HAMLET ACT II SCENE 1 Mrs Bly

1. What’s the specific job Polonius gives to Reynaldo at the beginning of this scene? Is Polonius being a good dad when he assigns this task? Explain your answer.

LAERTES GOES TO FRANCE

ANSWER #1 Polonius wants Reynaldo to deliver money and letters to Laertes, who is now in France. He also, though, wants Reynaldo to spy on Laertes and see if he’s up to no good. Polonius is even fine if Reynaldo smears Laertes’ reputation Some will say that an involved parent should check up on his kids, but most students agree that Polonius takes his inquiry too far here.

2. Describe what Hamlet does when he enters Ophelia’s room 2. Describe what Hamlet does when he enters Ophelia’s room. Why, do you suppose, Hamlet chose Ophelia to be the first person to whom he reveals his new, strange behavior? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh_uPWa8N44

ANSWER #2 He grabs Ophelia by the wrist and stares at her face without speaking for a long time. He nods his head three times and sighs heavily. Then, he stalks out of her room staring at her as he goes. He doesn’t look to see if he’s going to run into any walls or the door; he just keeps staring at Ophelia as he leaves the room.

3. According to Polonius, what is the force that causes the most insanity/self-destruction in the world? Write the line that show you this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n3OepDn5GU

ANSWER #3 “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 heaven” (2.1.102-103)

4. What recent actions by Ophelia does Polonius believe have led to Hamlet’s insanity? What do Ophelia’s actions show us about her character?

ANSWER #4 Ophelia sent back love letters that Hamlet tried to have delivered to her She hasn’t made herself available to be wooed by him. Polonius believes this blocking of love has led to Hamlet’s insanity .This action shows us that Ophelia is a dutiful daughter; she has fully obeyed her father’s instructions without hesitation.

5. Why does Polonius want to tell King Claudius and Queen Gertrude about Hamlet’s odd behavior?

ANSWER #5 He figures that it’s better for them to know that Hamlet’s fallen for someone of a lower rank than to try to hide this development.