Hamlet: Act 2 Scene 1 - Summary

Hamlet: Act 2 Scene 1 - Notes

Contextual Info:

• Hamlet Act 2 Scene 1 involves Polonius, Reynaldo, and Ophelia
• This scene occurs somewhere inside Elsinore Castle, presumably (but not confirmed) in Polonius’ quarters (although it could be taking place outside the castle as well)
• This scene introduces Polonius’ darker nature, as well as a behind-the-scenes plot advancement in the “Hamlet is crazy” department

Plot Summary:

• The scene opens with Polonius giving Reynaldo some money and letters to deliver to Laertes, who is now in France studying
• However, Polonius goes on to instruct Laertes to also check up on Laertes by spying - and he doesn’t just want Reynaldo to simply sit in some corner and spy on Laertes…
• Polonius wants Reynaldo to go so far as to question the locals, to ask what they think of Danish people overall in Paris - Polonius believes that more accurate information regarding Laertes might spill out this way
• It starts off sounding like a good plan - in order to spy on someone, blend in with the community of “watchers” and find what information can be gleaned from the “natural state” of the person being spied on, including their environment
• However, Polonius goes a bit further than this… Polonius actually tells Reynaldo to frame Laertes as a man of poor reputation in order to see what people say about Laertes
• This dialogue is important because it not only reaffirms Polonius’ ability to ramble on, but because it shows that there is some intelligence in those ramblings. Unfortunately, the intelligence is just slightly misplaced and overly backed by self-assurance and hubris
• Hilariously, Polonius loses his train of thought in the middle of his conversation
• Astonishingly, at the end of his lengthy lecture on “how to gain information through gossip,” Polonius basically says for Reynaldo not to trust gossip…(?!?!)
• His conversation with Ophelia is comparatively short and to-the-point, but it’s still off the point
• Polonius has fallen for Hamlet’s “crazy” act without even witnessing it, and sums up Hamlet’s reported behavior as love sickness/love madness
• This scene highlights Polonius’ hypocrisy in two ways - 1) He’s believing in gossip 2) He’s not trusting Laertes, even though he basically said “I trust you” when he saw off Laertes earlier