Act 2 Scene 1 Flashcards
Polonius send Reynaldo to spy on Laertes, Ophelia informs Polonius of Hamlet's madness
What does Polonius instruct Reynaldo to do?
“make inquire about his behaviour” - instructs him to go spy on Laertes
How should Reynaldo act when he is spying on Laertes?
“Take you as ‘twere some distant knowledge of him, As thus, ‘I know his father and his friends, and in part him’” - he should act as if he is slightly acquainted with him, Polonius gives him the example of saying he has mutual friends and knows Laertes’ father.
What must Reynaldo not do?
“there put on him what forgeries you please, marry none so rank as may dishonour him” - make up some stuff about him that makes him seem wild but nothing TOO reckless that will dishonour him and hurt his reputation.
What examples does Polonius give that Reynaldo may say Laertes does?
“drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling”
What does Polonius class as a dishonourable thing? Which Reynaldo should not say Laertes does?
“You must not put another scandal on him, that he is open to incontinency” - he can’t say Laertes is promiscuous”
How can we see Polonius has power and authority over Reynaldo?
“But my good Lord-“ - he interrupts Reynaldo and speaks much more than him.
How can we tell that Polonius is a bit full of himself and a bit idiotic?
“he does- what was I about to say?… Where did I leave?”
How does Polonius emphasise the theme of deception?
He tells Reynaldo to go spy on Laertes
How does Polonius claim this deception will help?
“Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth… by indirections find directions out” - he claims that through manipulation and deception, you can find the truth out.
How does Ophelia describe Hamlet’s appearance now?
“his stockings fouled, ungartered, and down-gyved to his ankle… as if he’d been loosed out of hell”
What does Polonius suggest is the reason for Hamlet’s insanity?
“Mad for thy love?” - believes Hamlet is mad because of his love for Ophelia.
What does Ophelia say Hamlet did?
“He took my by the wrist, and held me hard… He falls to such perusal of my face as ‘a would draw it… he raised a sigh so piteous and profound as it did seem to shatter all his bulk… that done, he lets me go, and with his head over his shoulder turned… and to the last bended their light on me” - Hamlet grabbed her, stared at her, sighed at her, let go and walked away while keeping his eyes fixed on her.
What does Polonius say is the reason for Hamlet looking at Ophelia and grabbing her in such a way?
“This is the very ecstasy of love, whose violent property fordoes itself, and leads the will to desperate undertakings as oft as any passion under haven that does affict our natures” - it is love, the kind that causes self-destruction
Why is Ophelia confused by this? Why does she think his love for her isn’t the reason he’s mad?
“as you did command, I did repel his letter, and denied his access to me”
Why does Polonius say the king should be informed of this?
“This must be known, which, being kept close might move more grief to hide than hate to utter love” - keeping it quiet might cause even more grief”
