HAMLET ACT TWO

SCENE ONE ACT TWO

#1. Polonius needs Reynaldo to do…something #1. Polonius needs Reynaldo to do…something. In typical fashion, Polonius fails to get to his point very quickly. What is it exactly that he wants Reynaldo to do for him? More importantly, why? Be specific in your response.

So Confusing…[page 73] Polonius: Before you visit [Laertes], make inquire of his behavior. Poor Reynaldo: My lord, I did intend it. Polonius: Marry, well said, very well said. Look you, sire, / Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris; / And how, and who, what means, and where they keep…. Polonius: Before you visit [Laertes], ask questions about his behavior. Poor Reynaldo: That’s what I was going to do. Polonius: Good answer! On my behalf, ask around about what Danes are in Paris and then ask one million questions about them.

He’s Still Talking…[page 73] Polonius: …What company, at what expense; and finding / By this encompassment and drift of question / That they do know my son, come you more nearer / Than your particular demands will touch it. Take you, as ‘twere, some distant knowledge of him, / As thus: “I know his father and his friends / And, in part, him.” Polonius: In this roundabout, circular way of asking questions, you will eventually find out that they do know my son and then you’re one step closer to the real reason I’m sending you along. Then you can pretend you have some vague notion of who he is.

He’s Still Talking…[page 73] Polonius: Do you mark this, Reynaldo? Poor Reynaldo: Ay, very well, my lord. Polonius: “And, in part, him, but” you may say, “not well. But if ‘t be he I mean, he’s very wild, / Addicted and so and so.” Polonius: Are you listening? Do you understand what I’m telling you? Poor Reynaldo: Would you stop talking already? Here, Polonius is pretending to be Reynaldo in Paris. He’s telling Reynaldo what words to say. He is also repeating himself at times.

He’s Still Talking…[page 73] Polonius: Do you mark this, Reynaldo? Poor Reynaldo: Ay, very well, my lord. Polonius: “And, in part, him, but” you may say, “not well. But if ‘t be he I mean, he’s very wild, / Addicted and so and so.” Polonius: Are you listening? Do you understand what I’m telling you? Poor Reynaldo: Would you stop talking already? Polonius: You can say: “I don’t know him well, but if it’s who I’m thinking of, then he’s wild and probably addicted to something.”

He’s Still Talking…[page 75] Polonius: And there put on him / What forgeries you please—marry, none so rank / As may dishonor him, take heed of that But, sir, such wanton, wild, and usual slips / As are companions noted and most known / To youth and liberty. Polonius: And once you have their attention, start making up terrible lies about Laertes, but be careful not to say anything that’s too bad and would cause him to lose his honor. But definitely mention all of the terrible things that young people are likely to do without supervision.

He’s Still Talking…[page 75] Reynaldo: As gaming, my lord. Polonius: Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, Quarreling, drabbing—you may go so far. Reynaldo: My lord, that would dishonor him. Reynaldo: Such as gambling? Polonius: Yes, but you can also mention that he drinks, swears, fights, and you can even say he deals with prostitutes. Reynaldo: You idiot, if you care about his honor then I shouldn’t say that!

He’s Still Talking…[page 75] Polonius: Faith, no, as you may season it in the charge, / You must not put another scandal on him / That he is open to incontinency; / That’s not my meaning But breathe his faults so quaintly / That they may seem the taints of liberty, / The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind… Polonius: Oh, no, that’s not what I meant! You can make it seem less bad when you say it. It would be a scandal if people thought he frequently went to prostitutes. Instead, you should speak of his faults cunningly so that they appear to be due to the fact that he is young and reckless like most young people.

He’s Still Talking…[page 75] Reynaldo: But, my good lord— Polonius: Wherefore should you do this? Reynaldo: Ay, my lord, I would know that. Polonius: Marry, sir, here’s my drift, / And I believe it is a fetch of wit. Reynaldo: But— Polonius: But you’re wondering why you should do all of this? Reynaldo: Yes, I’m super confused. Polonius: Okay, here’s the point I’m trying to get at. And it’s pretty smart on my part if I do say so myself.

He’s Still Talking…[page 75] Polonius: You, laying these slight sullies on my son, / As ‘twere a thing a little soiled I’ th’ working, / Mark you, your party in converse, him you would sound, / Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes / The youth you breathe of guilty, be assured / He closes with you in this consequence: / “Good sir,” or so, or “friend,” or “gentleman,”/ According to the phrase or the addition / Of man and country— Polonius: So after you’ve said all of these bad things about my son, the person you’re talking to might have seen those crimes I’ve just mentioned. Make sure the person addresses you in a friendly manner as is the usual way for the country—

He’s Still Talking…[page 77] Reynaldo: Very good, my lord. Polonius: And then, sir, does he this, he does—what was I about to say? …He closes thus: “I know the gentleman, / I saw him yesterday,” or “th’ other day” (Or then, or then, with such or such), and as you say, / There was he gaming… Reynaldo thinks (or hopes) that Polonius has finished because he has paused. Polonius: I’ve lost my train of thought. Now, Polonius is pretending to be the person Reynaldo will apparently be speaking to. This person, Polonius thinks, will say, “Oh, I know Laertes, I saw him doing terrible things.”

He’s Still Talking…[page 77] Polonius: By indirections find directions out. / So by my former lecture advice / Shall you my son. You have me, have you not? Reynaldo: My lord, I have. Polonius: Observe his inclination in yourself. Polonius: So using my confusing tactics, you’ll find out the truth about my son. You understand, don’t you? Reynaldo: Yes, I understand. Polonius: Make sure you find out this information yourself and not from some other reports.

#1. Polonius needs Reynaldo to do…something #1. Polonius needs Reynaldo to do…something. In typical fashion, Polonius fails to get to his point very quickly. What is it exactly that he wants Reynaldo to do for him? More importantly, why? Be specific in your response.

Polonius’ Request In other words, Polonius wants Reynaldo to pretend he knows Laertes because of the terrible things that Laertes has supposedly done (like gambling, drinking, and fighting). Polonius hopes that a stranger will be able to confirm that Laertes does, in fact, participate in these types of things. Polonius is trying to spy on his son in possibly the most complicated, convoluted way possible.

More Important Questions Hamlet says “The play’s the thing / Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the King” at the end of Act 2. What is his plan? Which theme(s) does it help develop? How? You’re on your own. I’m tired. P.S. Don’t worry about other questions for Act Two. Move on to the other PowerPoint.