Hamlet, Act II, Scene 1

Hamlet
Act II, Scene 1

[previous scene] [Hamlet page] [next scene]

You can listen to some
music as you read.
Click on the icon above.
(You can also shut if off,
if you find it annoying.)

Shakespeare
for Scholars: Shakespeare
for Everyone Else:

A room in POLONIUS' house.
Enter POLONIUS and REYNALDO

LORD POLONIUS

The act begins in a room at Polonius’ house. You remember Polonius, don’t you? He is a sort of an advisor to King Claudius. He is also the father of both Laertes and Ophelia.

Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo.

REYNALDO
I will, my lord.

LORD POLONIUS

Polonius is giving some money and some letters to a messenger by the name of Reynoldo. Polonius wants Reynoldo to deliver this stuff to his son at college. Apparently Laertes, like all good college students, has run out of money, and now dear old dad has to bail his son out.

You shall do marvellous wisely, good Reynaldo,
Before you visit him, to make inquire
Of his behavior.

REYNALDO
My lord, I did intend it.

LORD POLONIUS
Marry, well said; very well said. Look you, sir,

Polonius gives some rather peculiar instructions to Reynoldo, though. He wants Reynldo to "inquire" about his son's behavior. Polonius tells Reynoldo to spy on his son.

Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris;
And how, and who, what means, and where they keep,
What company, at what expense; and finding
By this encompassment and drift of question
That they do know my son, come you more nearer
Than your particular demands will touch it:
Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him;
Polonius tells Reynoldo that he should try to find some "Danskers" in France. A "Dansker" is a Danish person.
Polonius gives some very detailed instructions to Reynoldo, to help him in his investigation.

As thus, 'I know his father and his friends,
And in part him:' do you mark this, Reynaldo?

REYNALDO
Ay, very well, my lord.

LORD POLONIUS

Next Reynoldo is to mention the fact that he just happens to know Laertes.

'And in part him; but' you may say 'not well:
But, if't be he I mean, he's very wild ;
Addicted so and so:' and there put on him
What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank
As may dishonour him; take heed of that;
But, sir, such wanton, wild and usual slips
As are companions noted and most known
To youth and liberty.

REYNALDO

Polonius tells Reynoldo that he should mention the fact that he knows Laertes, and that Laertes can be a bit of a wild young man. He tells him to mention such things as "addicted," and similar sins.

As gaming, my lord.

LORD POLONIUS

"Gaming," of course, means "gambling." This used to be a sin, before state governments in the United States decided they could make money from lotteries.

Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling,
Drabbing: you may go so far .

REYNALDO

Polonius mentions a few other sins: "drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling," and even one called "drabbing."
Your textbook will probably say that drabbing means "consorting with loose women." Nonsense. It means whoring, plain and simple.

My lord, that would dishonor him.

LORD POLONIUS
'Faith, no; as you may season it in the charge

Reynoldo is worried that even saying this might ruin Laertes' reputation, if people believe it. He thinks Laertes might be "dishonored."

You must not put another scandal on him,
That he is open to incontinency;
"You must not put another scandal upon him..." Hmmmm... Polonius does not tell us what the first scandal was.

That's not my meaning: but breathe his faults so quaintly
That they may seem the taints of liberty ,
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind,
A savageness in unreclaimed blood,
Of general assault.

REYNALDO
But, my good lord,--

LORD POLONIUS
Wherefore should you do this?

REYNALDO

Polonius wants Reynoldo to mention the faults of Laertes, but "quaintly," or in a gentle way, so Laertes is not ruined for life. In other words, dishonor the guy. But only dishonor him a little bit.

Aye, my lord,
I would know that.

LORD POLONIUS
Marry, sir, here's my drift;
And I believe, it is a fetch of wit:

Reynoldo admits that he would like to know why he is supposed to speak badly of Laertes.

You laying these slight sullies on my son,
As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' the working, Mark you,
Your party in converse, him you would sound,
Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes
The youth you breathe of guilty, be assured
He closes with you in this consequence;
'Good sir,' or so, or ' friend ,' or 'gentleman,'
According to the phrase or the addition
Of man and country .

REYNALDO
Very good, my lord.

LORD POLONIUS

Polonius explains that if the "sullies" or sins that Reynoldo mentions are worse than the truth, then people are sure to defend Laertes, and correct the accusations.

And then, sir, does he this--he does--what was I
about to say? By the mass, I was about to say
something: where did I leave?

REYNALDO
At 'closes in the consequence,' at 'friend or so,'
and 'gentleman.'

LORD POLONIUS
At 'closes in the consequence,' aye, marry;
He closes thus: 'I know the gentleman;
I saw him yesterday, or t' other day,
Or then, or then; with such, or such; and, as you say,

At this point, Polonius suddenly becomes confused. That's okay, Polonius. You should see the audience.

There was a' gaming; there o'ertook in's rouse;
There falling out at tennis:' or perchance,
'I saw him enter such a house of sale,'
Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth.
See you now;
Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth:
And thus do we of wisdom and of reach,
With windlasses and with assays of bias,
By indirections find directions out:
So by my former lecture and advice,
Shall you my son. You have me, have you not?

REYNALDO
My lord, I have.

LORD POLONIUS
God be wi' you; fare you well.

REYNALDO
Good my lord!

LORD POLONIUS
Observe his inclination in yourself.

REYNALDO
I shall, my lord.

LORD POLONIUS
And let him ply his music.

REYNALDO
Well, my lord.

LORD POLONIUS
Farewell!

Again, Polonius suggest some of the sins that Reynoldo might use. He mentions "gaming," he menions "tennis," and he mentions going into a brothel, or a house of prostitution.

Shocking, isn't it. Gambling. Prostitution. And, tennis. Three of the biggest sins of all time.

Exit REYNALDO Reynoldo leaves to go and do as he was asked.

Enter OPHELIA

How now, Ophelia! what's the matter?

OPHELIA
As he leaves, Ophelia enters.
Immediately, Polonius notices that she seems upset.

O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted!

LORD POLONIUS
With what, i' the name of God?

OPHELIA

She says that she is “so affrighted,” (line 84), and she explains why.

My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,
She says that she was sewing in her closet. She does not explain why.

Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced;
No hat upon his head; his stockings foul'd,
Suddenly young Hamlet walked in. Ophelia says that his doublet was "unbraced." A "doublet" is like a shirt. "Unbraced" means that it was "unbuckled." She describes Hamlet's very unusual appearance.

Ungarter'd, and down-gyved to his ankle;
Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other;
Hamlet's tights were pulled way down, and twisted, down to his ankle. Even worse, they were dirty. Imagine the "grunge" look, on one who needs a bath.

And with a look so piteous in purport
As if he had been loosed out of hell
To speak of horrors, -- he comes before me.

LORD POLONIUS

Ophelia says that Hamlet had a look on his face which was "piteous," or pitiful.

Mad for thy love?

OPHELIA
My lord, I do not know;
But truly, I do fear it.

Polonius immediately suspects that Hamlet was after sex: “Mad for thy love?” (line 94). Polonius has a one-track mind, it seems. You know how fathers are.

LORD POLONIUS
What said he?

OPHELIA

Ophelia describes Hamlet’s unusual behavior which followed.

He took me by the wrist and held me hard;
Then goes he to the length of all his arm;
And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow,
He falls to such perusal of my face
As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so;
At last, a little shaking of mine arm
And thrice his head thus waving up and down,
He raised a sigh so piteous and profound
As it did seem to shatter all his bulk
And end his being: that done, he lets me go:
Apparently, Hamlet grabbed her by the arm, and stared closely into her face, for a really long time. This "perusal" of her face lasted so long, she says, that he might have been drawing it. Then, he nodded at her three times.

And, with his head over his shoulder turn 'd,
He seem'd to find his way without his eyes;
For out o' doors he went without their helps,
And, to the last, bended their light on me.

LORD POLONIUS

Then, Hamlet slowly, deliberately, backed out of the room, staring at her all of the time as he left. This little “display” has frightened the poor girl.

Come, go with me: I will go seek the king.
This is the very ecstasy of love,
Whose violent property fordoes itself
And leads the will to desperate undertakings
As oft as any passion under heaven
That does afflict our natures. I am sorry.
Polonius decides that they should tell King Claudius immediately, and he calls it “the very ecstasy of love.”

Polonius tells Ophelia that he is taking her to see King Claudius at once.

What, have you given him any hard words of late?

OPHELIA

First, though, he asks his daughter if she has said anything harsh to Hamlet lately (line 118).

No, my good lord, but, as you did command,
I did repel his letters and denied
His access to me.

LORD POLONIUS

Ophelia answers that she has not, but that she did “repel his letters, and denied his access to me” (lines 120-121). Apparently, she sent all of his mail back, “return to sender — address unknown.”

That hath made him mad.
I am sorry that with better heed and judgment
I had not quoted him: I fear'd he did but trifle,
And meant to wreck thee; but, beshrew my jealousy!
By heaven, it is as proper to our age
To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions
As it is common for the younger sort
Polonius decides that this must be what has made Hamlet so angry. Polonius knows the price of a good postage stamp, and he is worried that Hamlet might do something even more rash.

To lack discretion. Come, go we to the king:
This must be known; which, being kept close, might
move
More grief to hide than hate to utter love.
Polonius escorts Ophelia out, as they go to tell King Claudius all about this.

Exeunt
As the stage is left empty, the scene ends...

The summaries provided
herein are protected by copyright.

Do not reproduce without
permission of the author.

	You can listen to some music as you read. Click on the icon above. (You can also shut if off, if you find it annoying.)

Shakespeare for Scholars:	Shakespeare for Everyone Else:
*A room in POLONIUS' house.* Enter POLONIUS and REYNALDO LORD POLONIUS	The act begins in a room at Polonius’ house. You remember Polonius, don’t you? He is a sort of an advisor to King Claudius. He is also the father of both Laertes and Ophelia.
Give him this money and these notes, Reynaldo. REYNALDO I will, my lord. LORD POLONIUS	Polonius is giving some money and some letters to a messenger by the name of Reynoldo. Polonius wants Reynoldo to deliver this stuff to his son at college. Apparently Laertes, like all good college students, has run out of money, and now dear old dad has to bail his son out.
You shall do marvellous wisely, good Reynaldo, Before you visit him, to make inquire Of his behavior. REYNALDO My lord, I did intend it. LORD POLONIUS Marry, well said; very well said. Look you, sir,	Polonius gives some rather peculiar instructions to Reynoldo, though. He wants Reynldo to "inquire" about his son's behavior. Polonius tells Reynoldo to spy on his son.
Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris; And how, and who, what means, and where they keep, What company, at what expense; and finding By this encompassment and drift of question That they do know my son, come you more nearer Than your particular demands will touch it: Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him;	Polonius tells Reynoldo that he should try to find some "Danskers" in France. A "Dansker" is a Danish person. Polonius gives some very detailed instructions to Reynoldo, to help him in his investigation.
As thus, 'I know his father and his friends, And in part him:' do you mark this, Reynaldo? REYNALDO Ay, very well, my lord. LORD POLONIUS	Next Reynoldo is to mention the fact that he just happens to know Laertes.
'And in part him; but' you may say 'not well: But, if't be he I mean, he's very wild ; Addicted so and so:' and there put on him What forgeries you please; marry, none so rank As may dishonour him; take heed of that; But, sir, such wanton, wild and usual slips As are companions noted and most known To youth and liberty. REYNALDO	Polonius tells Reynoldo that he should mention the fact that he knows Laertes, and that Laertes can be a bit of a wild young man. He tells him to mention such things as "addicted," and similar sins.
As gaming, my lord. LORD POLONIUS	"Gaming," of course, means "gambling." This used to be a sin, before state governments in the United States decided they could make money from lotteries.
Ay, or drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling, Drabbing: you may go so far . REYNALDO	Polonius mentions a few other sins: "drinking, fencing, swearing, quarrelling," and even one called "drabbing." Your textbook will probably say that drabbing means "consorting with loose women." Nonsense. It means whoring, plain and simple.
My lord, that would dishonor him. LORD POLONIUS 'Faith, no; as you may season it in the charge	Reynoldo is worried that even saying this might ruin Laertes' reputation, if people believe it. He thinks Laertes might be "dishonored."
You must not put another scandal on him, That he is open to incontinency;	"You must not put another scandal upon him..." Hmmmm... Polonius does not tell us what the first scandal was.
That's not my meaning: but breathe his faults so quaintly That they may seem the taints of liberty , The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind, A savageness in unreclaimed blood, Of general assault. REYNALDO But, my good lord,-- LORD POLONIUS Wherefore should you do this? REYNALDO	Polonius wants Reynoldo to mention the faults of Laertes, but "quaintly," or in a gentle way, so Laertes is not ruined for life. In other words, dishonor the guy. But only dishonor him a little bit.
Aye, my lord, I would know that. LORD POLONIUS Marry, sir, here's my drift; And I believe, it is a fetch of wit:	Reynoldo admits that he would like to know why he is supposed to speak badly of Laertes.
You laying these slight sullies on my son, As 'twere a thing a little soil'd i' the working, Mark you, Your party in converse, him you would sound, Having ever seen in the prenominate crimes The youth you breathe of guilty, be assured He closes with you in this consequence; 'Good sir,' or so, or ' friend ,' or 'gentleman,' According to the phrase or the addition Of man and country . REYNALDO Very good, my lord. LORD POLONIUS	Polonius explains that if the "sullies" or sins that Reynoldo mentions are worse than the truth, then people are sure to defend Laertes, and correct the accusations.
And then, sir, does he this--he does--what was I about to say? By the mass, I was about to say something: where did I leave? REYNALDO At 'closes in the consequence,' at 'friend or so,' and 'gentleman.' LORD POLONIUS At 'closes in the consequence,' aye, marry; He closes thus: 'I know the gentleman; I saw him yesterday, or t' other day, Or then, or then; with such, or such; and, as you say,	At this point, Polonius suddenly becomes confused. That's okay, Polonius. You should see the audience.
There was a' gaming; there o'ertook in's rouse; There falling out at tennis:' or perchance, 'I saw him enter such a house of sale,' Videlicet, a brothel, or so forth. See you now; Your bait of falsehood takes this carp of truth: And thus do we of wisdom and of reach, With windlasses and with assays of bias, By indirections find directions out: So by my former lecture and advice, Shall you my son. You have me, have you not? REYNALDO My lord, I have. LORD POLONIUS God be wi' you; fare you well. REYNALDO Good my lord! LORD POLONIUS Observe his inclination in yourself. REYNALDO I shall, my lord. LORD POLONIUS And let him ply his music. REYNALDO Well, my lord. LORD POLONIUS Farewell!	Again, Polonius suggest some of the sins that Reynoldo might use. He mentions "gaming," he menions "tennis," and he mentions going into a brothel, or a house of prostitution. Shocking, isn't it. Gambling. Prostitution. And, tennis. Three of the biggest sins of all time.
Exit REYNALDO	Reynoldo leaves to go and do as he was asked.
Enter OPHELIA How now, Ophelia! what's the matter? OPHELIA	As he leaves, Ophelia enters. Immediately, Polonius notices that she seems upset.
O, my lord, my lord, I have been so affrighted! LORD POLONIUS With what, i' the name of God? OPHELIA	She says that she is “so affrighted,” (line 84), and she explains why.
My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,	She says that she was sewing in her closet. She does not explain why.
Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced; No hat upon his head; his stockings foul'd,	Suddenly young Hamlet walked in. Ophelia says that his doublet was "unbraced." A "doublet" is like a shirt. "Unbraced" means that it was "unbuckled." She describes Hamlet's very unusual appearance.
Ungarter'd, and down-gyved to his ankle; Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other;	Hamlet's tights were pulled way down, and twisted, down to his ankle. Even worse, they were dirty. Imagine the "grunge" look, on one who needs a bath.
And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosed out of hell To speak of horrors, -- he comes before me. LORD POLONIUS	Ophelia says that Hamlet had a look on his face which was "piteous," or pitiful.
Mad for thy love? OPHELIA My lord, I do not know; But truly, I do fear it.	Polonius immediately suspects that Hamlet was after sex: “Mad for thy love?” (line 94). Polonius has a one-track mind, it seems. You know how fathers are.
LORD POLONIUS What said he? OPHELIA	Ophelia describes Hamlet’s unusual behavior which followed.
He took me by the wrist and held me hard; Then goes he to the length of all his arm; And, with his other hand thus o'er his brow, He falls to such perusal of my face As he would draw it. Long stay'd he so; At last, a little shaking of mine arm And thrice his head thus waving up and down, He raised a sigh so piteous and profound As it did seem to shatter all his bulk And end his being: that done, he lets me go:	Apparently, Hamlet grabbed her by the arm, and stared closely into her face, for a really long time. This "perusal" of her face lasted so long, she says, that he might have been drawing it. Then, he nodded at her three times.
And, with his head over his shoulder turn 'd, He seem'd to find his way without his eyes; For out o' doors he went without their helps, And, to the last, bended their light on me. LORD POLONIUS	Then, Hamlet slowly, deliberately, backed out of the room, staring at her all of the time as he left. This little “display” has frightened the poor girl.

Come, go with me: I will go seek the king. This is the very ecstasy of love, Whose violent property fordoes itself And leads the will to desperate undertakings As oft as any passion under heaven That does afflict our natures. I am sorry.	Polonius decides that they should tell King Claudius immediately, and he calls it “the very ecstasy of love.” Polonius tells Ophelia that he is taking her to see King Claudius at once.
What, have you given him any hard words of late? OPHELIA	First, though, he asks his daughter if she has said anything harsh to Hamlet lately (line 118).
No, my good lord, but, as you did command, I did repel his letters and denied His access to me. LORD POLONIUS	Ophelia answers that she has not, but that she did “repel his letters, and denied his access to me” (lines 120-121). Apparently, she sent all of his mail back, “return to sender — address unknown.”
That hath made him mad. I am sorry that with better heed and judgment I had not quoted him: I fear'd he did but trifle, And meant to wreck thee; but, beshrew my jealousy! By heaven, it is as proper to our age To cast beyond ourselves in our opinions As it is common for the younger sort	Polonius decides that this must be what has made Hamlet so angry. Polonius knows the price of a good postage stamp, and he is worried that Hamlet might do something even more rash.
To lack discretion. Come, go we to the king: This must be known; which, being kept close, might move More grief to hide than hate to utter love.	Polonius escorts Ophelia out, as they go to tell King Claudius all about this.
Exeunt	As the stage is left empty, the scene ends...