1. Act 2
Hamlet

2. Key Ideas Nemesis Foils Disease and Corruption Women
Hamlet as Tragic Hero
Appearance vs Reality
See your handout for this

3. Scene 1 Considerations Polonius uses deception: Reynaldo the spy.
More concerned with Laertes appearing to be good than actually being good
“Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth”…”By indirections find directions out” ( )
Polonius is intenet on knowing more about his son’s activities in Paris, instructs Reynaldo on the fine art of spying. Ophelia reports to her father that Hamlet has been acting strangely and Polonius is convinced that this is because Ophelia stopped speaking to hamlet. Polonius decides to tell the king

4. Scene 1 Considerations
The appearance of madness. What does a crazy person look like to the Elizabethans? ( )
Is Hamlet using Ophelia? Is this the behaviour of a hero? (or is she in on the secret?)
What does Polonius have to gain if Hamlet really does love Ophelia?
What is Hamlet’s motivation in doing this?
What appearance would signal madness to a modern audience?

5. Scene 2 Considerations
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern: friends or spies? Can we defend their behaviour?
Ambassadors from Norway bring news ( ) How does Claudius respond? Is he a good leader?
Polonius “…since brevity is the soul of wit,/ And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,/ I will be brief” ( ) hypocrisy
Hamlet’s buddies R&G arrive at court and are commissioned by the king to spy on Hamlet. Polonius reports that Ophelia is the cause of Hamlet’s madness. King is skeptical. They agree to test the theory. Hamlet is at first happy to see R&G but quickly realizes they have an ulterior motive for being here. Acotrs arrive and agree to put on a play. Hamlet asks an actor to put in several lines.

6. Scene 2 Considerations
“More matter, with less art.” ( ) Gertrude How is language used to deceive?
Hamlet’s letter to Ophelia ( ) How should we interpret this letter?
Does Claudius find this explanation convincing?

7. Scene 2 Considerations
“You are a fishmonger.” Hamlet to Polonius ( ) Fishmonger is slang for pimp. How is Polonius a pimp? Does he get it?
“Let her not walk in the sun” ( ) Is this a real warning?
Polonius: “Though this be madness, yet there is / method in it.” ( )

8. Scene 2 Considerations
Hamlet the existential thinker “…there is nothing/either good or bad but thinking makes it so. To me [Denmark] is / a prison” ( ). See also ( )
The Player’s Speech: ( ) What does it have in common with what’s happened in Denmark.

9. Scene 2 Considerations
“O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” ( )