2.2 Notes

Polonius sent Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to try and find out some news on Hamlet. Without even asking, but he does anyways, Hamlet can tell that they are there to spy on him. (THEME OF SPYING)

Norway had no idea on what Fortinbras had done to their country. (CORRUPTION)

Polonius reads aloud a letter supposedly written by Hamlet to Ophelia, that states his status and mood towards her. (THEME OF SPYING)

Themes: Spying, Corruption, Prostitution, Humanity, Death

Hamlet paces back and forth in a 200 yard long hall for 4 hours, thinking, as well as getting his exercise.

To be an honest man is 1 in a 1,000.

• Denmark is a prison / World is one (Motif: Prostitution)
  
• Fortune - uses men
  
• Polonius - Pimp - Sells his family for political power
• Rosencrantz and Guildenstern - Sells children memories / loyalty for royal service

Spying (Ties with Corruption and Revenge)

• King and Queen spying on Hamlet with Polonius and with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
• Polonius spying on Laertes and Hamlet (also watching Ophelia)
• Hamlet - Spying on everyone by acting mad

GARDEN:

• Hamlet - Son of sunlight or the worm
• Old King Hamlet - Sun God
• Claudius - Serpent
• Ophelia - Flower
• Polonius/Rosencrantz/Guildenstern - Weeds?

Dreams: dreams are but a shadow. Heroes and Kings are but the shadow of the lower class.


Hamlet and Polonius talk face to face. Hamlet calls him a fishmonger, and insults him in other ways as well.