Hamlet · Chapter
Scene II explained
In a state room, King Claudius addresses the court about his recent marriage to Gertrude and dispatches ambassadors to Norway to curb Fortinbras's aggression.
What happens
In a state room, King Claudius addresses the court about his recent marriage to Gertrude and dispatches ambassadors to Norway to curb Fortinbras's aggression. He grants Laertes permission to return to France. Hamlet, still mourning his father, is urged to stay in Denmark. After the court exits, Hamlet delivers a soliloquy expressing his despair and disgust at his mother's hasty remarriage. Horatio, Marcellus, and Bernardo inform Hamlet of the ghostly apparition resembling his father, and Hamlet resolves to watch for it that night.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
Hamlet distinguishes between outward shows of grief and true inner feeling, while Claudius presents a facade of unity and mourning.
Madness and Melancholy
Hamlet's deep melancholy and despair are evident in his soliloquy, foreshadowing his later feigned madness.
Mortality and the Afterlife
Hamlet contemplates death and the afterlife, wishing his flesh would melt and considering self-slaughter.
Deception and Spying
The ghost's appearance and the watchmen's secret report introduce an atmosphere of hidden truths and surveillance.
Characters to notice
- Hamlet
Grieves deeply for his father and expresses disgust at his mother's remarriage; learns of the ghost and plans to watch for it.
- King Claudius
Delivers a speech justifying his marriage, dispatches ambassadors to Norway, and grants Laertes leave to return to France.
- Queen Gertrude
Urges Hamlet to cast off his mourning and accept the new marriage.
- Laertes
Requests and receives permission from the King to return to France.
- Polonius
Confirms Laertes's request to go to France, having given his reluctant consent.
- Horatio
Arrives from Wittenberg and tells Hamlet about the ghostly apparition.
- Marcellus
Accompanies Horatio and Bernardo to inform Hamlet of the ghost.
- Bernardo
One of the watchmen who witnessed the ghost and reports it to Hamlet.
Key passages
“O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!”
Hamlet wishes his body would dissolve into nothingness.
Expresses his profound despair and desire to escape his grief.
“Frailty, thy name is woman!”
Hamlet declares that women are inherently weak.
Reflects his bitterness toward his mother's quick remarriage.
“But I have that within which passeth show; These but the trappings and the suits of woe.”
Hamlet insists his true grief is internal and cannot be expressed by outward appearances.
Highlights the theme of appearance versus reality.
“My father's spirit in arms! all is not well; I doubt some foul play.”
Hamlet suspects that his father's ghost appearing in armor indicates something sinister.
Sets up the central mystery and Hamlet's quest for truth.
