| Brevity is the soul of wit… | PoloniusKing and QueenP is telling K&Q that H is crazya good piece of writing should be brief and concise |
| More matter, with less art | Queen GertrudePoloniusP is rambling to K&Q that H is crazy”get the the point” |
| Though this be madness, yet there is method in’t. | PoloniusHimselfwhile talking with Hamletsuggesting Hamlet is only pretending his insanity |
| What a piece of work is a man! | HamletRosencrantzthe first time R&G talk with HMan is the noblest of all God’s pieces of work |
| …there is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so | HamletRosecrantz and GuildensternHamlet sees Denmark as his prisona person decides whether something is good or bad |
| I am but mad north-north-west…I know a hawk from a handsaw. | HamletRosecrantz and Guildensterntelling R&G that everyone thinks hes crazyhe is not always crazy, he sometimes knows whats happening |
| What’s Hebuca to him, or he to Hebuca / That he should weep for her? | HamletTo himselfafter the actor recited a piece of the play for him with full emotionH wonders how the actor could express the emotion when the actor has no connection to Hebuca |
| For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak / with most miraculous organ. | HamletHimselfthinking to himself how to reveal Claudius’ actionsfacial expressions reveal the truth |
| … the devil hath power T’assume a pleasing shape | Hamlet Himselfthinking about the devil/ghost’s honestyit is possible that the ghost was actually the devil in disguise trying to trick him |
| The play’s the thing / Wherin I’ll catch the conscience of the King | HamletHimselfafter he devised his strategy to find the truththe play will show on Claudius’ face whether he killed the king or not |
| Why does Polonius send Reynaldo to Paris? | to spy on Laertes and gather information |
| Briefly describe the how Polonius suggests that “by indirection” Reynaldo might seek “directions out.” That is, how does Polonius suggest that Reynaldo gather information? | by making up stories about Laertes so people who do know him will either agree/disagree and tell him the truth |
| What has frightened Ophelia? | Hamlet came into her room looking like he came back from hell |
| How was Hamlet dressed? | no hat, unbuttoned shirt, dirty stockings around his ankles |
| What did Ophelia think was wrong with Hamlet? | she is afraid Hamlet has gone mad due to his love for her |
| How does Polonius explain this incident? | Hamlet is love crazed |
| Why does Polonius set off to see the King? | to tell the king about Hamlet’s “condition” |
| Why has the King sent for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? | to spend time with Hamlet and to see if they can get him back to normal/observe what is wrong with him |
| Compare the beginning of the scene with the beginning of the previous scene. How are they alike? | people asking to spy on people |
| What reward does the Queen suggest that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern may receive? (lines 25-6) | they will be “thanked royally” |
| From line 43, does Claudius seem to value Polonius or to disregard him? | value — says something about bringing only good news |
| To what causes does Gertrude attribute Hamlet’s “distemper” or “lunacy”? | his father’s death or her marriage to Claudius |
| Old Norway thought young Fortinbras was preparing to fight the ________? | Polish |
| Fortinbras, however, was actually preparing to fight____________? | Denmark |
| What is old Norway’s state of age, health and power? | old and sick but still very powerful |
| What request does Norway make of Denmark? | to march their troops through Denmark on the way to Poland |
| What is Polonius’ definition of madness? | mad is mad |
| What does Gertrude mean when she says “more matter with less art”? | get to the point |
| To what does Polonius attribute Hamlet’s madness? | Ophelia shut him out, driving him mad |
| Compare Hamlet’s conversation with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with his preceding conversation with Polonius. What do you conclude about Hamlet’s madness? | he does not act crazy around them |
| Why does Hamlet suspect that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sent for? | to spy on him to determine his sanity |
| What is Hamlet’s mood as he describes it in lines 283-298? | … |
| Hamlet is familiar with the players Rosencrantz mentions in line 301+. Why are these players traveling? | they don’t get enough business in the city |
| According to Hamlet, what do those who used to make faces at Claudius do now? | beg to paint portraits of him |
| Why does Polonius consider it significant that Hamlet brings of Jephthah and his daughter? Is he correct? | he compares J to P because of their daughters — yes |
| What concerns does Hamlet have about the boy-actress’ voice and height? | they will grow too old for their parts |
| Hamlet asks the player to speak a speech from a play . What is the subject of that speech, which Hamlet begins and the Player King completes, and why is it significant? What does it indicate about Hamlet’s values and state of mind? | murder |
| What play does Hamlet ask the players to perform on the following night? What does he want added? | The Murder of Gonzago, a speech of 12-16 lines he composed |
| What contrast does Hamlet make between himself and the Player King? | ? |
| What is Hamlet’s plan “to catch the conscience of the king.”? | have the actors perform the murder of his father |
| Why does he need proof that the ghost is honest? | to assure that Claudius is the true killer |
| With what famous words does Act II end? Why is this couplet important? | The play’s the thingWherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king — it shows Hamlet’s plan for the next scene |
Hamlet Act 2
August 5, 2019