1. Hamlet Act II, Scene i Polonius and Reynaldo Polonius and Ophelia

2. Partners  One partner take on the role of Polonius, and one take on the role of Reynaldo  Read the lines aloud (ll. 1-72). Pause along the way to clarify the meaning (use the notes at the bottom of the page to help).  Use appropriate intonation and emphasis to portray these characters as you envision them.

3. Questions  1. Where is Polonius sending Reynaldo?  2. What task has he given Reynaldo? (Paraphrase)  3. What insights do we gain into the character of Polonius based on what he is asking Reynaldo to do (and the painstaking detail he uses to concoct his plan)?

4. Partners  One partner take on the role of Polonius, and one take on the role of Ophelia.  Read the lines aloud (ll. 73- end of the scene). Pause along the way to clarify the meaning (use the notes at the bottom of the page to help).  Use appropriate intonation and emphasis to portray these characters as you envision them.

5. Questions  1. How does Ophelia describe Hamlet?  2. What conclusion does Polonius reach based on Ophelia’s description of Hamlet? (What error does Polonius think he has made?)  3. What action are Polonius and Ophelia planning to take at the end of the scene?  4. How does this move the action forward in the play?

6. If Time Permits  Continue reading Act II as a class  Complete reading Act II as homework