Hamlet: Act 2 Following the plot

Hamlet Act 2   Keeping Track.

Scene 1

1. The scene begins with Polonius sending Reynaldo (the fox) to check up on Laertes. How is Reynaldo to find out exactly what Laertes is up to?
2. What do you feel this short scene tells the audience about Polonius?
3. When Ophelia enters the scene she describes an off-stage encounter with Hamlet. What took place during this meeting?
4. How does Polonius explain Hamlet’s behaviour, and what evidence does he use to support this theory?
5. Why do you think he decides to tell the king?
6. There has been a lapse of time between the first act and the second. Does this change in Hamlet surprise you?

Scene 2

7.  Why have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appeared in Elsinore, and how do the King and Queen persuade them to co-operate with their plans?
8. Why do these two co-operate so willingly?
9. Describe the terms of the treaty with Norway, which could be viewed as a diplomatic success.
10. What is Polonius’s explanation of Hamlet’s behaviour?
11. How does Polonius intend to put this to the test?
12. How does Hamlet behave towards Polonius when he enters the scene?
13. Is there method in Hamlet’s madness?
14. After Polonius leaves Rosencrantz and Guildenstern talk to Hamlet.  What possible explanation do they have (Rosencrantz) for Hamlet’s “loss of mirth”?
15. How does Hamlet react to their probing?
16. Hamlet asks the Players to perform a particular speech, describing the killing of Priam by Pyrrhus (lines 456-502). What impression do you get of Pyrrhus, and how does the language of the speech create this impression?
17. The speech changes to the reaction of Hecuba to her husband’s cold-blooded slaughter. How does the Player react whilst performing this emotive speech?
18. Why do you think Hamlet asked for this speech? In what ways is Pyrrhus of interest to him? Are their any parallels between the two, Hecuba and Gertrude?