Hamlet by William Shakespeare Act II

Hamlet – Act II Scene One: Scene One: Polonius sends a servant to spy on his son. Polonius sends a servant to spy on his son. Ophelia tells Polonius that Hamlet is behaving strangely. Ophelia tells Polonius that Hamlet is behaving strangely. Polonius assumes that he is mad because he cannot have Ophelia. Polonius assumes that he is mad because he cannot have Ophelia. Polonius admits that he misjudged Hamlet’s intentions. Polonius admits that he misjudged Hamlet’s intentions.

Hamlet – Act II Scene two: Scene two: Claudius and Gertrude have sent Hamlet’s friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to spy on Hamlet. Claudius and Gertrude have sent Hamlet’s friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to spy on Hamlet. Polonius arrives and after conducting some business, tells Claudius and Gertrude that Hamlet has gone mad because Polonius forbade Ophelia to see Hamlet. Polonius arrives and after conducting some business, tells Claudius and Gertrude that Hamlet has gone mad because Polonius forbade Ophelia to see Hamlet. Polonius tells Claudius that they should set Hamlet up by having Ophelia run into him. Polonius tells Claudius that they should set Hamlet up by having Ophelia run into him.

Hamlet – Act II Scene two continued: Scene two continued: Once set up, Hamlet arrives, engrossed in a book. Once set up, Hamlet arrives, engrossed in a book. Polonius sends Claudius and Gertrude away, so that he can speak to Hamlet Polonius sends Claudius and Gertrude away, so that he can speak to Hamlet Polonius is convinced, by Hamlet’s encrypted answers, that Hamlet has gone mad (crazy). Polonius is convinced, by Hamlet’s encrypted answers, that Hamlet has gone mad (crazy). Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appear, and Hamlet quickly ascertains that they are spies for Claudius. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appear, and Hamlet quickly ascertains that they are spies for Claudius.

Hamlet – Act II Scene two continued: Scene two continued: Hamlet tells them that he is wise to their plan, and they admit guilt. Hamlet tells them that he is wise to their plan, and they admit guilt. Hamlet tells them how depressed and disappointed he is. Hamlet tells them how depressed and disappointed he is. A group of actors appear, and Hamlet welcomes them, telling them about a scene he once saw them perform. A group of actors appear, and Hamlet welcomes them, telling them about a scene he once saw them perform. He asks the players to perform “The Murder of Gonzago” (which he renames “The Mousetrap”). He asks the players to perform “The Murder of Gonzago” (which he renames “The Mousetrap”).

Hamlet – Act II Scene two continued: Scene two continued: The play is scheduled for the following night, and Hamlet adds that he will write a few lines to be performed within the play. The play is scheduled for the following night, and Hamlet adds that he will write a few lines to be performed within the play. In a soliloquy, Hamlet chides himself for not avenging his father’s murder more quickly. In a soliloquy, Hamlet chides himself for not avenging his father’s murder more quickly. He decides that he will test Claudius’s guilt by his reaction to the murder scene, and then he will take action. He decides that he will test Claudius’s guilt by his reaction to the murder scene, and then he will take action.