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?

1. Adjectives Describing King Claudius and His Manner of Speaking

• 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.

2. Fortinbras’ Demand for the Return of Lost Lands

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

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

• 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.

6. Evidence of Hamlet and Horatio’s Close Friendship

• 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.

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

8. Hamlet’s Anxiety to See the Ghost

• 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.