Hamlet - Act 2

Hamlet - Act 2

1. Key Quotes

   • "Though this be madness, yet there is method in't" - Polonius, Act 2, Scene II
   • "What a piece of work in man! How noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form, in moving, how express and admirable! in action, how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a god! the beauty of the world! tpahe ragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?" - Hamlet, Act 2, Scene II
   • "Brevity is the soul of wit" - Polonius, Act 2, Scene II
   • "That hath made him mad" - Polonius, Act 2, Scene I
   • "Come, go we to the king: This must be known; which being kept close, might move More grief to hide than hate to utter love" - Polonius, Act 2, Scene I
   • I doubt it is no other but the main; His father's death, and our o'erhasty marriage" - Gertrude, Act 2, Scene II
   • "If circumstances lead me, I will find Where truth is hid, though it were hid indeed Within the centre" - Polonius, Act 2, Scene II
   • "Why then, 'tis none to you; for there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so: to me it is a prison" - Hamlet, Act 2, Scene II
   • "lost all my mirth" - Hamlet, Act 2, Scene II
   • "What would he do Had he the motive and the cue for passion that I have?" - Hamlet Act 2, Scene II
   • "Bloody, bawdy villian! Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villian! O! vengeance!" - Hamlet, Act 2, Scene II
   • "I'll have grounds More relative than this" - Hamlet, Act 2, Scene II
   • "ecstasy of love" - Polonius, Act 2, Scene II

2. Themes

   • Revenge
     • Hamlet's idea on how to take revenge
     • Image of Pyrrhus - symbolises remorseless and cruel avenger. Parallel to Hamlet
   • Deception
     • Hamlet acting mad
     • Claudius sends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet
   • Appearance VS Reality
     • Polonius thinks Hamlet is mad with love for Ophelia
     • Hamlet plans to trick the king
   • Women
     • Hamlet sees women as weak
   • Politics
     • State of Denmark is deteriorating, Hamlet is acting mad and a new king
   • Madness
     • Hamlet pretends to act mad

3. Language

   • Asides
     • Polonius tells audience his thoughts while speaking to Hamlet
   • Soliloquy
     • Hamlet's soliloquy informs audience on inner conflict
   • Imagery
     • Polonius uses clothing image in instructions to Reynaldo

4. Setting

   • Polonius' House
   • Castle
   • Elsinore, Denmark

5. Dramatic irony

   • Hamlet pretending to be mad