Act two quotes Flashcards
What does Polonius instruct Reynaldo to do? What theme comes across in this? (S1)
He instructs him to go and spy on his son Laertes.
‘Before you visit him, to make some inquire of his behaviour’
‘breathe his faults so quietly that they may seem the taints of liberty.’
Emphasises the theme of truth vs deception, and the dramatic irony in which Polonius cares for his son’s reputation but not his own.
How does Ophelia describe Hamlet’s appearance when he arrives at her ‘closet’? (S1)
‘Lord Hamlet with his doublet all unbraced, no hat upon his head, his stockings fouled…’
Why does Polonius suggest that Hamlet has appeared mad in this way? And how does Ophelia respond? What does this lead Polonius to believe? (S1)
He believes Hamlet is mad with love for Ophelia.
‘This is the very ecstasy of love’
Ophelia tells her father that ‘I did repel his letters and denied his access to me’
Polonius then believes that Hamlet has gone mad because of the rejection of Ophelia’s love for him. He wishes to inform Gertrude and Claudius of this madness- it is our first insight into Hamlet’s antic disposition.
How does Polonius suggest that they will determine Hamlet’s affectionate madness for his daughter?
‘I will loose my daughter to him. Be you and I behind an arras then.’
What does Volteman say about Fortinbras’ plan for invasion?
Fortinbras makes a vow to not invade Denmark but Poland instead. rest on political turmoil.
‘makes vow before his uncle nevermore to give the assay of arms against you majesty’
What does Hamlet call Polonius?, thus trying to get a message across through his madness?
‘Y’are a fishmonger’ - suggesting he is using his daughter as bait. Does hamlet know something about his plan?
What is Denmark according to Hamlet?
‘Denmark is a prison’
What does Hamlet say to R+G about his state of mind- reflecting on the heavens and man? And do you think he is being genuine?
‘I have of late…lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercise…’
+ ‘What a piece of work man is’
What biblical figure does Hamlet alike Polonius to?
‘Oh Jephtha judge of Israel, what a treasure hadst thou!’
What is the ancient myth that Hamlet performs for the players that they eventually take over? Why is this significant?
The myth of Pyrrhus and Priam. It is a revenge plot in which Pyrrhus avenges his father’s death by killing Priam. Priam’s wife, Hecuba, is then forced to watch. It is the third revenge plot we have seen so far within Hamlet making revenge central to the play’s themes.
How does Hamlet respond to Polonius’ snobbish nature towards the players?
'’Use every man after his own desert and who shall escape whipping?’ + ‘Lest they deserve the more merit is in your bounty’
What does Hamlet ask the players to perform the next day?
‘We’ll hear a play tomorrow…can you play The Murder of Gonzago?’
How does Hamlet tweak the play that the players are set to perform.
He inserts a speech he has made up himself into the performance so that he may expose Claudius in a way that is true to the play, thus getting a reaction out of him.
‘some dozen sixteen lines which I would set down and insert in’t’
