Act 2 Question Responses

Act 2 Scene 1

1.How does Polonius react to the news of Hamlet’s strange behavior?

Polonius thinks that Hamlet is acting weird because he is in love with Ophelia and commands her to stop seeing him.

2. What evidence of Hamlet’s affections for Ophelia exists?

The evidence that Hamlet sees Ophelia is the confession that she does about their relationship to her father

3. What trait of Polonius is revealed by his plans to spy on his son? What does it reveal about Laertes?

Polonius plans to spy on his son because he doesn't trust anyone and he also shows how Laertes has made lots of mistakes before with regards to Hamlet

Act 2 Scene 2

1.How is the problem of young Fortinbras solved? What concession has Norway made to quiet young Fortinbras?

Young Fortinbras's problem has been solved by sending him far away,  and preventing him from any type of political and social relationship.

2. What explanation does Polonius give for Hamlet’s apparent insanity? Why would the King prefer this explanation to be true?

Polonius justifies Hamlet's insanity by saying that he has not yet gone over his father's death.

3. Why has the King summoned Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

The King summons R and G to spy on Hamlet so that they can find the reason behind his insanity or a way to protect him

4. What plan does Polonius concoct to prove that Hamlet is mad for love of Ophelia?

Polonius plans to use all of his recent acquisitions as resources to catch Hamlet as soon as he tries to confess any love towards Ophelia

5. In Act I, Scene 5, Hamlet said, “It is an honest ghost.” Yet in this scene he says, “The spirit that I have seen may be the devil.” What has evidently happened as Hamlet has thought about the strange events?

Hamlet thinks about the bizarre characteristics of his experiences but is also conscious of the fact that the ghost does really impersonate his father.

6. Why does Hamlet want to hear the passage about Hecuba?

Hamlet wants to her the passage about Hecuba because thinks that it will bring valuable information about his mother's recent actions.