Hamlet Act II - key scenes Flashcards
Does Gertrude appear concerned when asking Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to investigate the cause of “Hamlet’s transformation”?
Yes she seems genuinely concerned. She says
“And I beseech you instantly to visit
My too much changed son”
What does Gertrude say in Act II, scene ii that shows she is certainty not naive to the reasons of Hamlet’s upset?
“I doubt it is no other but the main:
His father’s death, and our o’erhasty marriage”
What does Hamlet say when confronting Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about their sudden visit?
“What make you at Elsinore?”
“Is it a free visitation?”
When speaking with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern for the first time in the play, what does he say when voicing his disgust with life? (i have of late…..)
“I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercise. And indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory”
After hearing the news of the players’ arrival at Elsinore in Act II, scene ii, Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, in code, that he is in fact, not mad, but simply pretending. How does he voice this? (quote)
“My uncle-father and aunt mother are deceived”
“I am but mad north-north-west: when the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw”
What change do we see in Hamlet upon the arrival of the players?
He becomes more sociable, and he is clearly passionately interested in the theatre
What is the contrast between Pyrrhus (from the player’s speech) and Hamlet? What is Hamlet’s response to this?
In contrast to the inactive Hamlet, Pyrrhus bloodily executes vengeance on the killer of his father. HAmlet is frustrated by his lack of emotion and drive.
What does Hamlet want before killing Claudius?
The deeply reflective side of his personality needs concrete proof of Claudius’s guilt before he acts
“I’ll have grounds
More relative than this”
Why does Hamlet feel he needs to prove Claudius’s guilt? Why can’t he take the Ghost for his word?
“The spirit that I have seen
May be the devil”
Hamlet decides to stage a play (quote) and observe Claudius’s response (quote)
He decides to stage a play:
“Something like the murder of my father
Before mine uncle”
And observe Claudius’s response
“The play’s the thing
Wherin I’ll catch the conscience of the king”
