Text of Book
Act 2, page 1
Act 2, page 2
Questions
| 1) | What is this act mainly about? |
| 2) | Why does Polonius ask Reynaldo to spread unflattering rumors about Laertes? |
| 3) | What is strange about Hamlet's appearance when Ophelia describes him? |
| 4) | What does Polonius immediately decide is at the root of Hamlet's behavior? |
| 5) | Why does Claudius choose Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to keep an eye on Hamlet? |
| 6) | Where was Fortinbras originally preparing to attack? |
| 7) | Why do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern believe Hamlet sees Denmark as a prison? |
| 8) | Why are the players becoming less popular in the city? |
| 9) | Which biblical judge does Hamlet compare Polonius to? |
| 10) | What is the topic of the speech Hamlet, and then the first player, performs? |
| 11) | What does Hamlet feel the first player has that he himself lacks? |
| 12) | What kind of play does Hamlet decide to have the players perform? |
| 14) | What does Claudius mean in the quote below?
"Moreover that we much did long to see you, |
| 15) | What does Polonius mean in the quote below?
"How pregnant sometimes his replies are! a happiness that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of." |
| 17) | What does Hamlet mean in the quote below?
"Use every man after his desert, and who should scape whipping? Use them after your own honour and dignity." |
| 18) | Look where Polonius says "And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, / With windlasses and with assays of bias, / By indirections find directions out."
What does "bias" mean in this context? |
| 19) | Look where Hamlet's love letter reads "O dear Ophelia, I am ill at these numbers; I have not art to reckon my groans."
What does "reckon" mean in this context? |
| 20) | Look where Hamlet calls the players "the abstract and brief chronicles of the time."
What does "abstract" mean in this context? |
| 21) | Were there any events that weren't clear to you? |