Hamlet 2.2

1. Scene 2.2 is an incredibly long scene with a great deal of action and information for the audience. At the beginning of the scene the King meets with his two new spies Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who are friends of Hamlets from school. They are to find out what is wrong with Hamlet and what is causing his extreme grief. The ambassadors then enter with news that Fortinbras' uncle has yelled at Fortinbras for preparing to attack and has sent him to attack the "polack" instead. The king gives Fortinbras permission to cross there land to Poland. Polonius then enters and states that he has found the reason Hamlet is so upset. He says that Hamlet is so madly in love with Ophelia that he is acting strangely. He reads a letter from Hamlet to Ophelia out loud to the King and Queen. Hamlet also meets with Polonius a few times in this scene, where he acts mad and mocks Polonius, although Polonius does not realize that Hamlet is making fun of him. Hamlet then meets with the spies and figures them out with haste. He is informed by them that actors have arrived and this excites Hamlet greatly. He goes to them, treating them like royalty, and even puts on a bit of acting himself before the leader of the troop acts a scene out for him. Hamlet asks the actors to do a play called the Murder of Gonzago and even add in his own lines. They agree to do it and then Hamlet begins his second soliloquy.

2. This scene develops Hamlet greatly through his dialog and soliloquy, showing how he is torn between the "golden times" and the new age of reason. Most importantly, Hamlet lays out a plan to discovering if his Uncle is truly guilty, and if so he will act.

3. Hamlet- Why have you waited so long to act and kill your Uncle. Hamlet- why do you mock Polonius, out of fun or to prove a point? King- are you sending the spies because you think Hamlet may know about the murder you committed? Hamlet- Why do you switch back and forth between faith and reason? Queen- do you really not know that your new husband killed your old one?