Gruber 1

Rachel GruberHamlet Act II Response

The most significant element of Act II in William Shakespeares Hamlet would be the
unfolding of Prince Hamlets so-called madness.
Ever since he has learned the truth behind his fathers death, Hamlet has not been sure of
his sanity. Knowing that his uncle/stepfather was the one who murdered his father, Hamlet, as
well as the reader, does not know what to think about Hamlets recent behavior. At the end of
Scene I in Act II, Ophelia reports back to her father, Polonius, saying, He took me by the wrist
and held me hard;/He falls to such perusal of my face/ As he would draw it.And, with his
head over his shoulder turnd,/He seemd to find his way without his eyes (Hamlet.II.i.52).
Ophelia had every right to be frightened of Hamlet, what with him grabbing her arm a little too
tightly, not letting go, and staring at her for several minutes straight, would make anyone
question Hamlets state of mind.
In Scene II, King Claudius and Queen Gertrude request the assistance of Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern, Hamlets old friends, to essentially spy on him since they are also concerned about
their son and his behavior. The King says, Something have you heard/ Of Hamlets
transformation; so call it,/ Sith nor the exterior nor the inward man/ Resembles that it was
(Hamlet.II.ii.54). King Claudius has said that Hamlet has not been acting like his normal self,
and both him and the Queen wish to know what is really going on. After Hamlet discovers that
his friends were sent to retrieve answers about why he is depressed, Hamlet states, What a piece
of work is a man!...no, nor woman either (Hamlet.II.ii.68). Hamlet is purely disgusted with
mankind, saying how we are never satisfied and always want more. However, is Hamlet putting
on a faade to his family, or is he truly depressed and on the brink of insanity?
Comment [C1]: Start a new sentence and add
This before would make.
Comment [C2]: Change to he