| Why does Polonius send Reynaldo to Paris? | To spy on Laertes |
| Briefly describe how Polonius suggests that “by indirection” Reynaldo might seek “directions out”. Thatis, how does Polonius suggest that Reynaldo gather information? | By asking around, by discreetly. Don’t tarnish Laertes’s name but tarnish his name |
| What has frightened Ophelia? | Hamlet is acting crazy af |
| How was Hamlet dressed? | No hat, shirt unbuttoned, stockings dirty, undone and around his ankles. Like a fackboy |
| What did Ophelia think was wrong with Hamlet? | Crazy in love |
| How does Polonius explain this incident? | Definitely in love and its love craziness. Coming from Ophelia’s rejection of Hamlet |
| Why does Polonius set off to see the King? | Because it could cause a bigger problem if kept separate. |
| Why has the King sent for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? | To figure out what was wrong with Hamlet |
| Compare the beginning of the scene with the beginning of the previous scene. How are they alike? | Polonius/Claudius taking to people spying on their “sons”. Claudius’s spies are well known to his son, Polonius’s is not. |
| What reward does the Queen suggest that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern may receive? (lines 25-6) | With royal jobs and money. |
| From line 43, does Claudius seem to value Polonius or to disregard him? | He seems to value Polonius, agreeing to his points and listening to his theories |
| To what causes does Gertrude attribute Hamlet’s “distemper” and “lunacy”? | Hamlet’s dead dad, and his mom’s quick marriage. |
| Old Norway thought young Fortinbras was preparing to fight _________ however, Fortinbras wasactually preparing to fight __________. | Poland, Denmark |
| What is old Norway’s state of age, health and power? | He is old, sick but still has power of his nephew to a certain degree |
| What request does Norway make of Denmark? | To allow Fortinbras to pass through on their way to Poland |
| What is Polonius’ definition of madness? | Madness is craziness and craziness is madness |
| What does Gertrude mean when she says “more matter with less art”? | Stick to the f*cking point Polonius |
| . To what does Polonius attribute Hamlet’s madness? | Ophelia’s rejection of him |
| Compare Hamlet’s conversation with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with his preceding conversationwith Polonius. What do you conclude about Hamlet’s madness? | That it is controllable and very easily changed. FAKE |
| Why does Hamlet suspect that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sent for? | The king and queen sent for them to spy on him |
| What is Hamlet’s mood as he describes it in lines 283-298? | He has lost all fun in the world and is clinically depressed. Existential crisis |
| Hamlet is familiar with the players Rosencrantz mentions in line 301+. Why are these playerstraveling? | Because their business isn’t going so hot. Got their ticket sales taken by kids yelling their lines out instead |
| According to Hamlet, what do those who used to makes faces at Claudius do now? | Rush forward to pay money to buy figurines of him |
| Why does Polonius consider it significant that Hamlet brings Jephthah and his daughter? Is he correct? | He believes Hamlet is talking about Ophelia. Really foreshadowing, but unknowingly. |
| What concerns does Hamlet have about the boy-actress’ voice and height? | Because he has grown a lot, he hopes the kid’s voice hasn’t changed drastically. |
| Hamlet asks the player to speak a speech from a play. What is the subject of that speech, whichHamlet begins and the Player King completes? Why is it significant? What does it indicate aboutHamlet’s values and state of mind? | The avenging of Achille’s death by his son Pyrrhus. It is significant because it underlines the thoughts that Hamlet has, and the revenge he is aiming for. State of mind is calculating |
| What play does Hamlet ask the players to perform on the following night? What does he want added? | The Murder of Gonzago. He wants an extra speech added to it. |
| What contrast does Hamlet make between himself and the Player King? | That the Player King brought about such superficial feelings and Hamlet can’t do so, even though his tragedies are real. |
| What is Hamlet’s plan to “catch the conscience of the king”? | He will put on a replica of the killing of Deady Hamlet to see if Claudius reacts. |
| Why does he need proof that the ghost is honest? | Because the ghost could just be messing with him and trying to get him to kill Claudius |
| With what famous words does Act II end? Why is this couplet important? | “The Play’s the thing Wherein Ill catch the conscience of the King” Because it shows how calculating Hamlet is, and drives the plot of the play. |
Hamlet-Act 2
August 9, 2019