1. A Few Weeks Later Act2 Scene1
Monday 26th September 2016
QFL: Can I explore how deception is presented in Act 2 Scene 1 and 2?
Act2 Scene1
A Few Weeks Later
Polonius sends someone to spy on his son, Laertes
Ophelia reports Hamlet’s strange appearance
The first part of the scene develops Polonius’ character and the second part furthers the Hamlet and Ophelia subplot

2. Act 2 Scene 1 :
Polonius - Olivia
Reynaldo - Amel
Ophelia - Sammara
Polonius
Shakespeare lightens the tone by making Polonius appear ludicrous. Full of his own importance and intoxicated words , he has the tendency to lose the thread of “what was I about to say?/by the mass I was about to say something.”
Activity:
Polonius can be interpreted as either a blundering fool or a cunning manipulator.
Find evidence for both:

3. Hamlet begins to appear mad
“As if he had been loosed
out of hell”
What do we learn from Ophelia about Hamlet’s appearance? (83-90)

4. Key Info Hamlet knows Ophelia will tell her father what she has seen .
Feminist critics comment that Ophelia seems to have no scope for following her own wishes. Others, contrasting her with Juliet, accuse her of a complete lack of spirit.

5. Hamlet Plans to Prove Claudius’ Guilt
You should have completed this for homework, and should therefore be very familiar with Act 2 Scene 2 and how the theme of deception is clearly prominent.
We are going to use these five sections as the basis for an essay.
Deception is widespread
Real Madness Vs Fake Madness
Using Act 2 Scene 2 as a starting point, analyse the importance of deception in Hamlet
Deception
Humour in Hamlet’s Madness
Players have an important role
Hamlet curses his lack of action

6. Using Act 2 Scene 2 as a starting point, analyse the importance of deception in Hamlet
As a table, you have been allocated a ‘section’ to look at.
Using the notes I have provided, produce an analysis on the sugar paper showing how your section contributes to the theme of deception.