1. Hamlet
Act 1, Scene 2

2. Act 1, scene 2
King Claudius and Queen Gertrude enter a state room in the castle, along with Polonius, the Lord Chamberlain; Polonius’s son Laertes; Hamlet, Gertrude’s son and Claudius’s nephew; and various members of the royal council.
Claudius states he’s married Gertrude, the widow of his brother King Hamlet and his former sister-in-law- points out he obtained approval of his court for this marriage (otherwise would be considered incestuous by canon law)

3. Act 1, scene 2
Turning to state affairs, Claudius speaks of young Fortinbras, who demands the return of lands lost by his father to King Hamlet- reports that he’s having Cornelius and Voltemand deliver a letter to Fortinbras’s uncle, the bedridden king of Norway, asking the king’s help in restraining young Fortinbras.

4. Act 1, scene 2
Laertes requests to return to France, where he lived prior to returning to Denmark for the coronation ceremonies. After determining that Polonius has given permission, Claudius agrees.
Claudius next addresses Hamlet, gently chastising him for still grieving over his father’s death. Gertrude entreats her son to cease mourning; Claudius points out that such excessive grief is impious and unmanly.

5. Act 1, scene 2
Gertrude and Claudius urge Hamlet to remain in Elsinore rather than to return to school in Wittenberg- Hamlet agrees, Claudius announces a celebration, and all but Hamlet exit.
Hamlet gives a soliloquy- reveals his private despair, noting that his distress stems not only from his father’s death but also from his mother’s hasty marriage to her brother-in-law. He condemns his mother and all women for moral weakness and inconstancy.

6. Act 1, scene 2
Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo enter- after commenting briefly on his mother’s remarriage, Hamlet begins to talk about his father, whereupon Horatio brings up the subject of the Ghost. Hamlet excitedly questions Horatio about the apparition and concludes that it might be his father’s ghost or perhaps an evil spirit assuming his father’s appearance.

7. Act 1, scene 2
Swearing the three to secrecy, Hamlet declares that he will join the guards on their watch that night in an attempt to speak to the Ghost. After Horatio and the guards leave, Hamlet expresses his fear that the Ghost is a sign that “All is not well”. He suspects that his father’s ghost may have retuned to earth to reveal a crime.