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: Act Two Wilson English IV, Levels 2 & 3

Act Two, Scene One

27. What is the nature of ’ conversation with Reynaldo in this scene? What does this say about his character? Polonius is asking Reynaldo to spy on because he does not want him to get into too much trouble. This shows that Polonius is suspicious and manipulative.

28. goes to her father in this scene; she is very upset. Why? Hamlet came to her room acting crazy and looking disheveled.

29. What advice does Polonius give her? He tells Ophelia that they have to go immediately to tell Claudius what has happened.

30. Is Polonius correct about the cause of Hamlet’s “Distraction”? Why or why not? No, he thinks Hamlet is crazy because Ophelia rejected him. The audience knows that Hamlet had planned to act crazy.

Act Two, Scene Two

31. Why have the king and queen supposedly sent for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? They have supposedly been sent for to cheer Hamlet up. Claudius also wants them to discover the cause of Hamlet’s madness.

32. What new does Voltemand bring from Norway? He reports that is going to back off from attacking Norway; he is going to attack Poland instead. He will, however, need to pass through Denmark at some point.

33. What does the following quote Mean: “More matter with less art”? (: II.ii.l 103) To whom is it directed? Gertrude is telling Polonius to get to the point; he just had a twenty line speech stating that he would be brief.

34. What evidence does Polonius offer to prove his theory about Hamlet? He reads from a love letter that Hamlet sent to Ophelia.

35. What is Polonius’ plan? He and Claudius are going to set up a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia and then hide behind the curtain to spy on them.

36. When Hamlet appears in this scene, how does he treat Polonius? He makes fun of him.

37. How does Polonius interpret this? Polonius does not get it; he thinks it is proof that hamlet is crazy.

38. Hamlet gives a few characters the opportunity to prove themselves and be truthful to him in this act. Who are the characters what is the result? He gives Rosencrantz and Guildenstern the opportunity to tell him the truth. After being asked repeatedly to admit it, they finally do. They do not, however, supply any real detail.

39.Who have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern invited to the castle? Why? They have invited a troupe of actors to entertain Hamlet.

40. There is a reference in the speech, which Hamlet asks the player to perform, to another text we have read this year. What is the text? (Think epic!) The story of the fall of troy, which is recounted by Odysseus in the Odyssey, the story of the Trojan war was told in The Iliad.

41. What favor does Hamlet ask of the player? That he learn and insert a speech that Hamlet will write himself.

42. For what is Hamlet criticizing himself in the final soliloquy of this act? His inability to kill Claudius; he is upset that the actor seems to have a more emotional response to something fake than Hamlet did to his father’s death. He is also unsure if he can trust the .

43. Describe Hamlet’s plan regarding the play. Hamlet is going to have the players act out a scene similar to the death of his father; he is then going to watch his uncle’s response for evidence of his guilt.