1. Act II - Hamlet What’s really wrong with Hamlet? “The play’s the thing…”

2. IIi– Polonius’s house Polonius sends off Reynaldo to monitor Laertes’ behavior and actions Ophelia enters and reports on “unusual” behavior by Hamlet After reporting that she did as commanded and spurned him with notes, Polonius concludes that Hamlet’s depressed and crazy b/c he’s mad in love with Ophelia They exit to inform the king

3. IIii – a room in castle Ellsinore Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (boyhood friends of Hamlet’s) are asked by the king and queen to visit with Hamlet, try to cheer him up and find out what’s up with him They go Polonius enters – Norway report Voltimand Polonius tells king that Hamlet’s mad in love

4. King and Queen exit Hamlet enters and abuses and mocks Polonius Polonius exits Rosencrantz and Guildenstern visit and Hamlet figures out their motive He confesses to them that he’s only pretending to be crazy and tries to explain his melancholy (in prose) Players enter

5. They’ll perform the next eve Hamlet is going to set up a scene to “catch the conscience of the king”