‘He raised a sigh so piteous and profound/As it did seem to shatter all his bulk/And end his being’
Act 2, Scene 1
Ophelia
Plosive alliteration shwoing his performative distress of yearning for Ophelia
What does Ophelia say about Polonius denying her access to see Hamlet?
‘as you did command,/I did repel his fetters and denied/His access to me.’
Act 2 scene 1
Theme of authority
Ophelia as a possession
‘That hath made him mad’
Act 2, scene 1
Polonius
Talking about Hamlet’s tenacious motive for Ophelia
Foreshadows his hamartia
What does Polonius say in Act 2 scene 1 that introduces the theme of surveillance?
‘observe his inclination in yourself’
The fragility of trust within the state is so bad that you can’t even depend on family.
‘As if he had been loosèd out of hell
To speak of horrors—he comes before me.’
Act 2 scene 1
Ophelia describes Hamlet coming to her in the closet
‘speak of horrors’ showing her chastity is still in tact
What does Hamlet say at the end of act 1 scene 5?
‘O cursed spite that ever I was born to set it right’
-Interjection shows that he’s trying to convince himself that his destiny is to avenge his father.
-Rhyming
‘Make enquire on his behaviour’
-Polonius
-Act 2 scene 1
-Mirrors Claudius and Hamlet’s mistrusting rship
-Shows surveillance state
When does Ophelia reveal her suspicions about Hamlet’s madness?
-‘He took me by the wrist and held me hard’
-Act 2 scene 1
-Shows that Hamlets ‘antic dispossition’ has begun but he has not thought about the consequences of his love life.
What quote from Claudius shows the courts bias to sycophants?
-‘Dear Rosenchrantz and Guildenstern…we much did long to see you’
-The plural pronoun ‘we’ shows that Claudius is already dictating Denmark as hes speaking on behalf of it
-Flattery/epithetic seen in ‘dear’ shows the court favours sycophantic behaviour
‘Of Hamlet’s transformation… sith nor th’exterior nor the inward man’
-Act 2 scene 2
-Confirms Hamlet’s antic disposition is recognised by the court
-The euphemism is used to avoid upsetting Gertrude infront of courtiers
What does Guildenstern say to Gertrude to show their agreement to spy on Hamlet?
-‘But we both obey’/’To lay our service freely at your feet’
-Shows the lack of free will
-Semantic field of power
What does Claudius say about Hamlet’s transformation in act 2 scene 1?
‘Sith nor th’ exterior nor the inward man”
-euphemisitic to avoid upsetting gertrude
-saying he doesn’t resemble the man he once was
What does Claudius say about cheering Hamlet up in act2 scene 1?
‘To draw him pleasures and to gather so much as from occasion you may glean’
What does Guildenstern say to Claudius in act2 scene 1 to show his submission?
‘But we both obey’ and ‘To lay our service freely at your feet’
-Shows the puppeteered court and corruptness
Wht does Polonius think about Hamlet’s and Ophelias love?
‘Looked upon this love with idle sight’
-shows he’s not entirely happy with their relationship as he previously says Hamlet is above her station
What does Polonius say about Ophelia’s societal role?
‘Lord Hamlet is a prince out of thy star thus must not be’
-He’s demeaning ophelias importance
What quote shows that Ophelia is merely a possession to Polonius?
‘At such time I’ll loose my daughter to him’
What does Hamlet say to Polonius to belittle him?
‘You are a fishmonger’
-Shows Hamlet’s hamartia of being too cocky
What does Hamlet say about Ophelia’s potential unborn child?
‘Conception is a blessing but as your daughter may conceive, friend - look to’t’
-the only child she has will not be a blessing
