Act II, Scene 1
Act 2 opens in a room in Polonius' house, two months after _________________ has seen his father's ghost. Polonius is making arrangements to send his servant, Reynaldo, to Paris to spy on _________________ . Polonius justifies his actions by arguing that he is only concerned for the well-being of his son, so far away from home.
The frightened _________________ rushes into the room to tell her father that Hamlet came to see her while she was sewing, and that it had been a terrifying experience. _________________ at once assumes that the loss of Ophelia's affections has driven Hamlet insane. He expresses regret that he ever asked his daughter to behave so heartlessly toward the love-sick prince, and he decides the King must know that Hamlet has gone mad.
Act II, Scene 2
King Claudius has noticed Hamlet's strange behaviour even before old Polonius can tell his tale. _________________has summoned two of Hamlet's classmates at Wittenberg -- Guildenstern and Rosencrantz -- hoping that they will be able to uncover what has sparked such a transformation in Hamlet. The two leave to seek out the Prince and Polonius is granted license to speak before the King and Queen. He begins a tiresome explanation of his theories about the nature of Hamlet's madness, and produces a love letter that _________________has sent to Ophelia. The _________________ believes Polonius is probably right, and she knows that her hasty marriage and the death of Hamlet's father have also been responsible for his dramatic change in behaviour. In the midst of the discussion, the King receives good news from his messengers, Voltimand and Cornelius, back from Norway. They inform him that the King of Norway has decided to redirect his attack toward Poland, if the Norwegian army is granted safe passage through _________________. Happy with the news, the King turns again to Polonius, and, after more tedious pontificating by the old man, the King agrees to eavesdrop on Hamlet when he next visits Ophelia. Polonius sees _________________approaching and he advises the King and Queen to leave him alone with the Prince. Hamlet does speak with Polonius, but his answers nonsensical and rude; due not only to his desire to perpetuate his facade as a madman, but also to his utter lack of regard for Polonius, whom he sees as a "great baby." After a few moments, Polonius gives up, convinced that Hamlet's babbling is a result of his insanity. _________________and Guildenstern enter the room and Hamlet greets them with excitement. Hamlet makes the two admit that they are spies of the King and then gives them an answer to the burning question: the trouble is, simply put, melancholia.
Rosencrantz tells Hamlet that the players will be there soon, and when they do arrive, Hamlet greets them enthusiastically and asks the First Player to recite a scene from a story about the Trojan War. Hamlet is so moved that he asks the First Player to stop speaking and also to perform a play in front of the court that evening. The play will be The Murder of Gonzago, and Hamlet will intermittently add dialogue that he himself will write. Polonius leads Rozencrantz and _________________ away, and Hamlet is left alone, safe to reveal his secret anguish.
Hamlet still cannot decide what is true or untrue; right or wrong. Is the Ghost an evil spirit? Is it tempting the Prince to orchestrate his own demise? Hamlet must be sure of his uncle's guilt before seeking revenge. His plan is to re-enact the murder of his father during the production of The Murder of Gonzago. If _________________ turns pale, Hamlet will have his proof:
“The play's the thing
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.” (2.2.606-07)
ACT III Study Read ACT III on your own and answer the following questions:
ACT III SCENE 1
1. The “To be or not to be” soliloquy 3.1. 56-89) is considered one of the most famous speeches by Shakespeare. Closely read this speech again and answer the following:
a. Define the word: “malcontent”
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b. Why might this speech be considered the musings of a malcontent? What quotations allow this reading?
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c. Define the word: “antithesis”
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d. How does Shakespeare use antithesis and imagery to communicate Hamlet’s melancholy to the audience?
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2. The King and Queen have a discussion concerning Hamlet with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern at the beginning of this scene.
a. Claudius asks why Hamlet “puts on this confusion, / Grating so harshly all his days of quiet / With turbulent and dangerous lunacy?” (lines 3 & 4). What do you think he means?
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b. What response do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern give to the king?
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c. What does Claudius hear from Polonius, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern that delights him? (lines 17 – 29)
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3. Hamlet then speaks his most famous soliloquy (To be or not to be…) in lines 64 – 98. Unlike Hamlet's first two major soliloquies, his third and most famous speech seems to be governed by reason and not frenzied emotion.
What is Hamlet questioning?
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4. Hamlet and Ophelia meet and talk in lines 99 – 162.
a. How does Hamlet respond when Ophelia approaches him, wishing to return his tokens of love? (lines 102 – 130).
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b. Hamlet asks if Ophelia is honest in line 113 and then procedes to discuss beauty and honesty. What is he trying to say to Ophelia? (lines 117 – 129)
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c. In lines 131 – 132 Hamlet urges Ophelia to enter a nunnery instead of “be / a breeder of sinners” (Lines 132 – 140).
What are some things that he says to Ophelia regarding how awful men are, including himself?
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d. In line 151 Hamlet tells Ophelia that women make “monsters” out of men. He then clarifies this in lines 154 – 162.
What is he trying to say about Ophelia and women in general?
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ACT III SCENE 2
1. Hamlet gives instructions to the players in lines 1 – 15 & 17 - 37 & 40 – 47.
What is he advising them of and why?
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2. Hamlet and Horatio speak.
a. Hamlet praises his friend Horatio for his rational mind and manner and ability to control his emotions in lines 59 – 79.
Why does Hamlet say that he doesn’t need to flatter Horatio?
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b. What does Hamlet explain to Horatio in lines 80 – 92?
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3. Summarise the story of the play and Claudius’s reaction.
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ACT III SCENE 3
1. In lines 1 – 28 Claudius again meets with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
a. What does he order Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do & why? (lines 1 – 7).
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b. Guildenstern replies to the king: “We will ourselves provide / Most holy and religious fear it is / To keep those many, many bodies safe / That live and feed upon your majesty” (lines 8 – 11). What does he mean?
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2. Polonius then tells the king that Hamlet is going to his mother’s room to speak to her.
Polonius is going to spy and then report back to Claudius. After Polonius leaves, Claudius reflects on his situation. (lines 40 – 76).
a. Claudius says, “Oh, my offence is rank. It smells to heaven. / It hath the primal eldest curse upon ’t, / A brother’s murder” (lines 40 – 42). Explain what he is saying and explain the allusion.
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b. Claudius tries to pray, but says, “Pray can I not. / Though inclination be as sharp as will, / My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent” (lines 42 – 44). Explain this and what he is expressing in the rest of his soliloquy?
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3. Hamlet sneaks up on the king and draws out his sword. The king is alone, so this would be the perfect time to kill him. (Lines 77 – 100).
a. So why doesn't Hamlet kill him at this moment?
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b. When does he decide to kill him?
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c. Does Hamlet use this as an excuse to further delay the killing of Claudius or do you think that his conscience will not allow him to commit premeditated murder? _________________________________________________________________
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ACT III SCENE 4
1. How does Hamlet verbally attack his mother in lines 11 – 27?
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2. Why does Polonius give away that he (or someone) is listening to the conversation?
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3. After Hamlet stabs Polonius through the curtain, thinking it was Claudius, Gertrude says his action was a “rash and bloody” deed (line 33).
a. How does Hamlet reply, and what does this tell us? (lines 34 – 37)
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b. What does Hamlet say to show that he does not feel any remorse in killing Polonius? (lines 38 – 40).
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4. Hamlet then presses contrasting pictures of the late King Hamlet with his brother Claudius in Gertrude's face. (lines 63 – 98). How does he compare the two men? (lines 63 - 75).
a. King Hamlet I
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b. Claudius
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c. How does Gertrude react to Hamlet’s verbal attack? (lines 99 – 109)
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5. The Ghost reappears and has a conversation with Hamlet in lines 118 – 131.
a. Why is the Ghost appearing and what does he say to Hamlet?
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b. How does Gertrude react to the Ghost of Hamlet?
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6. Why do you think that Hamlet confronted his mother in this scene? What was his point in doing this?
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7. What do we learn about Gertrude in this scene?
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8. Do you think she is guilty of helping Claudius kill King Hamlet? Why or why not?
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9. Write a journal entry on your thoughts as to Act III. Is Hamlet acting too quickly? Too slowly? Or would there be a better method to discover what he needs to know? Some people believe him mad. Do you agree? Why or why not?
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