Hamlet 2.2 Discussion: Hamlet's Wordplay

Why does the young man try to provoke Polonius?

• To gain Polonius's trust

• To pay him back for forbidding Ophelia from seeing him

• To make Polonius laugh

• To show his love for Ophelia

What does Polonius believe is the cause of Hamlet's madness?

• His ambition for the throne

• His unrequited love for Ophelia

• His hatred for Polonius

• His fear of ghosts

How does Hamlet respond when asked what he is reading?

• He changes the subject

• He describes the plot of the book

• He says he is reading words on a page

• He refuses to answer

What does Hamlet imply when he asks about the 'dispute'?

• He is genuinely curious about a debate

• He is mocking Polonius's question

• He wants to start an argument

• He is confused by the question

What does the repetition of 'words, words, words' suggest about Hamlet?

• He is aware of his role as an actor

• He is bored with reading

• He is angry with Polonius

• He is trying to memorize the text