Scene Two 1. Read the opening speech of King Claudius and then select adjectives from the list provided below which seem to you best describes the King and the manner in which he speaks: sincere; smooth; worldly; gentle; hypocritical; noble. 2. Why had the young Fortinbras decided, at this moment, to demand the return of the lands his father had lost? 3. From your own experience of loss through death, explain why Claudius' and Gertrude's remarks and advice to Hamlet are extraordinarily insensitive. 4. Is Hamlet's agreement really 'gentle and unforc'd accord', as Claudius claims? 5. Hamlet's first soliloquy reinforces our impression of him as a young man in a state of deep depression. Examine the soliloquy carefully and then discuss how he feels about himself, the state of the world, and his mother. 6. How do we know that Hamlet and Horatio are close friends? 7. "My father's spirit in arms': what reason does Hamlet give for his father's ghost appearing in armour? 8. Why do you think Hamlet is so anxious to see the ghost?

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Certainly! Below are comprehensive answers to each of your questions regarding Scene Two of Shakespeare's *Hamlet*.

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### **1. Adjectives Describing King Claudius and His Manner of Speaking**

**Selected Adjectives: Smooth, Worldly, Hypocritical, Noble**

- **Smooth**: Claudius’s speech is polished and eloquent, showcasing his ability to communicate effectively and manage courtly affairs seamlessly.
  
- **Worldly**: He demonstrates a deep understanding of political maneuvering and diplomacy, reflecting his experience and sophistication in worldly matters.

- **Hypocritical**: Despite mourning his brother’s death, Claudius has swiftly moved on to marry Queen Gertrude, revealing a discrepancy between his public expressions of grief and his private ambitions.

- **Noble**: Claudius presents himself with regal authority and commands respect, embodying the qualities expected of a king.

*Note*: While Claudius exhibits nobility and smoothness, his actions suggest hypocrisy, especially concerning his rapid remarriage. He may not fully embody sincerity or gentleness, given his underlying motives.

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### **2. Fortinbras’ Demand for the Return of Lost Lands**

Young **Fortinbras** is motivated by a sense of honor and the restoration of his father’s lost territories. His father, the late King of Norway, previously lost lands to Denmark, and Fortinbras seeks to reclaim them to restore his family's honor and assert his rightful claim. Additionally, Fortinbras's actions reflect his ambition and desire to expand his influence, perhaps compensating for his father's defeat.

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### **3. Insensitivity of Claudius’ and Gertrude’s Remarks to Hamlet**

From personal experiences of loss, it's evident that grieving individuals require empathy and understanding rather than superficial reassurances. Claudius and Gertrude attempt to comfort Hamlet with platitudes and urge him to move past his sorrow quickly. This approach is insensitive because:

- **Dismissal of Genuine Grief**: They minimize Hamlet’s profound sense of loss, failing to acknowledge the depth of his mourning over his father's death and his mother's swift remarriage.
  
- **Lack of Emotional Support**: Instead of providing a safe space for Hamlet to express his feelings, they impose their own expectations of how he should behave, ignoring his unique emotional needs.
  
- **Perceived Self-Interest**: Claudius’s advice may be seen as self-serving, aiming to stabilize his reign rather than genuinely support Hamlet, exacerbating Hamlet’s feelings of isolation and mistrust.

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### **4. Hamlet’s Agreement: 'Gentle and Unforced Accord'**

While Claudius claims that Hamlet has agreed to move forward amicably, this assertion is not entirely accurate. Hamlet’s demeanor and subsequent actions suggest otherwise:

- **Underlying Resentment**: Hamlet harbors deep resentment towards his mother's remarriage and Claudius's ascension to the throne, which he masks behind a facade of compliance.
  
- **Emotional Turmoil**: His internal struggle and visible distress indicate that his agreement may not be entirely voluntary or genuine but rather a façade to navigate a politically sensitive environment.
  
- **Foreshadowing**: Hamlet’s later behavior and soliloquies reveal his dissatisfaction and plans for revenge, highlighting that his outward agreement is superficial and not reflective of his true feelings.

Thus, while externally presenting a "gentle and unforced accord," Hamlet is internally conflicted and not fully in agreement with Claudius’s terms.

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### **5. Hamlet’s First Soliloquy: Feelings About Himself, the World, and His Mother**

In his first soliloquy, Hamlet delves deep into his psyche, revealing his profound despair and disillusionment:

- **Self-Perception**: Hamlet views himself as deeply corrupted and morally compromised. He expresses shame and self-loathing, feeling trapped in a world that he perceives as fraught with deceit and moral decay.
  
- **View of the World**: He articulates a bleak outlook, describing life as "weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable." This reflects his nihilistic tendencies and loss of faith in humanity and societal structures.
  
- **Feelings Toward His Mother**: Hamlet is anguished by his mother's hasty remarriage to Claudius. He perceives her actions as a betrayal, undermining the sanctity of his father’s memory and their marriage. His use of phrases like “O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason” indicates his disgust and moral outrage.

Overall, the soliloquy underscores Hamlet’s deep depression, his sense of betrayal, and his struggle to find purpose in a world he now feels disconnected from.

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### **6. Evidence of Hamlet and Horatio’s Close Friendship**

Their close friendship is evident through several interactions and sentiments:

- **Confidant Relationship**: Hamlet entrusts Horatio with his deepest fears and desires, including his contemplation of suicide and his suspicions about the ghost of his father.
  
- **Mutual Respect and Trust**: Horatio consistently supports Hamlet, offering truthful counsel and displaying unwavering loyalty, as seen when he agrees to join Hamlet in watching for the ghost.
  
- **Emotional Bond**: Their camaraderie is portrayed through genuine concern for each other’s well-being, and Horatio serves as Hamlet’s sounding board, helping him navigate his complex emotions and plans.

These elements collectively highlight the depth and sincerity of their friendship.

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### **7. Reason for Hamlet’s Father’s Ghost Appearing in Armour**

Hamlet suggests that the ghost appears in armour to signify that his father was a soldier who died defending Denmark. The appearance in armor symbolizes his father's role as a warrior and perhaps hints at unresolved conflicts or unfinished business related to his service and the loss of honor or territory. Additionally, the ghost’s martial appearance could imply a call to action, nudging Hamlet towards avenging his wrongful death.

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### **8. Hamlet’s Anxiety to See the Ghost**

Hamlet is eager to see his father's ghost for several reasons:

- **Search for Truth**: He suspects that there is more to his father’s death than mere natural causes, especially given his uncle Claudius’s rapid ascent to the throne and marriage to Gertrude.
  
- **Desire for Closure**: Hamlet seeks answers about the circumstances surrounding his father’s death to find peace and understand his own turbulent emotions.
  
- **Preparation for Action**: If the ghost's revelations confirm foul play, Hamlet feels compelled to take action, aligning with his sense of duty and honor.
  
- **Personal Connection**: Encountering the ghost could provide Hamlet with a tangible connection to his father, helping him process his grief and filial obligations.

His anxiety is thus rooted in a combination of seeking truth, emotional need, and the anticipation of a potentially transformative revelation.

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I hope these answers provide clarity and deepen your understanding of Scene Two in *Hamlet*. If you have any more questions or need further elaboration, feel free to ask!
**1. Adjectives Describing King Claudius and His Manner of Speaking** - **Smooth**: Claudius speaks eloquently and confidently. - **Worldly**: He is experienced in political matters. - **Hypocritical**: Despite mourning, he remarries quickly. - **Noble**: He presents himself as a king should. **2. Fortinbras’ Demand for the Return of Lost Lands** Young Fortinbras wants to reclaim the lands his father lost to Denmark to restore his family's honor and assert his claim. **3. Insensitivity of Claudius’ and Gertrude’s Remarks to Hamlet** Claudius and Gertrude dismiss Hamlet’s deep grief with superficial words, ignoring his emotional pain and moving on quickly, which is insensitive. **4. Hamlet’s Agreement: 'Gentle and Unforced Accord'** Hamlet’s outward agreement is not genuine; he is internally conflicted and resentful, masking his true feelings. **5. Hamlet’s First Soliloquy: Feelings About Himself, the World, and His Mother** Hamlet feels deeply depressed, disillusioned with the world, and betrayed by his mother’s remarriage, expressing disgust and moral outrage. **6. Evidence of Hamlet and Horatio’s Close Friendship** Hamlet trusts Horatio with his deepest thoughts, Horatio supports him, and they share a strong emotional bond, showing their close friendship. **7. Reason for Hamlet’s Father’s Ghost Appearing in Armour** The ghost appears in armor to symbolize his father’s role as a soldier and to hint at unresolved military matters related to his death. **8. Hamlet’s Anxiety to See the Ghost** Hamlet wants to see the ghost to uncover the truth about his father’s death, seek closure, and prepare to take action against Claudius. --- These simplified answers cover the key points from the original questions and full answers.

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