Hamlet Act II Blog

1. Based on what he does during Act II, how would you characterize Polonius?
I would say that he is not a very worthy character because he uses other people for alterior motives and he is really not willing to help anyone else out.

2. During his conversations with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Act II Sc ii, Hamlet describes his perceptions of reality? In your own words, describe Hamlet's worldview? Are you an optimist, pessimist, or a realist? Why?
I would say that he is a pessimist because he thinks of the world as a prison. I would say that I am a realist because I don't really think of the world as a good or bad place, I just think of it as a place.
3. Is Polonius justified in how he plans to use Ophelia to find more about Hamlet?
I would say that this is an unfair way to do this because Hamlet does not know who is around during his actions

4. At this point in the play, do you think Hamlet is really crazy or his he pretending to be insane? How does Hamlet act differently when he's around people and when he's giving soliloquies by himself i.e. end of Act II?
I think that he is pretending to be insane because he is so frustrated with every thing that is happening in his world right now. He is more calm when he is giving soliloquies.

5. Why do you think Hamlet's so attracted to the theater/acting? Why do you think he uses the play as a way to test his theory? Is Hamlet right be angry at himself for not acting on the ghost's words? Why?
He likes it because he can use it as an alternate reality to the world. He uses the play as a test because he thinks there is very low risk to it. I think that he is right for not acting on the ghosts words because he said that he believed in the words and apparently he doesn't now.

6. Are Rosencrantz and Guildenstern wrong for spying on Hamlet? Why or why not? How do you think Hamlet feels after they admit they were sent for by the Queen and King?
I would not say they are wrong because they are being forced by the King and Queen to do it. I think he feels worried after they tell him that they were sent.