ACT 2
Gertrude: "I doubt it is no other but the main:
His father's death and our o'erhasty marriage" (II, ii, 56-57)
- Gertrude appears to not know that Claudius murdered Hamlet's father from her statement
Polonius: "At such a time I'll loose my daughter to him" (II, ii, 16O).
- Instead of asking Hamlet what's really going on, Polonius decides to create a plan to spy on Ophelia when she's talking to Hamlet in order to find out his intention for his madness
- Again, it shows Polonius being manipulative. He appears to have good intentions but in reality he is using other's for his own benefit
- In reality, he just wants to be on the good side of the King and Queen (caring about his own reputation) so he has to appear helpful and concerned about Hamlet
Hamlet: [Aside] " Nay then, I have an eye of you: if you love
me hold not off" (II, ii, 29O-291).
- Hamlet realizes that his friends are being used as spies
- Hamlet reveals that he will not trust his friends until they tell him the truth
- Rosencrantz & Guilderstern's appearance failed to fool Hamlet and gave away Claudius' plan