questions act 2

1) What is does Polonius tell Reynaldo in the opening of Act II? How does he plan to trap his son?
To give LAertes some money. To catch him gaming, fencing, drinking, swearing, quarreling, or drabbing.

2) What does this say about Polonius?
He likes to keep track of what his children are doing. He shelters his kids.

3) What particularly in Act II scene 1 has disturbed Ophelia?
Hamlet's appearance frightens Ophelia because he seems to be deranged.


4) Why have Rosencrantez and Guildenstern been sent to Denmark?
To spy on Hamlet for the king.

5) What does Hamlet ask the players to recite? How does the allusion mimic Hamlet’s position?
Aeneas tale to Dido. The story is about avengance for Priam who has been slaughtered. This speech is being told to remind him about what he has to do.


Identify the following speaker of the following lines and discuss to whom the lines are being delivered, and what do the lines mean?

6) “No, my lord, but as you did command/ I did repel his letter, and denied his access to me”
Ophelia to Polonius. Ophelia denying Hamlet any affection towards her.


7) “More matter less art”
Gertrude to Polonius. Gertrude tells Polonius to hurry up and finish talking about how Hamlet might be insane.


8) “That I, the son of a dear father murdered,/ Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell/ Must like a whore unpack my heart with words,
Hamlet. No one.


9) “Your bait of falsehood take this carp of truth/ And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,/ with windlasses and with assays of bias,/ By directions find directions out.”
Polonius to Renaldo.

10) “For if the sun breeds maggots in a dead dog, being a good kissing carrion-Have you a daughter?”
Hamlet to Polonius. Hamlet asking if Polonius has a daughter.


11) List three metaphors (1 direct, 1 implied, 1 extended) from the play.
Most of the other characters in the play don't know that Hamlet is crazy.

12) What proof does Polonius have that he believe indicates Hamlet’s love for Ophelia?
His crazed acts toward Ophelia.

13) Explain the quote, “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” How does this relate to Hamlet.
He's only crazy because he thinks he's crazy.

14) What is a fishmonger?
A "pimp".

15) Who was Jephthah?
A judge of Israel that sacrifices his daughter for political power.