Study Questions on HamletAct II

Act 2 scene 1: 1 – 68 (title: A spy sent out )

  1. Who is Polonius speaking to in this scene? What does his name imply about Polonius’ actions?
  2. How is the passage of time indicated?
  3. What does Polonius want Reynaldo to do and why?
  4. Whose behaviour does this mirror?
  5. What two sports are referred to in lines 59 and 65-6? What can you say about Polonius’ language?
  6. Give 3 characteristics of Polonius that can be proven on the basis of this scene with evidence from the text to back up your suggestions.
  7. How is this scene important

a)In terms of how the scene is played out?

b)In terms of character?

c)In terms of atmosphere?

d)Thematically?

76 – 110 (title: “ ‘Mad’ly in love?” )

  1. Why does Ophelia come to see her father?
  2. What does this suggest about her?
  3. What does Polonius think it suggests of Hamlet?
  4. Look at what Ophelia says to Polonius. What can we notice is missing in her detailed description? What does this further underline about her character?
  5. What does this exchange show about Polonius? Add 2 more characteristics to the list you made above with evidence from the text.
  6. What does Polonius decide to do straight away in line 101? What does this inform the audience about the King?
  7. Why do you think Polonius says “I am sorry.” (line 105)?
  8. What elements of Hamlet’s behaviour reminds us of his “seems” speech in Act 1? What themes come out here?
  9. What does his acting reveal about himself and the others?
  10. What clues to Polonius’ character do we have in lines 117-120?

Act 2 scene 2: 1 – 58

  1. How does Claudius reinforce the themes of “acting” and “appearances” brought out again in Scene 1?
  2. What tone should he use when saying these lines?
  3. What role do R and G play here and what theme do they enhance? How do they mirror Ophelia?
  4. How does Polonius appear here? What does his news reveal about the Queen?

86 – 150

  1. The return of the ambassadors serves what two purposes?
  2. What seems comic about how Polonius speaks to the King and Queen? How do the sounds and punctuation reinforce this image?
  3. The King states that he feels Polonius is “a man faithful and honourable”. How could the audience react to this and why?
  4. How does Polonius admit to feeling about Hamlet and Ophelia being in love? How do the King and Queen react? How does this contradict the Queen’s grief after Ophelia’s death later?
  5. When reading the last ten lines of this extract, what image comes to mind? How do the sounds reinforce this idea? What theme is underlined here?

171 – 217

  1. There is much debate as to whether or not Hamlet overhears this conversation. What do you think and why?
  2. What does Hamlet do to underline his “crazy clown” routine? How do we know he is just acting? Give some examples from the text and explain by finding words and matching the intended meaning and the themes underlined.
  3. How does Polonius react? What does this underline about his character?
  4. What do Hamlet’s ending lines tell us (line 221-213)? What literary techniques are being used? What theme is being underlined here?

265 – 319

  1. Lines 240 to 269 have been cut out in certain versions of the play. Why do you think this is? Remember to look at the content and think of who could have been offended in the audience to make some prefer to cut this part. What themes of the play are being underlined here?
  2. The three actors in this scene are trying to make the others admit to something. Look again at the above lines and then at lines 270-292 and find out what each side is trying to find out about the other.
  3. What does Hamlet say to show his is suspicious? How does punctuation and sound reinforce this doubt?
  4. What are Hamlet’s arguments in lines 283-289 for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern telling him the truth?
  5. How are the themes of acting and appearances underlined from line 292 to the end of this extract? Is Hamlet acting a part here? How much of what he says sounds true?
  6. Does the last line of this extract reinforce the idea of Hamlet planning to use the theatre to bring out the truth?

547 – end

  1. In his second soliloquy, Hamlet bemoans his lack of passion in comparison to “the player”. Discuss the importance of the character of Pyrrhus the player acts out in regards to Hamlet. What is Hamlet upset about?
  2. Discuss the literary techniques used in line 568 to 580. What is the effect? What is being underlined?
  3. What does Hamlet compare himself to in line 583 and why?
  4. How does the decision to play out the murder of King Hamlet ease his son’s conscience? Give quotes to back up your argument.
  1. Hamlet told Polonius that if you “use every man after his desert ... who shall ‘scape whipping” in 2.2.528. How is this thought underlined in his soliloquy?
  2. Answer the following question to fill in your “quote chart” for Act 2
  3. Find two references for disease or decay in this section. What imagery is used to bring it out?
  4. Who is acting a part here and in what ways?
  5. How does Hamlet discover that “time is out of joint” in this act?
  6. What quotes do you feel are important to put under the themes of madness and revenge after reading this act?

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