English 022 Name______
Mrs. Wiley
Hamlet – Act Two Study Guide
Scene 1
1. Where is Reynaldo going? To see whom? Why?
2. How does Polonius instruct Reynaldo to get information regarding his son’s (Laertes) activities?
3. How does this method fit in with the theme of the play?
4. What has frightened Ophelia?
5. What do we know that she doesn’t?
6. What is Polonius’s diagnosis? What is his fear for Hamlet?
7. What does Polonius say about the character of older people? Younger people? (lines 127-132) Do you agree or disagree? Explain.
Scene 2
1. Who are Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern? Why are the king and queen meeting with them?
2. What does their acceptance of the assignment say about their characters? Under what circumstance could you see yourself doing the same thing?
Act Two/Scene 2
3. Polonius has two pieces of news for Claudius. What are they? Which one do you think Claudius is more eager to hear?
4. What does Gertrude think is wrong with Hamlet?
5. What is Voltemand’s news regarding the King of Norway? What is Fortinbras given permission to do?
6. What is ironic about Polonius’s statement, “Brevity is the soul of wit” (line 96)?
7. What does Polonius tell Claudius and Gertrude is wrong with Hamlet? What is his evidence?
8. Summarize how Polonius told Ophelia to handle Hamlet’s love.
9. What is the plan to “test” Polonius’s theory?
10. Hamlet uses verbal irony when he calls Polonius a “fishmonger.” Explain.
11. What evidence is there that Hamlet overheard Claudius and Polonius’s plan before entering the room?
12. Hamlet’s speech about “slanders” (lines 209+) is directed at whom?
Act Two/Scene 2
13. Fortune is personified (apostrophe) in lines 241-247. What is the joke R & G are making?
14. In what sense is Denmark a prison to Hamlet?
15. Explain Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s conversation about dreams, shadows, and ambition (lines 263-276).
16. What does Hamlet guess immediately about Rosenkrantz and Guildenstern?
17. What does Hamlet say is wrong with him?
18. Shakespeare comments on current events when he writes about the actors being driven from the city by a new fad (lines 333-359). What is it?
19. What does Hamlet say about changing opinions and human nature? Do you agree or disagree (lines 366-370)? Explain.
Research/Glossary - Identify the following:
Seneca –
Plautus –
Jephthah –
Aeneas –
Dido –
Priam –
Pyrrhus –
Hyrcania –
Ilium –
Cyclops –
Mars –
Hecuba –
20. What criticism does Hamlet heap on Polonius when talking to the actors?
21. What excellent advice does Hamlet give regarding the treatment of the actors (lines 529-532)? How can we all use this advice?
22. What special request does Hamlet make of the actors (lines 538-540)?
23. Hamlet’s soliloquy at the end of scene 2 is a brutal self-critique. What is the major issue? What is his plan to expose Claudius? What is his concern regarding the Ghost?