Hamlet Summary

Act II

As we find out later in the scene, apparently Hamlet has been following the plan he told Horatio about, putting on an 'antic disposition.'

The scene opens with Polonius sending Reynaldo to Wittenberg to give Laertes money. Although Reynaldo's quest at first appears straightforward, Polonius also gives Reynaldo the added duty of spying on Laertes. Because Polonius is concerned for his family name, he wants to find out all about Laertes' actions and goings-on.

Even though Reynaldo intended to make some discreet inquires into Laertes' actions, he is shocked when Polonius tells him to do whatever he can, short of dishonouring Laertes, to find out what Laertes is up to, including making up stories about incidents that didn't happen. Even though Reynaldo doesn't agree with Polonius' way of gathering information, he gives in to Polonius' request.

Ophelia enters as Reynaldo leaves and her father, seeing that she is distressed, asks her what is troubling her. Ophelia relates a strange encounter she has just had with Hamlet. He came to see her in complete disarray. His clothes were a mess and his appearance was pale and sickly. She goes on to say that Hamlet grabbed her hand and studied her at arms length. He didn't say anything, but after a perusal of her face he shook his head three times and gave out a wail that was piteous and profound. He then dropped her arm and, without taking his eyes off Ophelia, walked out of the room.

Polonius, thinking that Hamlet is still madly in love with Ophelia, believes his request for Ophelia to stop seeing Hamlet is the cause of his recent apparent madness. He tells Ophelia that they must report this incident to the King. They leave, after Polonius chastises himself for making what appears to be a wrong judgement regarding Hamlet's true feelings for Ophelia.

The action takes place two months after Hamlet has met with the ghost. The scene opens with Claudius and Gertrude talking to two of Hamlet's friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. It seems that Hamlet has been acting strangely for the past couple of months, and no one is able to find out why. Although Gertrude guesses it is because of the death of his father and her overhasty marriage, Claudius is not so sure this is the reason. Because Claudius and Gertrude are unable to find out the reason for Hamlet's madness they send for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with the hopes that they will be able to find out the truth. Both gentlemen agree to spy on Hamlet to find out the cause of his madness after Gertrude tells them they will gain the king's money, thanks and recognition.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave to find Hamlet. Polonius enters at the same time as the messengers sent to Norway return with news regarding Fortinbras. Polonius tells the King and Queen that he has found out the cause of Hamlet's madness, and will tell them after they hear the news from the messengers.

Voltimand and Cornelius enter and report to the king that they met with Fortinbras' uncle and have found a way to stop Fortinbras' plan to attack Denmark. The uncle, after finding out the true goal of Fortinbras' army, rebukes Fortinbras for his deeds and tells him to forget this plan. Fortinbras obeys his uncle's wishes and with his uncle's help decides to use his army to attack the "Pollacks." The king looks over a paper that has Fortinbras' plans for crossing safely through Denmark on his way to fight the Pollacks, and turns his attention to Polonius.

Polonius tells the King and Queen about his suspicion that Hamlet's madness is caused by Ophelia's rejecting Hamlet's affections. Although the queen believes Polonius' speech is too long-winded, and chastises him for his roundabout ways, he brushes her off and continues with his theories. As proof of his suspicions, he reads a letter Hamlet wrote to Ophelia that expresses his love and feelings for her. Seeing that the king and queen don't agree with his assumptions as whole heartedly as he does, Polonius tries to prove his theory by approaching Hamlet himself. He ushers the King and Queen out as Hamlet approaches.

Although Polonius tries his best to pin down Hamlet's thoughts, he fails. Hamlet not only manages to evade Polonius' questions, but he seizes the opportunity and slanders Polonius and his foolish, meddling ways, without Polonius' realization. Polonius leaves after realizing that there is a lot of meaning in Hamlet's ranting.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter and Hamlet greets them affectionately. Hamlet is pleasant and cheerful to them until he finds out that they are there to spy on him and report to the King the reason for Hamlet's madness. Although Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are hesitant to admit they were sent for, they cannot deny it further when Hamlet convinces them that he knows they were sent for.

The focus of the conversation changes to acting and the theatre when Rosencrantz informs Hamlet that players (entertainers) are on their way to the castle to perform a play for the King. They discuss the use of child actors in the theatre and Hamlet takes another opportunity to insult Polonius when he comes in to tell Hamlet about the players. When Hamlet makes a remark about a 'fair daughter' in a play, Polonius believes he is hinting at Ophelia. They are interrupted by the entrance of the players.

Hamlet greets the players warmly and asks the leader to recite a passage he once heard the player speak. Hamlet remembered the recital because the player spoke it in such an honest and passionate way. The player recites a passage concerning the death of Priam, during the Trojan war. After the speech, Hamlet asks Polonius to take excellent care of the players and to find them quarters. Hamlet talks with the First Player about inserting some lines that Hamlet will make up into the play they are presenting tomorrow. The player agrees to Hamlet's request and leaves. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave and Hamlet is alone on stage to give his second soliloquy.

Hamlet is angry with himself for procrastinating and failing to take revenge for his father's death. He is upset because he is unable to show the passion in real life that the player can show on stage. He can't believe that an actor can show anger and even cry for a fictitious event when he can't, despite all his reasons to show these emotions. He tries to incite his passion by stating events that would make him angry, but realizes all he is doing is talking about what he should do. Realizing that he isn't further helping himself with these speeches, he makes a plan that will give him the proof he needs to show Claudius' guilt in Hamlet's father's death.

Because there is still doubt about whether or not the ghost was Hamlet's father asking Hamlet to avenge his death, or an evil spirit trying to get Hamlet into trouble, Hamlet decides to get proof of Claudius' guilt before proceeding further. Hamlet believes he can obtain his proof by watching Claudius' reaction to a murder acted out by the players similar to that of Hamlet's father's murder.