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Characters
General information
Time span between Acts I and II
Acts of Deception
Literary terms
Hamlet’s second of four great soliloquies
Quotes (5 total)
Themes
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Late King Hamlet
Gertrude
Prince Hamlet
Claudius
Polonius
Ophelia
Reynaldo
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
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First performed:
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1600-1601
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Five Act Structure: Purpose of Act II
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Take action on the conflict presented in Act I
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Primary Setting:
Castle of Elsinore; Denmark
Time Period:
16th Century
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Evidence that time has gone by between Act I and Act
II:
1. Laertes back at school.
2. Hamlet’s madness is evident.
3. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have been sent for
and arrived in Denmark.
4. Letter from Old Norway has returned.
5. Traveling actors have been sent for and arrived in
Denmark.
Acts of deception (theme):
1. Reynaldo sent to spy on Laertes.
2. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern sent for by Claudius
and Gertrude to cheer up/spy on Hamlet.
3. Polonius’ set up of Ophelia and Hamlet to test
Hamlet’s madness. (advantages/disadvantages of
Polonius believing Hamlet is mad)
4. Hamlet feigning madness.
5. Hamlet setting up Claudius with the play.
Literary Terms:
Aside
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Definition: when a character reveals thoughts while other
character’s are on stage; information is meant for the audience
to hear, not the other characters present.
Soliloquy
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Definition: when a character is alone on stage revealing
his/her inner thoughts to the audience through a lengthy
speech.
Literary Terms:
 Ironic Effect
 Definition: When a character realizes something
obvious that other characters or the
audience/reader has realized all along; an
epiphany.
 Dramatic Irony
 Definition: When the audience or reader
knows or perceives something other
characters do not.
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Second of four Great Soliloquies delivered by
Hamlet:
Three main parts:
1. Hamlet is upset that the actors are more passionate
than he is and they haven’t experienced any of the
things first hand like he has.
2. Hamlet doubts his ability to avenge his father’s
death; believes he is a coward.
3. Hamlet discusses his plan to reveal Claudius’ guilt
to test the validity of the ghost.
Act II Quotes ( 5 total)
Polonius: This must be known, which being kept close,
might move/More grief to hide than hate to utter love.
Polonius: Though this be madness, yet there is method
in’t. (aside)
Hamlet: I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind
is/ southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw. (Theme
of deception)
Act II Quotes (cont.):
Hamlet: I have heard/ that guilty creatures sitting
at a play/ have, by the very cunning of the
scene/ been struck so to the soul that presently/
they have proclaimed their malefactions.
(Theme of deception)
Hamlet: The spirit that I have seen/ may be a (devil),
and the (devil) hath power.
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Briefly paraphrase the Player’s speech about Pyrrhus
and King Priam. Explain how the story of Pyrrhus is
foiled to that of Hamlet’s life.
1. Pyrrhus is the son of Achilles who was killed by
Paris during the Trojan War.
2.Pyrrhus wants revenge. Since Paris is dead, he
seeks out Paris’ family including Paris’ father, King
Priam.
3. Pyrrhus is a foil to Hamlet because both sons seek
vengeance for father’s deaths, but go about it in
different ways.
Themes:
Deception
Corruption
Revenge
Appearance vs. Reality