Hamlet Hamlet by William Shakespeareby William Shakespeare

Act IIAct II

Hamlet – Act IIHamlet – Act II

Scene One:Scene One:Polonius sends a servant to spy on his Polonius sends a servant to spy on his

son.son.Ophelia tells Polonius that Hamlet is Ophelia tells Polonius that Hamlet is

behaving strangely.behaving strangely.Polonius assumes that he is mad because he Polonius assumes that he is mad because he

cannot have Ophelia.cannot have Ophelia.Polonius admits that he misjudged Polonius admits that he misjudged

Hamlet’s intentions.Hamlet’s intentions.

Hamlet – Act IIHamlet – Act II

Scene two:Scene two:Claudius and Gertrude have sent Hamlet’s Claudius and Gertrude have sent Hamlet’s

friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, to spy on Hamlet.spy on Hamlet.

Polonius arrives and after conducting some Polonius arrives and after conducting some business, tells Claudius and Gertrude that business, tells Claudius and Gertrude that Hamlet has gone mad because Polonius Hamlet has gone mad because Polonius forbade Ophelia to see Hamlet.forbade Ophelia to see Hamlet.

Polonius tells Claudius that they should set Polonius tells Claudius that they should set Hamlet up by having Ophelia run into him.Hamlet up by having Ophelia run into him.

Hamlet – Act IIHamlet – Act II

Scene two continued:Scene two continued:Once set up, Hamlet arrives, engrossed Once set up, Hamlet arrives, engrossed

in a book.in a book.Polonius sends Claudius and Gertrude Polonius sends Claudius and Gertrude

away, so that he can speak to Hamletaway, so that he can speak to HamletPolonius is convinced, by Hamlet’s Polonius is convinced, by Hamlet’s

encrypted answers, that Hamlet has gone encrypted answers, that Hamlet has gone mad (crazy).mad (crazy).

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appear, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern appear, and Hamlet quickly ascertains that they and Hamlet quickly ascertains that they are spies for Claudius.are spies for Claudius.

Hamlet – Act IIHamlet – Act II

Scene two continued:Scene two continued: Hamlet tells them that he is wise to their plan, Hamlet tells them that he is wise to their plan,

and they admit guilt.and they admit guilt. Hamlet tells them how depressed and Hamlet tells them how depressed and

disappointed he is.disappointed he is. A group of actors appear, and Hamlet A group of actors appear, and Hamlet

welcomes them, telling them about a scene he welcomes them, telling them about a scene he once saw them perform.once saw them perform.

He asks the players to perform “The Murder of He asks the players to perform “The Murder of Gonzago” (which he renames “The Gonzago” (which he renames “The Mousetrap”).Mousetrap”).

Hamlet – Act IIHamlet – Act II

Scene two continued:Scene two continued:The play is scheduled for the following The play is scheduled for the following

night, and Hamlet adds that he will write a night, and Hamlet adds that he will write a few lines to be performed within the play.few lines to be performed within the play.

In a soliloquy, Hamlet chides himself for In a soliloquy, Hamlet chides himself for not avenging his father’s murder more not avenging his father’s murder more quickly.quickly.

He decides that he will test Claudius’s He decides that he will test Claudius’s guilt by his reaction to the murder scene, guilt by his reaction to the murder scene, and then he will take action.and then he will take action.