Hamlet Act 2

Multiple Choice

What does Polonius's plan to spy on Laertes reveal about his character?

• He is trusting and open-minded

• He is untrusting and devious

• He is indifferent and careless

• He is supportive and encouraging

Multiple Choice

What is the main reason Polonius asks Reynaldo to spy on Laertes?

• To find out if Laertes has problems with drinking, gambling, and women

• To protect Laertes from danger

• To help Laertes make new friends

• To report Laertes's activities to the king

Multiple Select

Which of the following actions contribute to Ophelia's distress after Hamlet's visit?

• Hamlet enters her room uninvited

• Hamlet's shirt is unbuttoned and stockings are around his ankles

• Hamlet speaks kindly to Ophelia

• Hamlet looks as if he had been loosed out of hell

Multiple Choice

How does Polonius’s reaction to Ophelia’s account of Hamlet contrast with Hamlet’s character and actions?

• A) Polonius is indifferent to Ophelia’s feelings, focusing solely on Hamlet’s behavior to gather information for his own gain.

• B) Polonius immediately dismisses Ophelia's concerns and encourages her to confront Hamlet directly, showing a lack of understanding of their relationship.

• C) Polonius embraces the drama of the situation and devises a plan to inform Claudius, highlighting his eagerness to manipulate events, unlike Hamlet's hesitance.

• D) Polonius expresses deep concern for Ophelia's emotional state and advises her to avoid further contact with Hamlet.

Multiple Choice

What does the passage in image 3 suggest about the difference between appearance and reality in Hamlet's behavior?

• It is clear that Hamlet is pretending to be mad

• It is ambiguous whether Hamlet's madness is real or for show

• Hamlet is definitely not mad

• Ophelia knows the truth about Hamlet

Multiple Choice

What does the relationship between Claudius, Gertrude, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern reveal about the nature of friendship in this passage from Hamlet?

• A) True friendship is characterized by loyalty and selflessness, as demonstrated by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern's actions.

• B) Friendship can be transactional and manipulative, as Claudius uses Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet.

• C) Gertrude's kindness towards Rosencrantz and Guildenstern indicates genuine concern for Hamlet's well-being.

• D) The passage highlights that loyalty among friends is paramount, regardless of the circumstances.

Multiple Choice

What does Fortinbras's determination, as described in the report to Claudius, reveal about his character in this passage?

• A) Fortinbras is a passive leader who avoids confrontation and prefers negotiation.

• B) Fortinbras is a reckless leader who acts without considering the consequences of his actions.

• C) Fortinbras is a pragmatic leader who adapts to obstacles and seeks new opportunities for his ambitions.

• D) Fortinbras is a loyal ally to Denmark, focused solely on maintaining peace.

Multiple Choice

What does Polonius's plan to observe Hamlet and Ophelia's interaction reveal about his understanding of relationships and power dynamics?

• A) Polonius believes that genuine connections can be formed through honest communication and trust.

• B) Polonius recognizes that manipulating circumstances to create tension can strengthen alliances and secure his position.

• C) Polonius is unaware of the consequences of his actions and believes he is acting in Hamlet's best interest.

• D) Polonius values his daughter's autonomy and wants to protect her from potential harm in her relationship with Hamlet.

Multiple Choice

What does Hamlet's interaction with Polonius reveal about his attitude towards authority and manipulation?

• A) Hamlet respects Polonius and values his advice on matters of love.

• B) Hamlet is indifferent to Polonius's authority, using wit to undermine his position and assert his own intelligence.

• C) Hamlet seeks to build a rapport with Polonius in hopes of gaining favor with the royal family.

• D) Hamlet is unaware of the implications of his words and speaks without considering their impact.

Multiple Choice

In what ways does Hamlet use wordplay and wit to assert his intellectual superiority over Polonius?

• A) Hamlet directly praises Polonius for his wisdom, indicating his respect for the older man's experience.

• B) Hamlet engages Polonius in a straightforward discussion about literature without any wit, showing a lack of confidence.

• C) Hamlet employs sarcasm and clever remarks about aging, suggesting that Polonius's physical decline contrasts with his own youthfulness.

• D) Hamlet uses simple language to make his points, making it easy for Polonius to understand and undermining his own intelligence.

Multiple Choice

What does Hamlet's response to Polonius's questions about life and death suggest about his state of mind?

• He is indifferent to life and possibly yearns for death

• He is hopeful about the future

• He is afraid of dying

• He wants to reconcile with Polonius

Multiple Choice

What does Hamlet mean when he refers to Denmark as a "prison"?

• He feels trapped and restricted by his circumstances.

• He is literally imprisoned in Denmark.

• He wants to escape from Denmark physically.

• He believes Denmark is a dangerous place.

Multiple Choice

Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that he has "lost all [his] mirth" and fallen into a depression. According to the analysis, what is the underlying truth in Hamlet's statement?

• He is exaggerating for effect, but he truly is grieving his father's death.

• He is pretending to be sad to manipulate his friends.

• He is angry at Rosencrantz and Guildenstern for betraying him.

• He is happy but wants to appear miserable.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following themes is deepened by the arrival of the troupe of actors at Elsinore?

• Appearance versus reality

• Revenge and justice

• Love and betrayal

• Fate and destiny

Multiple Choice

What does Hamlet's comparison between child actors and Claudius suggest about his views on legitimacy and merit?

• A) Hamlet believes that both child actors and Claudius represent a decline in quality and authenticity, undermining traditional values.

• B) Hamlet admires child actors for their talent and wishes Claudius would emulate their popularity.

• C) Hamlet thinks that child actors are deserving of their success, while Claudius's rise to power is justified and natural.

• D) Hamlet sees no connection between the two, viewing child actors purely as a distraction from the political situation in Elsinore.

Multiple Choice

What advantage does Hamlet have in his interactions with Polonius and others, according to the analysis?

• He is physically stronger than them

• He is royalty and skilled at wordplay

• He is older and wiser

• He is more popular among the people

​Summary
Polonius enters and greets Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet introduces Polonius to his friends as a “great baby” still in “swaddling-clouts.” Polonius tells Hamlet that the actors have arrived. Hamlet mocks everything Polonius says as Polonius formally introduces the troupe as “the best actors in the world,” capable of handling any kind of material. Hamlet continues teasing Polonius and engaging him in obscure wordplay until the players make their way into the hall. When Polonius comes in, Hamlet mocks him openly, making fun of the fact that Polonius is coming in to tell him something he already knows: that the actors have arrived. When Polonius says he has news, Hamlet says, "So do I," and then begins to relate a bit of news so old it's about Roman times. Of course, Polonius's news isn't that old, but still, Hamlet's having fun at his expense and it goes right over Polonius's head. In fact, Polonius doesn't understand anything Hamlet says until Hamlet starts calling him Jephthah, judge of Israel. Jephthah is a character from Judges 11, of the King James Bible, who inadvertently offers up his only child, a virgin girl, as human sacrifice in exchange for winning a battle. And when Polonius picks up on that, he again thinks that Hamlet is still obsessing over Ophelia. Hamlet sure knows how to push Polonius's buttons.
Analysis
Hamlet knows that because he is royalty, he can, for the most part, say and do what he wants with impunity—plus, he has the added advantage of being naturally good with wordplay, able to quickly outwit those around him.

Multiple Select

Which of the following are reasons Hamlet is able to put on a believable front for other people, as described in the analysis?

• He is skilled at remembering and delivering long pieces of text

• He is ambitious as an actor

• He is the king of Denmark

• He is able to appear other than as he is

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of Hamlet referring to Polonius as "Jephthah" in their interaction?

• A) It highlights Polonius's wisdom and capability as a counselor to the king.

• B) It serves as an allusion to a biblical figure known for making a rash vow, emphasizing Polonius's foolishness and the tragic consequences of his actions.

• C) It suggests that Polonius is a heroic character, akin to Jephthah, who sacrifices for the greater good.

• D) It implies that Polonius is a strong warrior, reflecting the theme of honor in battle.

Multiple Choice

What is the significance of the monologue recited by the First Player in Hamlet's plan, as discussed in the analysis?

• It entertains the court

• It mirrors the events in Elsinore and inspires Hamlet's plot against Claudius

• It reveals Hamlet's love for acting

• It embarrasses Polonius

Multiple Choice

How does Hamlet's self-reflection in his monologue illustrate his internal conflict about avenging his father's death?

• A) Hamlet expresses confidence in his ability to take action, believing that he will avenge his father's murder when the time is right.

• B) Hamlet blames external factors for his inaction, claiming that he would take revenge if not for the circumstances around him.

• C) Hamlet shows indifference to his father's murder, focusing instead on his own personal struggles and ambitions.

• D) Hamlet's frustration with himself reveals his awareness of his cowardice and inability to act, contrasting his emotional turmoil with the decisive actions of others.

Open Ended

Explain how Hamlet's plan to use the play to 'catch the conscience of the king' allows him to delay taking direct action against Claudius.

Open Ended

How do you think Polonius’s actions in Scene 1 reflect his character and relationship with his son?