"My lord we were sent for". Hamlet Act 2 Review Questions 120"In her excellent white bosom, these, etc.". Polonius is a verbose, faltering old man whose servile devotion to Claudius renders him slimy, untrustworthy, and pathetic in the eyes of Hamlet. Polonius decides he has to continue engaging Hamlet, so he asks what Hamlet is reading. Eventually, we get to the part about Hecuba, Priam's wife, who's pretty upset by the whole thing. But my uncle-father and aunt-mother aredeceived. HAMLET Well ha t tomorrow night. Do you agree with Polonius and Ophelias assessment [of Hamlets craziness]?Is Hamlets scene in Ophelias chamber a sign that he has been driven crazy by love for her, or is it a sign of something else? Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain, Am I a coward?But I am pigeon-livered and lack gall to make oppression bitter, both said by: Hamlet meaning: I am afraid, Ill have these players play something like the murder of my father before mine uncle, Ill observe his looks, said by: Hamletmeaning: the play will reenact the murder to see how Claudius reacts, said by: Hamletmeaning: If Claudius react, I know the ghost was telling the truth, The spirit that I have seen may be a devil and the devil hath power I assume a pleasing shape, said by: Hamletmeaning: the ghost may look good but be bad, The plays thing wherin Ill catch the conscience of the King, said by: Hamletmeaning:through the Murder of Gonzago I hope to catch my uncle. Polonius also provides Hamlet with its main source of comic relief. Explain why Polonius thinks Hamlet is or is not insane. Claudius agrees to see the ambassadors first, but can't resist telling Gertrude that Polonius has figured out what's bugging Hamlet. Hamlet - Act 2, scene 2 | Folger Shakespeare Library 4. 275. She says Hamlet looked terrible, all pale and wobbly-kneed and disheveled, with his shirt hanging open and his stockings bunched up at his ankles. Why does Hamlet ask that this particular speech be recited? HAMLET You cannot, sir, take from me anything that Iwill more willingly part withalexcept my life,except my life, except my life. Why does Polonius think Hamlet is acting strangely? Hamlet, however, has his own ruse going, so he deliberately misunderstands Polonius's questions. Politics, however, change everything. He keeps coming at Hamlet with more words, words, words. Original Translation Trumpets sound. He's a coward and a dreamer because he hasn't made any plans to kill his uncle. How do both Polonius and Ophelia interpret this event? Is it a free visitation?Come, come, deal justly with me. change some of the lines in the play so that it reenacts the ghosts version of the real death of his father to see how claudius reacts. HAMLET How chances it they travel? What do you think of Polonius's method of testing his hypothesis? KING CLAUDIUS:Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius? the roof of the castle in all its beauty to Hamlet is.? But it was (as Ireceived it, and others whose judgments in suchmatters cried in the top of mine) an excellent play,well digested in the scenes, set down with as muchmodesty as cunning. Something have you heardOf Hamlets transformation, so call it, 5Sith nor th exterior nor the inward manResembles that it was. What is the function of "fish" and "king" here? Beyond his cowardice, he's ashamed that even when Heaven and Hell would have him take revenge, he can only prance about and whine. Wellhave a speech straight. I assure my good liegeI hold my duty as I hold my soul,Both to my God and to my gracious king,And I do think, or else this brain of mineHunts not the trail of policy so sure 50As it hath used to do, that I have foundThe very cause of Hamlets lunacy. Welcome, my good friends.Say, Voltemand, what from our brother Norway? the truth, why they are here he asks them 3 or 4 times, What does Hamlet finally say to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? It'll take you less than five minutes.) But beshrew my jealousy!By heaven, it is as proper to our ageTo cast beyond ourselves in our opinionsAs it is common for the younger sortTo lack discretion. HAMLET Gentlemen, you are welcome to Elsinore.Your hands, come then. As a result, he forbids his daughter to communicate with the prince for her safety and dignity. As mentioned above, regicide is not to be taken lightly . (Really. (long thing), I am going to tell you why you were sent for: Ive lost all my joy and dont do my daily routine, life is meaningless, it doesnt matter how beautiful things are to me it means nothing. What reason might Hamlet have for calling Polonius what he does in scene ii, line 400? GUILDENSTERN What should we say, my lord? For it cannot beBut I am pigeon-livered and lack gallTo make oppression bitter, or ere this 605I should have fatted all the region kitesWith this slaves offal. Guildenstern and Rosencrantz agree to snoop aroundfor Hamlet's benefit, of coursethough we're sure the monetary reward is a helpful motivator, too. POLONIUS My lord, I have news to tell you. HAMLET O Jephthah, judge of Israel, what a treasurehadst thou! 245. We looked at a number of questions, and I thought I would see what the assembled masses of educators thought! HAMLET Am I not i th right, old Jephthah? HAMLET For if the sun breed maggots in a deaddog, being a good kissing carrionHave you adaughter? Claudius asks how Ophelia responded to Hamlet's letters and flirtations, and Polonius makes sure they understand that he acted properly, as always. Powered by WordPress. (Hamlet is the prince, after all.). Well hear a playtomorrow. Ah, Rosencrantz! REYNALDO My lord, that would dishonor him. When speaking to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, what does Hamlet tell them that the earth and the air are like to him? As Reynaldo exits, Ophelia enters, all shook up about something. Who does me this?Ha! Educators go through a rigorous application process, and every answer they submit is reviewed by our in-house editorial team. 600Tweaks me by the nose? At the end of Act 1, Hamlet declared that he would put an "antic disposition" on. Then he finally made his way out the door without ever taking his eyes off of her. 190. GUILDENSTERNHappy in that we are not overhappy.On Fortunes cap, we are not the very button. Their residence,both in reputation and profit, was better both ways. What players are they? HAMLET Tis well. My good friends,Ill leave you till night. Accessed 9 July 2023. Who are the experts?Our certified Educators are real professors, teachers, and scholars who use their academic expertise to tackle your toughest questions. said by: Guildenstern. Hamlet Reading Questions (Bedford) How does Hamlet react to hearing the speech? Hamlet's cray-cray behavior hasClaudius and Gertrude worried. Canyou play The Murder of Gonzago? When thewind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw. Moreover that we much did long to see you, The need we have to use you did provoke Our hasty sending. Polonius delves deeper and asks Hamlet what the words are about. Ophelia promised to obey. Unequal matched,Pyrrhus at Priam drives, in rage strikes wide;But with the whiff and wind of his fell swordTh unnervd father falls. At the end of the act, what does Hamlet ask of Horatio and the others? The main reason why Polonius thinks that Hamlet is mad is because of his obsessive love for Ophelia. 30. Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other, And with a look so piteous in purport. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern passed them on their way there. Hamlet's Behavior with Ophelia He adds that after all, Polonius would only be as old as Hamletif time went backwards. HAMLET That you must teach me. He cannot confide in Ophelia, so he must break off the relationship--something she's already done anyway. HAMLET Then are our beggars bodies, and our monarchsand outstretched heroes the beggars shadows.Shall we to th court? Foh!About, my brains!Hum, I have heardThat guilty creatures sitting at a playHave, by the very cunning of the scene,Been struck so to the soul that presently 620They have proclaimed their malefactions;For murder, though it have no tongue, will speakWith most miraculous organ. (This is more of an opinionated question, so you can just think of the answer on your own.). I'm not so sure about the trust thing, as he confides only in Horatio and his realization that Ophelia has betrayed him to her father seems rather a surprise to him. HAMLET Anything but to th purpose. 385. Use every 555man after his desert and who shall scapewhipping? to France to spy on Laertes and make sure that he is behaving, even with all of the nice words he said to him he still doesnt trust him. Of course, according to Polonius, this rejection by Ophelia led directly to Hamlet's mad behavior. So, he planned to act mad--perhaps so that he would be able to minimize his seeming threat to Claudius, to gather more information, to stall until he came up with a plan, to hide his true emotions, to provide a cover for his eventual act of revenge--insanity. Quotes Madness I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on (I.v.) I remember one said there 465were no sallets in the lines to make the mattersavory, nor no matter in the phrase that might indictthe author of affection, but called it an honestmethod, as wholesome as sweet and, by very much,more handsome than fine. HAMLET What, are they children? HAMLET My excellent good friends! Also, Ophelia's genuine, terrible distress and the very specific details of Hamlet's appearance and behavior that she recounts add credence to the perception that he truly has gone mad. When Hamlet enters reading a book, Polonius tells the King and Queen to skedaddle. Laertes says Hamlet is using her for sex. said by: Poloniusmeaning: Ophelias rejection made Hamlet crazy, Moreover that we much did long to see you, the need we have to use you did provoke, said by: King Claudiusmeaning: King sent for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to use them to spy on Hamlet, Some little time, so by your companies to draw him on to pleasures, and to gather so much as from occasion you may glean, said by: King Claudiusmeaning: find out information about Hamlet and report it back to us, that I have found the very cause of Hamlets lunacy, said by: Poloniusmeaning: I known why Hamlet is crazy, I doubt it no other but the main- his fathers death and our over hasty marriage, said by: Queen Gertrudemeaning: I suspect Hamlet is crazy for no other reason than his fathers death and our overhasty marriage. POLONIUS, aside How say you by that? OPHELIAMy lord, as I was sewing in my closet,Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced,No hat upon his head, his stockings fouled,Ungartered, and down-gyvd to his ankle, 90Pale as his shirt, his knees knocking each other,And with a look so piteous in purportAs if he had been loosd out of hellTo speak of horrorshe comes before me. Something have you heard Of Hamlet's transformation so I call it Ophelia assures her father that she hasn't said anything extra mean to Hamlet lately. 3. Why? Why does the Queen hope Polonius theory about Hamlet is right? Why Does Polonius Think Hamlet Is Mad? - GradesFixer Fie upon t! POLONIUS My lord, I will use them according to theirdesert. "I taught act 2, scene 1 ofHamlet today, when Ophelia goes running to Polonius because Hamlet has just appeared in his "distracted" state as she was sewing. Polonius advises his servant, Reynaldo, to spy on his son, Laertes, who has just departed for Paris. Earlier in the scene, what does he tell Polonius that he should do in regard to his daughter? Polonius agreed, and forbids Ophelia be with Hamlet anymore. Next up on the "What's wrong with Hamlet?" I believe Hamlet does love Ophelia. HAMLET No such matter. Unformatted text preview: He plans for them to perform the play The Murder of Gonzago in front of King Claudius and Gertrude in the hopes that the king will reveal his guilt.5) What does Hamlet reveal in his soliloquy found at the end of the act? I like your questions, and there are probably many different answers, but this is what I think. Fortinbras is threatening to attack Denmark, a national crisis, and no one wants to see the ruler as crazy Seneca cannot be too heavy, norPlautus too light. He tells me, my dear Gertrude, he hath foundThe head and source of all your sons distemper. One speech in t I 470chiefly loved. Swounds, I should take it! Is Claudius really guilty, and if so, how can he prove it? Turns out the speech Hamlet wants is the tale Aeneas told Dido about Priam's murder, all drawn from Virgil'sAeneid. He thinks Ophelia's rejection have been too much for Hamlet, that Hamlet lovesick. Hamlet Quotes: Madness | SparkNotes Match Created by mgb15 Terms in this set (35) Where does Polonius send Reynaldo? For, by my fay, I cannotreason. You arewelcome. My lord, as I was sewing in my closet, Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced, No hat upon his head, his stockings fouled, Ungartered, and down-gyvd to his ankle, 90. But, Polonius says, be sure to spy on Laertes a bunch first. HAMLET I heard thee speak me a speech once, but itwas never acted, or, if it was, not above once; forthe play, I remember, pleased not the million: 460twas caviary to the general. Is this the way we would expect Hamlet to act after Ophelia's description in 2.1? Polonius tells Reynaldo what he expects him to do on his mission abroadReynaldo is to gather information on what Laertes is up to in Paris by infiltrating the fringes of Laertes's social scene and finding out, from young Danes and Parisians in . Dost thou hear me, old friend? ROSENCRANTZ Even those you were wont to take suchdelight in, the tragedians of the city. 195. But there is, sir, an aerie of children, littleeyases, that cry out on the top of question and aremost tyrannically clapped for t. He basically asks how the actor can weep for a fictional character, while he himself does nothing about his own father's very real death. 75. 90Most welcome home! He first lies down at her feet, and then, with her permission, lays his head in her lap. At night well feast together. 270. It might be interesting to revisit this topic after the "get thee to a nunnery" scene. Why have Rosencrantz and Guildenstern come to the castle? Will they pursue the qualityno longer than they can sing? They both are sending someone to figure out things about their son. If he doesn't love her, how does he show it? He wants a chance to question Hamlet and get some more insight. Act 2 Discussion Questions - 1 Why does Polonius think Take them in. POLONIUSCome, go with me. 185Ill board him presently. Hamlet says that even though "conception," as in understanding, is a good thing, "conception," when it means getting pregnant, wouldn't be such a good thing for Ophelia. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Framing Ophelia: Representation and the Pictorial Tradition, Grinning Death's-Head: Hamlet and the Vision of the Grotesque, Mourning and Misogyny: Hamlet, The Revenger's Tragedy, and the Final Progress of Elizabeth I, 1600-1607, Nobler in the Mind: The Dialect in Hamlet, The 'Heart of My Mystery': Hamlet and Secrets, The First Quarto of Hamlet: Reforming Widow Gertred. Hamlet expresses some interest in the actors and asks which troupe it is that's headed to the castle. I entreat you both 10That, being of so young days brought up with himAnd sith so neighbored to his youth and havior,That you vouchsafe your rest here in our courtSome little time, so by your companiesTo draw him on to pleasures, and to gather 15So much as from occasion you may glean,Whether aught to us unknown afflicts him thusThat, opened, lies within our remedy. Still harping onmy daughter. the passionate players speech and how it moved people to tears but Hamlet says that he is the one who should be passionate, he has a goal but he hasnt done anything yet (tragic flaw). Long stayed he so.At last, a little shaking of mine arm,And thrice his head thus waving up and down, 105He raised a sigh so piteous and profoundAs it did seem to shatter all his bulkAnd end his being. Conception is ablessing, but, as your daughter may conceive,friend, look to t. A. Do you hear, let them be well used,for they are the abstract and brief chronicles of the 550time. What is Polonius' plan for testing his theory that Hamlet is love-crazy? Rosencrantz and Guildenstern finally meet with Hamlet, and Hamlet discovers they were sent . We looked at a number of. POLONIUSGood madam, stay awhile. Then senseless Ilium,Seeming to feel this blow, with flaming top 500Stoops to his base, and with a hideous crashTakes prisoner Pyrrhus ear. have you been mean to him? In act 1, scene 3 of Hamlet, what is Polonius's advice to Laertes? Hamlet's entrance so alarms Gertrude that she cries out for help. Hamlet says that while he agrees with the assessment (a direct insult to Polonius), he doesn't think it's very nice that someone wrote it down. Surely, he'll know what to do. Expert Answers Joel Seligmann | Certified Educator Share In Act 1, there is no reference to why Polonius may think Hamlet is mad. By r Lady, your Ladyshipis nearer to heaven than when I saw you last, by 450the altitude of a chopine. Polonius suggests that Hamlet is mad because Ophelia began to reject him, and he is mad for her love. O Jephthah, judge of ISrael, what a treasure hadst thou! (Hamlet is comparing Polonius to Jephthah because both doomed their daughters to not having normal, full lives.) But your news is nottrue. That done, he lets me go,And, with his head over his shoulder turned,He seemed to find his way without his eyes, 110For out o doors he went without their helpsAnd to the last bended their light on me. There was for a while nomoney bid for argument unless the poet and theplayer went to cuffs in the question. 610Why, what an ass am I! She just followed her dad's orders to keep her distance from Hamlet and not accept anymore of his love letters. He's actually superexcitedto see them and he asks them to perform a speech right away. 5. Still, Polonius doesn't fully understand what's going on here. ROSENCRANTZ, to Polonius God save you, sir. Hamlet decides to have the actors stage a version of his father's death in front of Claudius so he can watch Claudius' reaction. POLONIUS What a treasure had he, my lord? The Murder of Gonzago (play within the play). HAMLET Why did you laugh, then, when I said mandelights not me? Polonius Character Analysis in Hamlet | LitCharts It takes him eleven lines to say that he'll be brief, which leads Gertrude to say, "Out with it, already. Hamlets appearance was in disarray (Ophelia stated as if he had been loosed out of hell), they both thought that Hamlet was mad for Ophelias love. HAMLET: Not where he eats, but where he is eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. POLONIUSAway, I do beseech you both, away. 295Is it your own inclining? human kind is a piece of work, our reason sets us apart from animals, we are smart, all of these great things make us who we are, but although we are blessed to have all that he doesnt care about any of it, travelling group of entertainers, poor, made their living on putting on shows. Here's the deal: he's depressed, everything sucks, and he takes no delight in either men or women. What does Polonius suggest they do when the king wants to know how they can test Polonius theory? Why does he call Polonius a fishmonger? He asks if they can performThe Murder of Gonzagofor the court tomorrow nightwith the little addition of a speech that Hamlet will write himself. What does Polonius have to show the king? Head to foot,Now is he total gules, horridly trickedWith blood of fathers, mothers, daughters, sons,Baked and impasted with the parching streets,That lend a tyrannous and a damnd light 485To their lords murder. He has an idea that if the players act out his father's murder King . I have of late, butwherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone allcustom of exercises, and, indeed, it goes so heavily 320with my disposition that this goodly frame, theEarth, seems to me a sterile promontory; this mostexcellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave oerhangingfirmament, this majestical roof, frettedwith golden firewhy, it appeareth nothing to me 325but a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors.What a piece of work is a man, how noble inreason, how infinite in faculties, in form and movinghow express and admirable; in action how likean angel, in apprehension how like a god: the 330beauty of the world, the paragon of animalsandyet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust? ", POLONIUSMadam, I swear I use no art at all.That hes mad, tis true; tis true tis pity, 105And pity tis tis truea foolish figure,But farewell it, for I will use no art.Mad let us grant him then, and now remainsThat we find out the cause of this effect,Or, rather say, the cause of this defect, 110For this effect defective comes by cause.Thus it remains, and the remainder thus.Perpend.I have a daughter (have while she is mine)Who, in her duty and obedience, mark, 115Hath given me this. Polonius is beginning to see that Hamlet is speaking in double entendresa suspicion that is confirmed when Hamlet says he'd like to walk out of the fresh air and straight into his grave. Gertrude and Claudius dismiss them and a few attendants take them away to see Hamlet. I will go seek the King.This is the very ecstasy of love,Whose violent property fordoes itself 115And leads the will to desperate undertakingsAs oft as any passions under heavenThat does afflict our natures. You have me, have you not? Why does The King bring Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to the castle? . But breathe his faults soquaintly 35That they may seem the taints of liberty,The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,A savageness in unreclaimd blood,Of general assault. POLONIUS Away, I do beseech you both, away. Mandelights not me, no, nor women neither, though byyour smiling you seem to say so. Claudius has been king for like ten minutes. What's the meaning of this quote from Hamlet: "We're oft to blame and this is just too much proved that with devotion's visage and pious action we do sugar o'er the Devil himself"? You're right. where? Hamlet asks his buddies to come clean: they were sent for by the King and Queen, weren't they? POLONIUS Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing,Quarreling, drabbingyou may go so far. Why does Polonius think Hamlet is "mad"? Shakespeare was on the side of the grown up actors, and is making a little jab at the children's plays, especially when Rosencrantz refers to child actors as "little eyases" or, little hawks. Aeneas tale to Dido, speciffically about Priams murder.He says that the speech was very good and they should be treated well. You are a fishmonger. POLONIUS The actors are come hither, my lord. How does he say that he feels about men and women? How does Ophelia describe Hamlet's behavior to Polonius in Act 2 of HAMLET How comes it? I agree with those who think Hamlet was perhaps trying to create a distance between himself and Ophelia. Designed by GonThemes. O, give me leave. HAMLET It shall to the barbers with your beard.Prithee say on. ", Latest answer posted December 25, 2020 at 10:45:45 AM. His ill-treatment of her could be to test her loyalties (and I think she could have been loyal to her dad and to Hamlet, if he had given her the opportunity), and/or to make sure the information gets back to the King. Ill speak to him again.What do you read, mylord? Shoot! They ask the friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to report back to the King and Queen with any information they can gather, and Gertrude lets them know they'll be rewarded for their efforts. Chemistry Unit 2: Types of . Yet I,A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peakLike John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause, 595And can say nothingno, not for a kingUpon whose property and most dear lifeA damned defeat was made. HAMLET In the secret parts of Fortune? Polonius's actions suggest that in Hamlet, even relationships that seem loving are ambiguous, a fact which contributes to the play's atmosphere of doubt and uncertainty. said by: Hamletmeaning: man=Claudiuswoman=Gertrude. King and Queen exit with Attendants. To prove his point, he reads some love letters that the Prince wrote about how sexy she is (seriouslyhe mentions her "excellent white bosom"). POLONIUSHath there been such a time (I would fain knowthat)That I have positively said Tis so, 165When it proved otherwise? about what he thinks his son capable of? 10/6/2015 09:15:59 am When Hamlet first sees Ophelia, he is genuinely excited to see her. Polonius thinks that Hamlet is mad because he's crazy with love for Ophelia and she is ignoring him so he is depressed. 4. (Im not really sure about this one If anyone knows, let me know and Ill put it on here!). "To the celestial, and my souls idol, themost beautified Ophelia"Thats an ill phrase, a vile phrase; beautified is avile phrase. Hamlet: Polonius Quotes | SparkNotes What suggestion does Polonius make to the king and queen to explain Hamlets madness? Shakespeare also takes the chance to make fun of the folks that support the children's plays in Elizabethan England by having Hamlet compare child-play supporters to the men that used to make stupid faces at his Uncle Claudius, and now pay big money for little pictures of him. However, once he realizes that he is being spied on and that Ophelia seems to be in on the plan, he starts to act insane. Joanna B. (If you want to watch a master at work, watch David TennantofDoctor WhoandJessica Jonesfamedeliver these lines.). When the Ghost tells Hamlet about Claudius's murder, Hamlet responds strangely: he tells his friend Horatio and the watchman Marcellus that he is going to pretend to be mad. What happens when Hamlet bursts into Ophelias room? POLONIUSTh ambassadors from Norway, my good lord,Are joyfully returned. Now gather and surmise.He reads. Detailed answer: According to Polonius, several contributing factors appear to have pushed Hamlet over the edge, including his father's recent death, his mother's swift remarriage to the possible culprit and his love for Polonius' daughter Ophelia.