What happened in Act 2 of Hamlet summary?

Act II. Polonius sends a spy, Reynaldo, to France to keep an eye on Laertes. Polonius, certain that Hamlet is madly in love with Ophelia and that it was Ophelia’s rejection that put him in this state, decides to meet the king to concoct a plan to spy on Hamlet in conversation with Ophelia.

What mental illness does Gertrude have Hamlet?

The first scene makes very clear that he has changed since the death of his father. The transformation in Hamlet is attested by Claudius, Ophelia (“what a noble mind is here o’erthrown”) and by Gertrude (“my too much changed son”). This is acute depressive illness, not chronic melancholy.

What is the story of Hamlet in short?

Hamlet Summary. The ghost of the King of Denmark tells his son Hamlet to avenge his murder by killing the new king, Hamlet’s uncle. Hamlet feigns madness, contemplates life and death, and seeks revenge. The play ends with a duel, during which the King, Queen, Hamlet’s opponent and Hamlet himself are all killed.

Who is spying on who in Hamlet Act 2?

Synopsis: Claudius and Gertrude set Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two boyhood friends of Hamlet, to spy on him.

Why do Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree to spy on Hamlet?

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are supposedly friends of Hamlet, yet they agree to ‘spy’ on him so to speak in an effort to provide information to the King and Queen. They are charged by the King to discover the cause of Hamlet’s transformation in personality.

Has Hamlet imitated his illness?

Despite the evidence that Hamlet actually is mad, we also see substantial evidence that he is just pretending. The most obvious evidence is that Hamlet himself says he is going to pretend to be mad, suggesting he is at least sane enough to be able to tell the difference between disordered and rational behavior.

Who is hamlet’s mother in the book Hamlet?

After assuming position as the new king, Claudius married Queen Gertrude, Prince Hamlet’s mother. The young prince is outraged by the actions of Claudius and vows revenge. Not long after the death of his father and marriage of his mother and uncle, the ghost of King Hamlet appears to the prince.

What was the synopsis of the play Hamlet?

A Synopsis of Hamlet. Hamlet is disgusted by the marriage of his newly widowed mother, Queen Gertrude, to his Uncle, King Hamlet’s brother, Claudius, who now has the throne. Shortly thereafter, a ghost has appeared to guards on nightly watch as well as Hamlet’s good friend, Horatio, who thinks the spirit has a likeness to the former King Hamlet.

Who are the characters in Hamlet Act 2 Scene 2?

Summary: Act II, scene ii Within the castle, Claudius and Gertrude welcome Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two of Hamlet’s friends from Wittenberg.

Why is hamlet in love with his daughter Ophelia?

Polonius’ daughter Ophelia is in love with Hamlet, but their relationship has broken down since Hamlet learned of his father’s death. Ophelia is instructed by Polonius and Laertes to spurn Hamlet’s advances. Ultimately, Ophelia commits suicide as a result of Hamlet’s confusing behavior toward her and the death of her father. A Play Within a Play