Act 2 Scene 1

Question 1

What is the setting of Act 2 Scene 2 of Hamlet?

Answer 1

The setting is in the castle of Elsinore.

Question 2

Who enters first in Act 2 Scene 2?

Answer 2

King Claudius and Queen Gertrude enter first.

Question 3

What does Polonius believe about Hamlet’s behavior?

Answer 3

Polonius believes that Hamlet’s madness is due to his love for Ophelia.

Question 4

True or False: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sent to spy on Hamlet.

Answer 4

True

Question 5

What does Claudius ask Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to do?

Answer 5

Claudius asks them to find out the cause of Hamlet’s strange behavior.

Question 6

Fill in the blank: Polonius uses _______ to confirm his theory about Hamlet’s madness.

Answer 6

Ophelia

Question 7

What is the main purpose of the players’ arrival in Act 2 Scene 2?

Answer 7

The players arrive to perform a play for the court.

Question 8

What play does Hamlet ask the players to perform?

Answer 8

Hamlet asks them to perform ‘The Murder of Gonzago.’

Question 9

How does Hamlet plan to use the play?

Answer 9

Hamlet plans to use the play to gauge Claudius’s guilt.

Question 10

Who is the character that delivers the famous line ‘the play’s the thing’?

Answer 10

Hamlet

Question 11

What does Hamlet say about the nature of acting?

Answer 11

Hamlet reflects on the ability of actors to portray emotions convincingly.

Question 12

What does Polonius suggest to Claudius about Hamlet?

Answer 12

Polonius suggests that Hamlet’s madness is due to his love for Ophelia.

Question 13

True or False: Hamlet expresses excitement about the players’ arrival.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What does Hamlet ask the players to add to their performance?

Answer 14

Hamlet asks them to add lines that reflect the murder of his father.

Question 15

What does Claudius fear regarding Hamlet?

Answer 15

Claudius fears that Hamlet poses a threat to his throne.

Question 16

What does Hamlet mean by ‘I have of late…lost all my mirth’?

Answer 16

He expresses his deep sadness and disillusionment.

Question 17

Who does Hamlet refer to when he says ‘the king doth wake tonight’?

Answer 17

He refers to King Claudius.

Question 18

What is Polonius’s plan to test his theory about Hamlet?

Answer 18

Polonius plans to eavesdrop on a conversation between Hamlet and Ophelia.

Question 19

Fill in the blank: The players are also known as _______.

Answer 19

the troupe

Question 20

What does Hamlet call the world in his soliloquy?

Answer 20

He calls it an ‘unweeded garden.’

Question 21

Who are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

Answer 21

They are childhood friends of Hamlet.

Question 22

What does Hamlet accuse Rosencrantz and Guildenstern of?

Answer 22

He accuses them of being spies for the king.

Question 23

What is the significance of the play within the play?

Answer 23

It serves as a device to reveal Claudius’s guilt.

Question 24

How does Hamlet feel about the players?

Answer 24

He admires their ability to convey emotion.

Question 25

Fill in the blank: Hamlet’s famous soliloquy reflects his struggle with _______.

Answer 25

depression

Question 26

What does Hamlet mean by ‘to be or not to be’?

Answer 26

He contemplates existence and the nature of life.

Question 27

What does Polonius think of Hamlet’s madness?

Answer 27

He believes it is caused by unrequited love.

Question 28

What does Hamlet ask the actors to do before performing?

Answer 28

He asks them to rehearse and perform well.

Question 29

True or False: Hamlet trusts Rosencrantz and Guildenstern completely.

Answer 29

False

Question 30

How does the scene end?

Answer 30

It ends with Hamlet preparing for the performance of the play.

Question 31

What literary device is prominently used in Hamlet’s soliloquy?

Answer 31

Soliloquy

Question 32

What theme is explored through Hamlet’s interactions with the players?

Answer 32

The theme of appearance versus reality.

Question 33

What does Hamlet hope to achieve by watching Claudius during the play?

Answer 33

He hopes to see if Claudius reacts guiltily.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: Hamlet’s emotional turmoil is a central _______ of Act 2 Scene 2.

Answer 34

conflict