Hamlet Act I, Scenes 2 & 3 A Little Reading Guide

Act I, Scene 2 begins with Claudius’s speech to his court, his first as the newly crowned King of Denmark. He will address four topics in this speech: 1.) the recent death of King Hamlet, 2.) his recent marriage to Gertrude, 3.) the threat of young Fortinbras of Norway attacking Denmark, and 4.) his response to the threat of attack. In one way, we can consider the first two topics to be of a personal nature, and it is politically wise for Claudius to address them in front of his court in order to quell any lingering grief about King Hamlet’s death or any concerns about the queen’s marriage to her late husband’s brother. The latter two topics are more matters of the state, and he lays out for his court his plan of action to deal with the threat of attack.

Beyond Claudius’s opening speech, Scene 2 contains Hamlet’s entrance into the play in a conversation with King Claudius and his mother, Queen Gertrude. Pay attention to the notations for Hamlet’s initial lines; they will help you to properly understand his tone, which is one of disdain and bitterness. Hamlet is an exceedingly intelligent young man, and his comments here and throughout the play are particularly sharp-witted. Although Claudius’s initially seems tolerant and understanding toward Hamlet—“Tis sweet and commendable in your nature Hamlet”—that tolerance quickly gives way to a litany of harsh criticisms toward Hamlet, and although it appears that Hamlet accepts the King’s rebukes, when Claudius and Gertrude leave the room, he launches into a soliloquy that unleashes his pent up bitterness.

Hamlet’s bitterness even continues in his conversation with Horatio and Marcellus until they inform him of what they’ve seen. Hamlet then becomes engrossed in their story, asking them many questions about what they saw. The scene ends with them making plans for later that night. Notice that Shakespeare gives Hamlet couplet to end the scene.

Act I, Scene 3 more fully introduces Polonius, his son, Laertes, and his daughter, Ophelia. Laertes's departure for France presents an occasion for him to advise his sister on matters of the heart, for Polonius to impart life lessons to Laertes, and also for Polonius to advise his daughter on love and young men; pay attention to the advice given by both of these characters.