Hamlet Act II Study Guide

Hamlet Act II Study Guide A.P. English

Read Act 2 of Hamlet. Serves to add complications to the conflict(s) and to develop both characters and plot lines.

Act 2, Scene 1 1. Act II opens after the passage of some time (critics suggest two months). What do we learn about Polonius from his discussion with Reynaldo which opens the act? What is he asking Reynaldo to do and how does this reflect on his (Polonius') character?

2. What was unusual about Hamlet's appearance when he visited Ophelia in her closet (private room)? Describe Hamlet's behavior and Ophelia's reaction to it. What is the dramatic value of having Hamlet tel us he may “put on an antic disposition” and doing so come close together?

3. How does Polonius react to the news of Hamlet’s strange behavior? What is Polonius' diagnosis of the illness that caused Hamlet to behave so strangely when he came to see Ophelia? What does he mean when he says, "I fear'd he did but trifle,/ And meant to wrack thee. But beshrew my jealousy! It seems it as proper to our age/ To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions/ As it is common for the younger sort/ To lack discretion" (ll. 113-117). Consider the instructions he gives to Ophelia in Act 1, Scene 3 as you analyze these lines. 4. What evidence of Hamlet’s affections for Ophelia exists?

5. What trait of Polonius is revealed by his plans to spy on his son? What does it reveal about Laetres?

Act 2, Scene 2 This scene is the longest of the play. It contains several episodes (4). Name them. Why would Shakekspeare put them all in the same scene?

6. How is the problem of young Fortinbras solved? What concession has Norway made to quiet young Fortinbras? (While seemingly insignificant, remember some of this for the end of the play.)

Why has the King summoned Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

7. When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern arrive, the King says to them, "What it should be,/ more than his father's death that hath put him/ so much from th' understanding of himself,/ I cannot dream of" (ll. 7-10). To what is he referring? Is this true? Why?

8. How does Claudius' request of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern parallel the request Polonius made of Reynaldo in Scene 1? Explain what theme Shakespeare may be attempting to develop with these two incidents. 9. What news do Cornelius and Voltemand bring back from Norway? How does Young Fortinbras' behavior contrast with Hamlet's, considering each man has recently lost his father and is now ruled by his uncle?

10. When Polonius says, "Brevity is the soul of wit," what does the Queen's reaction tell us about his adherence to his philosophy? Explain Gertrude's exclamation, "More matter, with less art." (l. 95)

11. Discuss the tone of Hamlet's letter to Ophelia.

12. What is Hamlet's purpose in talking to Polonius about the Sun's breeding maggots in a dead dog (l. 187)? What does Polonius' reaction (in his asides) reveal?

13. What line(s) from Hamlet's discussion with Polonius reflect his state of mind in his soliloquy in Act 1 ("O, that this too too solid flesh. . ." I,ii)? Explain.

14. What explanation does Polonius give for Hamlet’s apparent insanity? Why would the King prefer this explanation to be true?

Whaat plan does Polonius concoct to prove that Hamlet is made for love of Ophelia?

15. How do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern analyze Hamlet's malady? Contrast this with what Hamlet himself tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is the cause of his problem?

16. What is the tone of Hamlet's exchanges with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? Explain taking into consideration the duo's current purpose as opposed to their previous relationship with the prince.

17. What incident is described in the speech Hamlet persuades the Player to recite? How can this selection be considered ironic ? Explain.

18. Hamlet tells Polonius that he ought not to treat the players according to their desserts but much better (ll. 625-630); that is, according to what?

19. How does the player's speech serve as a motivation for Hamlet's soliloquy which ends the act ("O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!" l. 649-)? Describe Hamlet's reaction to the speech and explain how this reaction is developed in his soliloquy..

20. Where and why does Hamlet's soliloquy take a distinct "turn" in both tone and logic? What does "catch" mean in the last line of the act?

In Act I, Scene 5, Hamlet said, “It is an honest ghost.” Yet in this scene he says, “The Spirit that I have seen may be the devil.” What has evidently happened as Hamlet has thought about the strange events?

21. Why does Hamlet want to hear the passage about Hecuba? Act II in general:

1. What does Polonius ask of Reynaldo? What do his instructions reveal about his character? 2. What similarity exists between the action of the King Claudius and Queen Gertrude with regard to Hamlet and the action of Polonius with regard to Laertes? Are their actions justifiable in each case? 3. In his instructions to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Claudius seems genuinely concerned for Hamlet’s welfare. Reread his opening speech in Act II, Scene II. Do you find anything to indicate he is suspicious of Hamlet? 4. What news does Claudius receive regarding the situation with Norway and young Fortinbras? 5. Describe Ophelia. Does she really love Hamlet? If she does, why does she obey her father so quickly? Why doesn’t she protest? 6. Of what does Ophelia inform her father with respect to Hamlet? What does Polonius believe to be the cause of Hamlet’s madness? 7. Who seems more willing to accept Polonius’s explanation of Hamlet’s madness, Gertrude or Claudius? On what do you base your answer? 8. Cite three examples of “espionage” set forth in Act II. 9. What is significant about the tale of Priam and Pyrrhus? 10. What does Hamlet hope to achieve in having the players enact a play? 11. Since the Ghost has already explained how and by whom he was murdered, why does Hamlet seek further proof of his uncle’s guilt? 12. Reread Hamlet’s soliloquy at the end of Act II. Why does he refer to himself a coward?