Act 2 Scene 2 continued

Question 1

What happens in this part of 2.2?

Answer 1

-Hamlet is now behaving in the same unstable manner that Ophelia was
-Hamlet is suspiscious of R and G
-Hamlet meets a group of actors to play ‘The Murder of Gonzago’

Question 2

What are the connotations of Hamlet’s description of Polonius as a ‘fishmonger’?

Answer 2

Hamlet reduced Polonius’ status

Question 3

What is significant about Hamlet’s comment that, ‘To be honest is to be one man/ picked out of ten thousand’

Answer 3

Hamlet is refering to R and G betraying him. Alludes to ideas of the body politik as they are acting under the King

Question 4

After Polonius exits the scene, Hamlet mutters, ‘tedious old fools’. What does Shakespeare suggest here about Hamlet’s supposed madness?

Answer 4

That Hamlet’s madness is too cotrolled for it to be natural.

Question 5

What critic is connected to this scene?

Answer 5

‘Hamlet can be privlidged in madness to say things about the corruption of human nature’ (Mack)