Hamlet, Act II

I wonder how many spies actually lived in Denmark during the late middle ages. Because from Act II, it seems like everyone either was a spy, had a spy, or was being spied on! The act opens with Polonius giving Reynaldo money to spy on Laertes. After Reynaldo is sent off, Ophelia, frightened, tells her father about Hamlet’s strange behavior and appearance. Polonius mistakenly comes to the conclusion that Hamlet’s insanity was caused by Ophelia breaking up with him. He concludes that Hamlet must have truly loved Ophelia and decides to tell Claudius. Polonius remarks, “This is the very ecstasy of love, Whose violent property fordoes itself, And leads to desperate undertakings” (2.1.101-102). While it may seem that old Polonius just read the room wrong, this statement actually foreshadows much of the tragedy to come. The violent property of love will later be reflected in Ophelia’s death and Hamlet’s acts to avenge his father. Also, this quote reminded me of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet which similarly states, “These violent delights have violent ends”. I guess Shakespeare must have had a really crazy love life!

Once Polonius unites with Claudius and Gertrude, he begins a long and rambling explanation of Hamlet’s madness. He explains that his orders for Ophelia to reject Hamlet’s love has caused his insanity. Polonius formulates a plan to spy on a meeting between Hamlet and Ophelia with Claudius who agrees. At this point, I had to put my book down and sigh because how many more spies could we possibly have. It seems Hamlet himself has grown tired of all the spies when his casual and humorous conversation with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern turns suspicious as he suspects they have been sent to spy on him (2.2.254-292).

Hamlet begins plotting his revenge play, staged around the Murder of Gonzago, in an attempt to reveal his uncle’s guilt. When he is alone, Hamlet begins a soliloquy full of self-loathing as he wallows in despair. He reprimands his cowardice and inability to act on his revenge. Hamlet questions, “Am I a coward?”. This simple phrase summarizes the self-hatred and conflicting emotions that he is experiencing from his father’s death and the arrival of his apparition. The added pressures of vengeance and murder now weigh heavy on his conscience.