Monday, April 3 ~ Hamlet, Act 2

Welcome back Thespians! How did it go?

Discuss the rest of Act 1.

HW: Read Act 2.1 & begin J8

Journal 8: Act 2
2.1
1. Describe Polonius' character considering his speech style and his instructions to Reynaldo.
2. What do you make of Hamlet's behavior? How would you explain his actions at this point?

2.2
3. What reason for refusing Hamlet does Polonius say he gave to Ophelia? (2.2.150-151) Why do you think he gives Gertrude and Claudius a different reason than he gave Ophelia?
4. Is Hamlet's speech in 2.2.327-333 simply for the benefit of Rosencrantz and Guidenstern to overhear or is it sincere? If it is sincere, describe what he is expressing.
5. Hamlet's second soliloquy (2.2.576-634) is about a month after he has spoken with the ghost. Do you think his self criticism is accurate? Also, why do you think he doubts the ghost?

After reading Act 2
6. What do you think of Polonius as a father?
7. Do you think Hamlet is really going mad or is he just acting? Explain with at least three examples from the text.