8/28/16 Act 2 of Hamlet

Summarize what happened in Act 2 (both scenes) What have we now learned about Polonius' character? How do we feel about him? What about Ophelia? What new characters or isses have been raised? How is Hamlet's character developing? Act 2 Scene 1 begins with Polonius sending Reynaldo off to France to monitor Laertes and report back to him on his son's behavior while he is away from home. From this interaction, we learn that Polonius enjoys knowing what is going on at all times, and is a bit of a "helicopter parent", as we would say today. However, Polonius also instructs Reynaldo to suggest and propagate rumors about his son to see if the public accepts or rejects the rumors. This highlights that Polonius has a manipulative side, and makes me wonder to what extent he is truly looking out for his son (and later Hamlet), or if he has malicious intent.  Following Reynaldo's exit, Ophelia enters and tells her father of her strange encounter with Hamlet, in which we learn that Hamlet is acting mad. Ophelia seems extremely affected by what occurred, which leads me to believe her character could be either gullible, or extremely sensitive. This is how women of the era were seen and portrayed, so I feel this could make sense. Polonius declares that Hamlet must be madly in love with Ophelia, and immediately runs off to the King and Queen to share his idea with them. This reinforces the idea that Polonius likes to meddle in the affairs of others. Act 2 Scene 2 opens with the King and Queen welcoming Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, some school friends of Hamlet's. We learn that the King and Queen aim to use his friends to dig some information out of Hamlet as to why he is acting strangely. I wonder if this was because the King in some way suspects that Hamlet will betray him.  Polonius shares his ideas with the King, and then suggests that they spy on Hamlet to see if his madness stems from his feelings for Ophelia. The King concedes to attempting the plan, and Polonius is content. Polonius then goes to speak to Hamlet, who insults him repeatedly.  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern speak to Hamlet, who sees right through their intentions. They admit to spying on him, and he tells them that he is acting strangely because he is greatly saddened. His friends believe that the acting troupe will make him feel better. Hamlet is impressed by the troupe, and asks if they can perform a certain play, that Hamlet will amend with extra lines. He is going to see if a play about someone killing his brother for the throne will garner a reaction from the King, to create evidence that the King killed Hamlet's father.  Later, when Hamlet is alone, he is sad and frustrated because he is not as good of an actor as anyone from the troupe, even when he is going through a very real situation. His soliloquy is self-deprecating, and he finally resolves to his idea of testing the King with the play. We see a different, more stressed side of Hamlet through his soliloquy, and we can see the toll that his plan for revenge is taking on him.