 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

 Late King Hamlet  Gertrude  Prince Hamlet  Claudius  Polonius  Ophelia  Reynaldo  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

 First performed:   Five Act Structure: Purpose of Act II  Take action on the conflict presented in Act I  Primary Setting:  Castle of Elsinore; Denmark  Time Period:  16 th Century

 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  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  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.

 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.

 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