. What does Hamlet mean when he says “for yourself, sir, shall grow old as
I am, if, like a crab, you could go backward.” (act II, sc. II, lns.
220-222), and in what ways does he make his meaning clear through his
discourse to Polonius and others?
3. How does Hamlet contrast himself with the visiting actor (player) at the
end of the Act II, and what do the different levels of comparison seem to
suggest about his feelings concerning the revenge of his father?
Carly Kummerlowe
1) In the beginning of the play Hamlet seems to desire an escape from his human form because
he sees it as restrictive, “O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt,/ Thaw, and resolve itself
into a dew…” (1.2.133-134). However he mentions something to the contrary during the second
act, “I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king…” (2.2.273). Does this represent
a shift in the way Hamlet views the world? If so, is there any evidence surrounding the change to
support it further and/or does his view change at any other time in the play?
2) A theme of restraint becomes apparent at the end of the first act and throughout the second.
When Hamlet defies the orders given to him by Marcellus and Horatio (not to approach the
ghost) does he begin a chain of rebellion that will eventually lead him to murder? In what other
parts of the play does Hamlet show this aversion for society? Does the ghost simply serve as a
catalyst for his breach?
3) Many forms of poison are alluded to directly and indirectly in this play. There is the
“...hebona in a vial” which kills the King, the ‘poisoned’ rotting nature, and the ‘poisoned’
marital bed of Hamlet’s mother and uncle (1.5.69). Which type influences Hamlet in a greater
way, the natural poison of the world (his references to rot and weeds) or the unnatural poison of
abnormal events (i.e. the incestuous marriage and ghost)?
Karyn Campbell
What is/are Polonius’ motive(s) in sending Renaldo to spy on Laertes?
What is Hamlet’s attitude toward Polonius and why?
How will exposing Claudius’ conscience further Hamlet’s revenge (look at the last soliloquy)?
Alison Colnon
Polonius lacks trust in everyone, even his own son. Does Shakespeare give any clues as to where
this lack of trust originated?
He puts forth good intentions seeming to try to protect his daughter, Ophelia, from Hamlet, yet,
is he doing this out of the goodness of his heart or is this all just a scheme made up to try to win
the new King’s good side?
Who does Polonius care for more, Ophelia or himself?
2.1. Lines 273 -275
What is Hamlet trying to say here?
What are Hamlet’s bad dreams he claims to have?
Could this reference to being king be foreshadowing the future throne for himself?
Jordan Becerril
1. Hamlet’s confrontation with the ghost and struggle over what to do with the knowledge
could be described as a conflict between the id and the ego. How do the two sides of
Hamlet’s personality manifest themselves and how does this offer meaning to the novel?
2. Hamlet states that “a dream itself is but a shadow.” Explain this allusion in response to
Hamlet’s predicament and how it relates to the meaning of the work.
3. Polonius could be described as both a manipulator and a doodling old fool, offer evidence
to support either side of the argument.
Devon Mills
2.1
1. When Polonius instructs Reynaldo to investigate Laertes’s activities in Paris, he compares
Reynaldo’s techniques to hunting: “Your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth; / With
windlasses and with assays of bias, / By indirections find directions out” (2.1.73). What is the
significance of this? What does this reflect about Polonius and his relationship with Laertes?
Analyze the two references to hunting and use apt references to the text.
2. Examine Ophelia’s description of her encounter with Hamlet (2.1.99-112). Pay particular
attention to the lines, “He raised a sigh… end his being” and, “He seemed to find his way… their
light on me.” Why is Hamlet’s sigh “piteous”? What might the “shattering” sigh reveal, allude
to, or foreshadow? What is the significance of Hamlet finding his way “without his eyes”? Use
apt references to the text.
3. Polonius tells Ophelia that the “very ecstasy of love” has a “violent property,” and references
destruction caused by love throughout 2.1.113-134. What is the significance of Polonius’s
associations between love and destruction? Where else in the play does love accompany or
cause destruction? Use apt references to the text.
2.2
1. In signing his letter to Ophelia, Hamlet refers to his body as a “machine” (2.2.131-132). What
does this reflect about Hamlet? Discuss the implications of this reference in a text-based
response.
2. Hamlet says to Polonius, “For if the sun breed maggots in a dead / dog, being a good kissing
carrion—Have you a / daughter” (2.2.197-199). What does this mean in regards to both death
and Ophelia? Are the two connected? Reinforce your claims with apt references to the text.
3. Examine the personification of Fortune in the discussion between Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and
Guildenstern (2.2.245-254). What is the significance of this? How do diction and imagery
convey meaning in this passage? Use apt references to the text.
Dana Jackson
Act 2 Scene 1
1. Why does Polonius ask Reynaldo to question Laertes’s acquaintances “with windlasses and
with assays of bias” (72)?
Hopefully the answer to this would reference parental spying. If Laertes found out that Polonius
was spying on him through his acquaintances, he might be angry.
2. In the context of the play up to this point, what is the value of portraying Hamlet as base and
mad? Consider that this is a comparison to opposite portrayals of him earlier in the play.
3. In Ophelia’s speech from lines 87- 94, what literary devices does Shakespeare use to amplify
meaning?
The answer could be about enjambment, exaggeration, or imagery.
Act 2 Scene 2
1. What is the significance of the King and Queen spying on Hamlet through Guildenstern and
Rosencrantz, and what is the significance of Hamlet figuring out the ploy so quickly?
2. Why is it important that Hamlet is reprimanding himself for not taking quick and intense
action to avenge his father’s death?
Hopefully the answer would touch on foreshadowing.
3. What is the significance of Hamlet’s and Polonius’s interruption of First Player’s speech in
lines 523- 529?
Lindsay Etheredge
1.
What are the specific references to earthly matter (2.2.316-334) and what
do they reveal about Hamlet’s view on life and the struggles he faces?
2.
Hamlet compares himself several times to Hercules (1.2.158 and 2.2.384)
What does this show about his self-image? What might he see as his strengths and weaknesses?
3.
What specific imagery does Ophelia use to describe Hamlet’s state in
2.1.87 and what does it show about her feelings towards him?
Sarah Stringer
Act 1 Questions:
1) Looking at King Cornelius’ [Claudius’?] speech in Act 1, Sc. 2, especially at lines 98-107,
distinguish the King’s different uses of religion and reason. How does he use them to influence
Hamlet?
2) Discuss the significance of speaking and the power of voice in Act 1.(Look specifically at the
Ghost and Hamlet, and Polonius and Ophelia.)
3) Trace the motif of fire throughout Act 1(some helpful references include sc. 1, lines 127-130;
sc. 5, lines 15-19). What is the significance of these images of burning and fire?
Act 2 Questions:
1) What is the meaning of Hamlet’s words when he says, “O God, I could be bounded in a
nutshell/ and count myself a King of infinite space, were it not/ that I have bad dreams”(273275)?
2) Why does Hamlet glorify reason and philosophy, if “thinking makes it/ so. To me, it is a
prison”(Act 2, sc. 2 269-270)?
3) Discuss the conflict between Hamlet’s passion for philosophy and reason, and his belief in
God and fate. Which does he ultimately place greater faith in? Which does he turn to in times of
trouble?
Dorothy Hager
1. Why does Polonius suddenly change his mind in regards to his feelings on Hamlets "love" of
his daughter? i.e. first he bid her never to see or hear of Him but now he fears his actions have
driven Hamlet to madness. Would he now allow his daughter to be courted by Hamlet or does he
still fear Hamlets unpredictable personality?
2. Why is hamlet still questioning the validity of the ghost and its story? What does this show
about Hamlets character?
3. Is it an act of cowardice (skirting around direct confrontation with his uncle) or intelligence
when Hamlet instructs the players to act out a play’s, which plot mirror the murder of his father?
Kristina Sorg
1)
Does Hamlet believe in fate or free will? Support your answer with evidence from the
text.
2)
So far in the play there have been many references to things that are “base” or earthly,
such as the satyr versus Hyperion. How do theses references add to the meaning of the
novel?
3) Compare and contrast three significant relationships from the play (Hamlet and father,
Polonius and Laertes, Queen and King, ect.). How do the similarities and differences in
these relationships add to the meaning of the play?
Tamara McGuckin
1. As Ophelia confesses her fear of Hamlet’s apparent “mad” profession of
love to her, she describes, “as I was sewing in my closet,/ Lord Hamlet,
with his doublet all unbraced,/ No hat upon his head, his stockings fouled,
/Ungartered, and down-gyved to his ankle,/ Pale as his shirt, his knees
knocking each other,/ And with a look so piteous in purport/ As if he had
been loosed out of hell/ To speak of horrors- he comes before me”
(2.1.87-94). These visions she presents of him being reckless and tattered
as he comes to her suggest that he is truly “Mad for thy love” as Polonius
suggests (2.1.95). Is Hamlet truly possessed by a madness for Ophelia’s
love, or is he possessed by a madness surrounding his encounter with the
ghost of his father? Is his obsession with Ophelia an “Act” or way for him
to control his madness about his ghostly encounter?
2. Shakespeare makes many references to pregnancy and conception. Polonius
notes: “How pregnant sometimes [Hamlet’s] replies are” (2.2.226). Amidst his
madness, there is some coherent meaning within his speech. Additionally,
Hamlet states to Polonius, “Conception is a blessing” (2.2.201). This
pregnancy and conception can be seen in several ways. Does Shakespeare
intend to shed light on the fact that Hamlet’s apparent insanity is actually
an outer shell, or outer expression, “pregnant” with his complete sanity
that lies within? Or, is he illuminating the formulation of Hamlet’s
“madness” or even the beginning of something? Could it even be relating to
the incestuous marriage of his mother and uncle, which could produce a
corrupt and evil “pregnancy” or “conception?”
3. There are several references to blindness, or the inability to see in Act
II. Ophelia describes Hamlet to her father. She indicates “He seemed to find
his way without his eyes, / For out o’ doors he went without their helps/
And to the last bended their light on me” (2.1.110). Is this a reference to
his blindness in his father’s murder, or to his blindness in direction? He
seems to be having trouble deciding how to act against Claudius, and
deciding if he should even act or not. Is this blindness in direction what
Shakespeare is trying to express?
Lindsay Powers
Act II, Scene 1 Questions:
• What is the significance of Ophelia’s monologue describing her encounter with the
“mad” Hamlet? Especially focusing on the lines “He raised a sigh so piteous and
profound /As it did seem to shatter all his bulk” (2.1. 106-107)? Does this have any
relation to his statement in the previous Act about his relationship and his father’s to
Hercules? Is Hamlet becoming closer or farther from Hercules in this moment with
Ophelia?
• In style analysis, what is the importance of the word “significance” in Act II, Scene 1, as
it is repeated 3 times? What is the consequence Polonius refers to in this section?
• When Ophelia says to Polonius “but I truly do fear it”, in response to his questioning if
Hamlet was “mad for thy love”, what could this statement also mean or allude to? Does
she fear his love or his ulterior motives in relation to his father’s death?
Act II, Scene 2 Questions:
• What is the significance of the King and Queen having Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
“spy” on Hamlet? Does spying occur anywhere else in this section?
• Why do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern freely submit their will to the King and Queen
when they say “but we both obey, /And here give up ourselves in the full bent/To lay our
service freely at your feet, / to be commanded” (2.2.31-34)? Why are they so submissive
to the King and Queen’s motives?
• In Polonius’ speech to the King and Queen;” I would fain prove so…and all we mourn
for it” (2.2.140-160) what imagery is used to help personify the love between Hamlet and
Ophelia? How could these images be used to skew the love between the two for
Polonius’ sake?
Jack Evert
1. How does the reader’s third person view of Hamlet affect our understanding of him.
2. How does Hamlet create the impression of madness, purposefully or not?
3. Why do the King and Queen want Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet, and why
do the two agree to do so, since they are supposedly Hamlet’s best friends?
Katie Phelps
Act 2
Scene 1
1. Why does Polonious initially hesitate at the idea of Ophelia marrying Hamlet in Act
1, and then seemingly become gleeful at the prospect of Hamlet going mad over the
denial of her attentions?
2. Family loyalty is very important in this play. How do you see Ophelia’s loyalty to her
father as an effect in Hamlet’s possible insanity?
3. How are women treated so far in this play? Are they, like Lady Macbeth, subtle
instruments of power, or merely meek, housewives eager to do man’s bidding?
Scene 2
1. Do you believe the ghost of Hamlet’s father is real, or a devil coming to trick
Hamlet? If so, is Claudius’ concern for Hamlet’s madness genuine? Or does he think
he can lure Hamlet into security and then betray him?
2. Why does Hamlet put in the façade of insanity in public, and then return to a cool and
calculating sanity in private? Is he attempting to mask his intentions?
3. Why does Shakespeare continually mention both Greek mythology and Christianity?
What is achieved by alluding to both?
Tara McLauchlan
1. Hamlet refers to Polonius as Jephthah, the biblical man who was forced to sacrifice his
daughter because of a rash vow. What is the vow that Hamlet views as Polonius making
to consider his beloved Ophelia as being ‘sacrificed?’
2. Does Hamlet know that Ophelia is Polonius’s daughter? What is the significance, for
either position, of his constant pregnancy mentionings? (II.2, starting with 184)
3. What is the significance of the players? Note: the players are first mentioned to Hamlet as
being only the tragedians, but later as being every type of actor in the country…following
the play perhaps?
Nick Lenning
1. What does Hamlet hope to achieve by acting insane?
2. Why is Polonius so eager to rid his daughter of Hamlet, besides the obvious reason that
he cannot marry her?
3. Why is Polonius so curious as to the actions of his son, Laertes, in Paris?
1. Why is the King so doubtful of Hamlet’s insanity?
2. Why does Hamlet not simply take his revenge and kill Claudius instead of setting up the
play to test him?
3. Why does Polonius seem so afraid and weary of Hamlet, besides the relationship between
Hamlet and his daughter?
Oliver Webster
1. What does Polonius’ conversation with Reynaldo at the beginning of scene one reveal about
Polonius’ character? What does the “base of falsehood” and the “carp of truth” have to do with
the plot? Could there be a connection here to Hamlets referral to him being a fishmonger?
2. How does the perception of madness differ from Polonius and Hamlet? How does
Shakespeare use language and imagery to show where these perceptions come from?
3. What is the significance of Hamlet’s speech to the players at the end of scene two? Could
there be a connection between the characters in “Aeneas’ tale to Dido” to the characters that
surround Hamlet in the present? How does the imagery that Shakespeare offers contribute to the
atmosphere of the story?
Matthew Butler
1. Both Hamlet and the ghost of Hamlet the elder refer to Claudius and the Queen’s
marriage as incestuous. The ghost refers to the marriage in Act 1, Scene 5, Line 49, and
Hamlet does in Act 1, Scene 2, lines 159-162, yet none else refer to the marriage as
incestuous. Discuss the implications of some of the other character’s speech regarding the
new king and queen and their hasty marriage. Why does Hamlet and the Ghost so quickly
assume the marriage is incestuous, a religious sin, and yet no others seem to be bothered
by it?
2. At the end of Act 2, scene 2, lines 617- 635, Hamlet believes that Claudius will show his
apparent guilt during the play, dually confirming the ghost’s accusations and giving
Hamlet more reason to avenge the therefore certain wrongdoing. Observe Hamlet’s way
to decide whether or not Claudius is guilty and if it is a rational and accurate way for him
to determine the guilt of Claudius. Discuss this in relation to Hamlet’s personality and
character and whether or not it should be successful.
3. When Hamlet encounters Polonius in Act 2, Scene 2, lines 183-237, Hamlet repeats some
words or phrases three times, most notably “words, words, words” on line 210, and
“except my life, except my life, except my life” on lines 234-235. As he enters the scene
reading a book, this could mean that Hamlet is paying little attention to Polonius or that
he is merely being extremely introspective. What are Hamlet’s intentions in mystifying
Polonius in this scene? Note Polonius’s side notes and consider the text in its entirety
while you consider
Carl Seip
1. Ophelia states, upon meeting Polonius that Hamlet “took me by the wrist and held me
hard... (109)”. Polonius sees Hamlets acts as “the very ecstasy of love…” (114). Using
textual evidence, show support that would reinforce OR refute Polonius’ comments.
2. Late in Act 2, Scene 1, Ophelia describes an encounter that she has had with Hamlet. She
speaks of him: “He seemed to find his way without his eyes, / For out o’ doors he went
without their helps / And to the last bended their light on me.” (113-115). Do you agree
with Ophelia’s observation that Hamlet tends to “find his way without his eyes”? Support
your answer with textual evidence.
3. Much of early Act 2, Scene 1 contains Polonius speaking with his “man” Reynaldo. One
could argue that Reynaldo is only placed in this scene so that Polonius doesn’t “have” a
huge soliloquy, but has many short comments that are interspaced with Reynaldo’s
agreement and satisfaction. Do you think that this is true? Why would it be important that
Shakespeare not give Polonius a huge monologue? Support your answers with references
to the text.
4. Starting at line 117, Polonius reads from a letter that was written by Hamlet to Ophelia.
He reads it in the presence of the Queen and King. Why do you think that Polonius
considers the letter important enough to read to the King & Queen (so that they know the
contents of the letter is not acceptable!)? Is there an alternate motive present? Show your
thinking with support from the text.
5. Why do you think that Polonius is not in support of the love of Hamlet towards his
daughter Ophelia? Using support from the text, respond to the question, considering the
motives of Polonius, what foreshadowing may be present and the feelings of the King &
Queen.
6. E.M. Forster once said “If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying
my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country.” Consider how this quote
applies to the character Polonius throughout Act 2, and by analyzing his actions,
determine where Polonius’ loyalties lie.
Elisa La Cava
1. In relation to a question posed in our Hamlet Exploratory Paper #1, How should one
(Hamlet) behave in a world full of corruption, when the distinctions between good and
evil are blurred, and many acts are ambiguous in nature? How do Hamlet’s beliefs of
retribution validate his intentions when he would be punishing King Claudius for the
same crime that he plans to commit?
2. Looking especially at Hamlet’s statement in lines 2.2 403-404 and his soliloquy in 2.2
575-634, determine the extent and/or truth behind Hamlet’s madness. If and when, at
what point, does Hamlet’s madness progress from façade to reality?
3. Looking closely at Hamlet’s statement in 2.2 267-270, determine how Hamlet views his
own perceptions. How does Hamlet’s conclusion that “thinking… is a prison” relate to
his frustration with the biasing abilities of self-persuasion and over-analysis?
Rob Barnum-Reece
1. How good an actor is Hamlet, esp. in relationship to his madness? Is he acting? (see
scene with Polonius)
2. What similarities do Hamlet and Fortinbras share? Differences?
3. Why is Polonius spying on Laertes? Is Polonius shrewd and calculating or a fool?
Nic LaPonte
Scene the First
1. Why would Polonius and Ophelia believe that Hamlet’s strange behavior was their fault?
2. Is Claudius’s interest in Hamlet a genuine concern, or merely a case of C.Y.A.? \
3. Why should Claudius fear hamlet if this is the case? What threat could hamlet pose to his
throne?
Scene the Second
1. Hamlet appears distracted and disturbed in this scene. What do you think are some of the
questions and decisions plaguing Hamlet’s mind?
2. Hamlet calls Polonius a “fishmonger”, but this is no mere insult. What are the ways in
which this is more apt a description of Polonius than a mockery?
3. The players tell a story involving Pyrrhus and Priam. What are some of the parallels
between their story and that of Hamlet’s?
Kiley Dhatt
Higher Order Thinking Questions—Act II
1. How does Hamlet’s reference to Polonius’s daughter Ophelia’s conception in Act 2 Sc. 2
work in terms of his relationship and the conversation he is having with Polonius?
Consider Hamlet’s line before it: “For if the sun…” and perhaps consider the two
interpretations in it: “good” or “god.”
2. What significance does Hamlet’s last soliloquy at the end Act 2 hold? How does this
relate to the idea of human ability to deceive and conceal? Exploring and “translating”
Shakespeare’s language first may help forge a connection (Hint: also look at Hamlet’s
speech “I will tell you why…” 2.2.316)
3. Are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern too easily won over by the King and Queen to trick
their lifelong friend Hamlet? By the same token, do they confess to Hamlet too easily?
What do their responses to each opposing set of interests say about their characters?
Heather A Markytan
1)
Many have said that the ghost is not actually the spirit of Hamlet’s father, but from
something typically called Hell. Where does the ghost come from, and if the ghost is from Hell,
then what is its purpose? (This was a question I already put up on the board, but I’d like
everyone to look at it if they haven’t)
2)
The marriage between his mother and his uncle upsets Hamlet, both because of the
timing and the incest of it. But is Hamlet ready to kill his uncle just because of this or does he
want to kill Claudius even more (or just plain want to kill Claudius) because of the ghost?
3)
If the ghost is truly Hamlet’s father come to speak to Hamlet, then is its only reason for
wanting Hamlet’s uncle dead, revenge? Could the ghost have another reason for wanting the
uncle dead, such as the remarriage to his wife or the time of the marriage (no matter who it was
to?)
4)
Do you believe that Hamlet thinks of revenge as a good deed or an evil one? 9 think
about if it would it be satisfying his father or the devil, [whether the devil sent the ghost or not]?
Would the revenge end at Hamlet killing Claudius or not, would it keep going? Which is a more
righteous path for Hamlet to take?)
Chelsea Gallegos
1. Façades are a major theme throughout the novel. How can the ghost of Hamlet‚s father be
seen as a façade and does that reveal anything about the validity of his statements?
2. Nobody trusts anybody in Denmark; how does the act of spying contribute to the „foul‰ state
of Denmark?
3. Hamlet pretends that his „madness‰ comes from his love for Ophelia. Does this mean that he
is acknowledging his madness but continuing with his fathers commands despite his state of
mind or does it mean that he is pretending to be mad altogether in order to lessen the possible
punishment that awaits him?
Mohsin Gulamhussein
Q1) If Hamlet is truely in love with Ophelia why is his approach negative? For example example
he comes to Ophelia (while she is sewing) looking like he was "loosed out of hell". Also he does
not give a good impression on her father by mocking him. Is there a reason for this sort of
approach?
Q2) To whom do you think the sun and maggots refers to? In our group we came up with the
thought that it was refered to the king and Ophelia shoul be kept away from him. I thought it was
refered to Polonious himself because the sun influences the maggots and the daughter should be
kept away from such influence.
Q3) Why does Hamlet assume he is older than Polonius in their conversation? "for you yourself,
sir, should be old as I am if, like a crab, you could go backward."
Q4) Why does Hamlet ask the player (actor) to speech on the story of Priam and Pyrrhus. Does
Troy refer to Denmark possibly?
Morgan Giddings
1.
What is the significance of Polonius‚ eloquence? ie∑ lines 104-121, lines
140-160
2.
At this point do you believe Hamlet to be mad, or is he feigning his
madness? How does this particular characteristic impact other characters of
the play, and how does this impact the audiences view towards the play? Use
lines of reference to prove your point.
3.
How does the character Laertes contrast and compare to that of Hamlet?
What are the characteristics of each and how do they impact the thematic
element of the play? Use lines for evidence.
Jordan Howlett
1. How are foils to Hamlet significance to the development of his character?
(Laertes, Fortinbras)
2. How does Shakespeare "use" the players/play to give deeper meaning to the
surrounding story?
3. How does the development of Polonius‚ character as deceiving and
manipulative connect to the theme of incongruence in appearance and reality,
in alteration and truth?
Desiree Decker
1) What are some of the feelings that Hamlet displays towards his mother, Queen Gertrude?
2) How does Shakespeare demonstrate the dynamic between Hamlet and his friends,
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
3) What evidence is there that Hamlet might be feigning madness?
Abbey Barnard
1. What was Hamlet’s reason for approaching Ophelia in such a state? Was he aware of what the
parents would think, and was in fact trying to manipulate them? Or was he actually overcome
with emotion and longing to see Ophelia?
2. Consider the statement: “Your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth; / And thus we do of
wisdom and of reach / With windlasses and with assays of bias / By indirections find directions
out” (2.1.70-74). Does Shakespeare condone or condemn using deception to find truth? What
implications does this have for Hamlet’s plans with the players?
3. Consider the following statement: “for there is / nothing either good or bad but thinking makes
it / so” (2.2.268-270). Is this statement contrary to Hamlet’s assumed Christian morality? How
does this statement affect the way one views Hamlet’s indecisiveness later on in the play?
Aaron Beppu
1. In Hamlet’s speech to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Act 2 Scene 2, in speaking about how
he has “lost all / my mirth”, he says that “this majestical roof ... appears...to me...a...pestilent
congregation of vapors.” He also makes reference to “this quintessence of dust.” How can this
aversion for the ethereal be reconciled with his earlier aversion to the physical, apparent in the
“resolve itself into a dew” and “Hyperion to a satyr” lines of his first soliloquy?
2. In Act I, Scene V, the Ghost, in describing the murder, places emphasis on physical things,
such as “all my smooth body” and “my life, my crown, my queen”. Does this apparent diametric
opposition to Hamlet’s own disdain for the physical, living world, in light of Hamlet’s emphatic
pledge, provide a reasonable basis for Hamlet’s prolonged hesitation in avenging his father’s
death?
3. In Act II, Scene II, the speech Hamlet requests of the players is “Aeneas’s tale to Dido”. In
Virgil, Dido was the first queen of Carthage, who, after her husband’s death, fell in love with
Aeneas. Their love ended when the gods intervened, after which Dido commits suicide, and
spites Aeneas even in the underworld. Aeneas was a son of Aphrodite, and a great hero of Greek
and Roman mythology, so much so that the Julian family traced their lineage to him. Given the
implications of Aeneas’s place in the Greek and Latin mythical tradition, is Hamlet’s reference
an intentional commentary on the marriage between his mother and uncle?
Christa Kovarik
1. How does the recurring images of nature contribute to a main
theme/message of the play? What is the significance?
2. What role does "spying" or sneakiness have in the play?
3. Act 2. Sc 2. 273-275. What is Hamets point and what important message
does it say about his motives and character? How does Shakespeare get this
across?
Micah Sherman
1. What significance to the play “Hamlet” does the poison in the King’s ear have? What
could this be figuratively implying and how does this effect meaning?
2. Though the ghost resembles Hamlet’s father, it is also mentioned that it could possibly be
the devil himself, toying with Hamlet. How does Hamlet’s belief in the true identity of
the ghost differentiate from other perspectives given? How does this effect the relation of
the text to Prufrock’s question?
3. Literature equals the question minus the answer. What questions does Shakespeare call to
attention regarding fate and will? What literary devices are used to help convey and
strengthen these questions?
Taylor Adams
1) What evidence suggests that Hamlet is actually slipping into insanity, instead of merely
pretending to do so? What evidence implies otherwise?
2) If the ghost is real, what evidence suggests that it is really Hamlet's father, and not something
more malevolent, as Hamlet himself notes?
3) Is Hamlet justified in avenging his father's death to begin with, regardless of what the ghost
told him?
Laura Thom
1. How does Hamlet's monologue at the end relate to his previous speech of "I know not seems"?
2. How does the allusion to Hecuba's grief relate to Gertrude?
3. How does the theme of contemplation vs action manifest itself in this act?
Meredith Ryan
1. What does the diction of Polonius’ speech say about his character? Look especially at Act 2,
Scene 2 when he talks to the king and queen. (Especially the Queen’s line “More matter, less
art).
2. When Hamlet speaks to Rosencrantz and Guilderstein he gives him his opinion on the world
(ln. 315-345) or so it seems. Is Hamlet being honest, or his he voicing what the King and Queen
want him too, (making them think he’s mad).
3. Are Hamlet’s feelings for Ophelia genuine? Or are they a way to distract Polonius and the
King and Queen by making them think he is mad? Are Ophelia’s feelings for Hamlet genuine?
Stuart Jenkins
1. Is it possible that the ghost of Hamlet's father is a figment of his imagination? If so what
are the effects on the Hamlet's motivation to kill his uncle? Does the validity of the ghost
affect the morality of the murder?
2. Does Hamlet feel guilty for Polonius's death? Is he unhappy he died?
3. Does Hamlet have the moral grounds to kill Polonius? Does this shift Hamlet from a
righteous defender to an aggressor?
4. Does Hamlet's uncle regret killing his brother? What were his motivations for doing so?
5. How does the un-weeded garden metaphor say about natural selection? What does this
say about how you choose to live your life? What about how Hamlet chooses to live his?
6. Hamlet says, "You cannot take from me anything that I will more willingly part withalexcept my life, except my life, except my life" (2.2.235). Is this ironical (as his uncle took
his father from him)? What further parts of the play can this be applied to?
7. Hamlets speaks of how humans are willing to bear the pains of human life to avoid the
unknown pains of the afterlife or which they no nothing about. He goes on to say
"conscience doth make cowards of us all" (3.1.91). Does this philosophy dictate Hamlet's
actions? Or does he feel he is fulfilling his moral obligation?
8. Why would the king encourage Hamlet to stay if he knows Hamlet will be the most
motivated to find the truth about his fathers death? (text support necessary)
9. Is Hamlet emotionally numb during the second act? What besides the play triggers his
emotion during the third act?
10. Is the play setup justifiable? Is this deceiving act comparable to the spying?
11. Why was it necessary for Hamlet to pretend to be insane?
Nick Welter
1.
What does Hamlet imply by comparison calling Polonius Jephthah (Act 2. Sc. 2 Line
427) ?
2.
How does Hamlet’s comparison of the Queen to Hecuba at the end of Act 2 serve to
display his contrasting feelings to his Aunt-Mother?
3.
What does Hamlet’s plan to judge the King’s guilt tell the reader about Hamlet’s
character?
Alex Estes
1. Discuss the ongoing theme of warped communication in Hamlet and how it relates to the
death of Hamlet’s father, by ear poisoning. How does the significance of the means of his
father’s death relate to Hamlet’s insanity? Why would Shakespeare have chosen to
poison his character by way of ear?
2. Does Hamlet’s apparent insanity stem from his promise to Horatio or his unrequited love
for Ophelia, as Polonious suggest. How do each of the possible reasons for his insanity
affect the outcome of the analysis of Act 1?
3. Discuss the significance of Polonious’s observation of Hamlet during the conversation in
which he declares Hamlet’s true “insanity.” (“How pregnant sometimes his replies are! A
happiness that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity could not so prosperously
be delivered of.” {Act 2 Scene 2 226-9}) What does Polonious’s observation about
Hamlet reveal?