For Act II, please select two questions, and respond to them in a post of at least 150 words each. You will need to respond to two of your peers. Peer responses need not be 150 words.
33 Comments
Nora Skinner
12/15/2015 08:19:09 am
Act 2 Scene 1
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Sarah
12/15/2015 06:16:57 pm
I believe that Polonius is as you say he is, plus he's just as nosy as can be. Maybe it's because I'd rather Laertes not be at fault, but I think Polonius schemes to entrap Laertes exhibit that he hasn't yet showed any large flaw.
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Lauren Collins
12/15/2015 06:50:55 pm
I definitely agree that Polonius is a deceitful man. I had my suspicions about him from the previous act, but Act 2 Scene 1 confirms my beliefs. He wants to spy on his son through trickery and control Ophelia from her heart's whim. He does not seem to be the most honest person around, but rather a person with hidden intentions.
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Kaitlyn Denny
12/15/2015 07:31:03 pm
I was confused at first as to why Polonius would want Reynaldo to soil his sons name. I feel like this will end up doing more damage than good. Why could he not simply have one become his son's friend? I also feel like the plan the King created was not well thoughtout. The fact that the army will be passing through Denmark foreshadows trouble.
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Jenny Glidewell
12/15/2015 08:23:41 pm
I agree that Polonius is a deceitful person. He should trust his son to behave the way he has raised him to. He should not need to spy on him. I do not understand why Polonius is so concerned that Laertes would be behaving badly. Laertes did not seem like a party boy to me. I think Polonius is just being nosy and paranoid.
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Kristen Denny
12/16/2015 05:40:13 am
Yes this reveals that Polonius is too nosey for his own good. He went to the extent of bringing Reynolds to talk down on his own son in France. In this way he isn't considering his own son''s feelings or what he wants while he is away.
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Hannah Ross
12/16/2015 06:02:18 am
Do you think that Laertes is actually a party boy, or a reckless child for that matter? Judging by what we have seen of him so far, I don't think he is. I think that Laertes is just a young man who wants to be away from his father and Polonius mistakes that for inappropriate behavior.
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Destiny Mabe
12/16/2015 06:57:46 am
This is what I thought as well,but you put it a lot better than I did. Would it be safe to say that if Fortinbra goes through Denmark that something would be started.
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Alyssa Hagerman
12/23/2015 09:53:31 pm
It does appear that Polonius is going to stir up a lot of trouble through his inquiries. Even if he finds that Laertes isn't in France just for his studies, what could he do to stop his rebellious ways? Also, how would it affect Polonius if Laertes was rebelling? None of these questions give any reason for Polonius to be involved in any way.
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Kaitlyn Denny
12/15/2015 05:46:30 pm
Act 2 Scene 1
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Sarah
12/15/2015 06:40:21 pm
Scene 1
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Lauren Collins
12/15/2015 06:58:59 pm
I agree that the dramatic effect of Hamlet's antic disposition was quite humorous. We as the audience know that he is acting it out, but Ophelia does not, so it makes some dramatic irony that is funny. I also think that he may be doing this to Ophelia because he may trust her the most and therefore is comfortable to try his insanity act with her.
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Nora Skinner
12/15/2015 08:02:37 pm
I agree that the diagnosis Polonius offers is great for the King! If Hamlet is mad with passion, then Claudius doesn't have to worry about it being a bigger problem. He has no idea what Hamlet is plotting, so he lives is blissful ignorance just thinking that Hamlet is just a dumb, love sick boy.
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Kristen Denny
12/16/2015 05:47:01 am
This is in fact true. Hamlet is scheming against Claudius and plans to hit his conscience to get him to reveal that he murdered King Hamlet. He is going to use the actors to do this I just wonder if Claudius will actually break and reveal his secret or be oblivious to what is happening since he believes that Hamlet is just mad over being in love with Ophelia.
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Lauren Collins
12/15/2015 06:42:05 pm
Act 2, Scene 1 – Note the description of Hamlet’s behavior. What is the dramatic value of having Hamlet tell us he may “put on an antic disposition” and doing so come close together?
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Sarah
12/15/2015 07:02:19 pm
-You are correct...while we know his antic disposition to be an act, currently; the character's don't, so they in-turn overreact to his exaggerated act.
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Kaitlyn Denny
12/15/2015 07:28:13 pm
It'seems dramatic irony! I did not consider that to be part of his disposition, but I get that it must be. He is clearly crazed in this scene. I agree with your second response as well. I did not consider the King possibly wondering if Hamlet knew of the murder. I think this is a good inference though and I can see how one could come to this conclusion.
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Nora Skinner
12/15/2015 07:54:50 pm
You are right! It is dramatic irony. We, the audience, know that Hamlet is only acting crazy, but the other characters do not know that. Now I am interested to see if by the end of the play Hamlet truly does go mad.
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Jenny Glidewell
12/15/2015 08:19:34 pm
I believe that the King most likely wanted Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to come to Elsinore, not for Hamlet's benefit, but because he wanted to see if Hamlet knew that he murdered his father. Claudius is selfish and I believe he only acts like he is acting out of Hamlet's best interest to keep up appearances and appease the Queen.
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Elizabeth
12/16/2015 06:28:04 am
I couldn't help but wonder after seeing Hamlet's actions towards Ophelia if his actions are driven in part by true motives and he isn't acting in a way that creates his insane facade. Ophelia is the only woman he thinks he can trust, and he might be seeking some sort of comfort in the girl he loves. Lonely and grieving, Hamlet's actions may be based on his need for affection and support.
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Kristen Denny
12/15/2015 06:43:18 pm
How does Polonius react to the news of Hamlet’s strange behavior?
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Jenny Glidewell
12/15/2015 08:05:52 pm
Act II Scene 2- How is the problem of young Fortinbras solved? What concession has Norway made to quiet young Fortinbras?
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Alyssa Hagerman
12/15/2015 08:49:35 pm
Act II, Scene I: What trait of Polonius is revealed by his plans to spy on his son? What does it reveal about Laertes?
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Hannah Ross
12/16/2015 06:04:25 am
I agree with your thoughts on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. They are probably the most suited ones to spy on Hamlet, since he trusts them, or he did, and they have known him for many years. However, Hamlet has already figured them out, so they are not useful as spies any longer.
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Elizabeth
12/16/2015 06:23:32 am
I also think that Polonius's nosiness is due in part to the possibly that Laertes isn't the most well behaved boy and Polonius really does need someone to keep an eye on him. However, I never got the feeling that Laertes was a bad son as he gave good advice to Ophelia and seemed like a good brother. Appearances can be deceiving though, as we've obviously seen.
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Destiny Mabe
12/16/2015 06:49:59 am
I thought the king was worried about Hamlet because he fears that hamlet knows something and he invited his friends there to find out if he did or did not know something. I do not really think the king is worried about Hamlet's return to a stable mind.
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Nicole Rogers
12/22/2015 08:01:39 pm
You bring up a good point I had not thought about. Although Claudius probably does not care about Hamlet's well-being, he wants Hamlet to remain in a "more balanced state." So Claudius not only wants the information on Hamlet for his own good, but he wants Hamlet to be calm for his own good.
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Hannah Ross
12/16/2015 05:58:49 am
Scene 1
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Elizabeth
12/16/2015 06:20:19 am
Act II, Scene I
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Destiny Mabe
12/16/2015 06:40:34 am
Act 2 Scene 1 What trait of Polonius is revealed by his plans to spy on his son? What does it reveal about Laertes?
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Alyssa Hagerman
12/16/2015 07:23:52 am
Act 2, Scene 2:
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Nicole Rogers
12/22/2015 07:59:20 pm
I agree, and I think this is not the only action that shows Polonius's want for control. Many events have thus far have showed Polonius's controlling, yet sly nature. He is controlling his son's life without his son ever knowing it because he sends spies, he does not go himself. Similarly, we see in Act 1 that Polonius is the real one in control of the thrown, not Claudius as Claudius asks Polonius's thoughts on a trite matter before making a decision.
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Nicole Rogers
12/22/2015 07:55:18 pm
Act II Scene I
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