Hamlet · Chapter
Scene II explained
King Claudius and Queen Gertrude welcome Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to Elsinore, enlisting them to spy on Hamlet and discover the cause of his apparent madness.
What happens
King Claudius and Queen Gertrude welcome Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to Elsinore, enlisting them to spy on Hamlet and discover the cause of his apparent madness. Polonius announces the return of the ambassadors from Norway, who report that Fortinbras has agreed to attack Poland instead of Denmark. Polonius then declares he has found the cause of Hamlet's madness—his love for Ophelia—and arranges for them to meet. Hamlet interacts with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, quickly discerning they were sent for, and discusses the arrival of the players. He commissions a play, 'The Murder of Gonzago,' and plans to insert a speech to test Claudius's guilt. In his soliloquy, Hamlet berates himself for his inaction and resolves to use the play to 'catch the conscience of the king.'
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Spying
Claudius and Gertrude enlist Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to spy on Hamlet, while Hamlet himself plans to use the play to deceive and expose Claudius.
Madness and Melancholy
Hamlet's feigned madness is discussed by the court, and his soliloquy reveals his deep melancholy and self-reproach.
Appearance vs. Reality
The court's perception of Hamlet's madness contrasts with his strategic use of antic disposition, and the play within the play is designed to reveal hidden truth.
Characters to notice
- King Claudius
Welcomes Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, expresses concern over Hamlet's transformation, and agrees to Polonius's plan to investigate Hamlet's madness.
- Queen Gertrude
Echoes Claudius's welcome to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and asks them to visit Hamlet.
- Rosencrantz
Arrives with Guildenstern at the king's summons, agrees to spy on Hamlet, and later informs Hamlet of the players' arrival.
- Guildenstern
Accompanies Rosencrantz, obeys the king and queen's command, and participates in the conversation with Hamlet.
- Polonius
Announces the return of the ambassadors, claims to have discovered the cause of Hamlet's madness (love for Ophelia), and arranges a meeting between them.
- Hamlet
Interacts with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, reveals his melancholy and distrust, discusses the players, and plans to use the play to test Claudius's guilt.
- Voltimand
Returns from Norway with Cornelius, reporting that Fortinbras has agreed to attack Poland instead of Denmark.
- Cornelius
Returns with Voltimand from the embassy to Norway.
Key passages
“I have of late—but wherefore I know not—lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercises; and indeed it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory.”
Lately, for reasons I don't understand, I've lost all joy and stopped exercising; my mood is so heavy that the beautiful earth looks like a barren wasteland to me.
Hamlet expresses his profound melancholy and disillusionment with the world to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
“The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king.”
The play is the device I'll use to make the king reveal his guilty conscience.
Hamlet concludes his soliloquy with the plan to use the performance to test Claudius's guilt.