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Hamlet

Delve into the irony of Polonius' actions in Paris and Hamlet's mad love for Ophelia. Explore how Ophelia's betrayal escalates the tragic plot and the role of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as potential spies. Discover the significance of the players and Hamlet's witty banter with Polonius in these key scenes.

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Hamlet

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  1. Hamlet Act II, scene i KDDK

  2. 1. What is ironic about Polonius’ attempt to learn about Laertes’ life in Paris? • If Reynaldo follows Polonius’ instruction, he will essentially ruin Laertes’ reputation while trying to gather information. KDDK

  3. 2. Why would Polonius immediately jump to the conclusion that Hamlet is mad for Ophelia’s love? • Ophelia’s description of Hamlet in unfastened and rumpled clothing is the Renaissance convention of the “man suffering from unrequited love.” As Ophelia has broken off al contact with Hamlet—at Polonius’ command—he readily interprets his appearance and actions, as described by Ophelia, to be signs of unrequited love. KDDK

  4. 3. Consider how the episode of Hamlet in Ophelia’s closet promises to contribute to the overall calamity of the tragic plot? • Ophelia has now allied herself with those who oppose Hamlet. If Hamlet does indeed love Ophelia, then her breaking up with him is just another betrayal—like his mother’s hasty marriage to his uncle and her role in his father’s murder. If he does not really love her, then he is using her to advance his madness ruse. In either event, she is now involved in the intrigue and corruption of the court and will probably not escape being destroyed in the calamity. KDDK

  5. Hamlet Act II, scene ii KDDK

  6. 1. Are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern willing spies for Claudius and Gertrude? • Probably not. Gertrude flatters them by telling them that Hamlet often speaks of them as his favorite childhood friends and still feels a good bit of affection for them. Claudius frames his “request” in terms of two friends finding out what is wrong with their third friend so that they can help his family find the remedy. KDDK

  7. 2. What effect is created by the scenes between Hamlet and Polonius being in prose? • Hamlet’s part of the dialogue relies on slang and puns. Shakespeare wants to emphasize these. Polonius’ prose responses also highlight his own foolishness and lack of wit. KDDK

  8. 3. What are some of the slang expressions and puns Hamlet uses in his first exchange with Polonius? Why are they significant? • First Hamlet calls Polonius a “fishmonger,” literally a lower-class hawker of common fish from a wagon. “Fishmonger” has also been generally regarded to mean some form of a pimp, given the fact that Polonius first ordered his daughter to sever her relationship with Hamlet and then later ran to the king excitedly to report that Hamlet was truly in love with her. He has already arranged to spy on his own daughter and Hamlet in order to maintain or increase his political influence with the king and queen. KDDK

  9. When Polonius asks Hamlet what he is reading, Hamlet replies, “Words.” When Polonius follows up with “What is the matter?” meaning what is the subject matter of the words Hamlet is reading, Hamlet responds to another understanding of the question(what is the problem): “Between who?” • Later, Polonius says he will “take” his leave, and Hamlet responds there is nothing he would give more willingly; thus Polonius does not need to “take” it since Hamlet will gladly “give” it. KDDK

  10. 4. What is Hamlet’s initial reaction to the appearance of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? • He is glad to see them, yet as the scene progresses, he wonders if they were sent for and wants them to be honest with him. KDDK

  11. 5. Why are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern hesitant to admit that they are in Elsinore because the king and queen sent for them? • On the one hand, to admit that they were sent for might be to admit that they are spies; they did not think to come on their own but came when they were summoned. Note that they confess to being summoned only when Hamlet demands that, if they love him, they will tell him. KDDK

  12. 7. Why does Shakespeare introduce a troupe of traveling players into the action of the play? • The players will be the vehicle by which Shakespeare can evaluate various characters’ reactions to events and characters in the play. Hamlet can assess his own inaction in terms of the actor’s pretended grief. Hamlet can also use the scene portraying his father’s murder to observe Claudius’ and Gertrude’s reactions. KDDK

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