Act 2 Scene 2 Hamlet Summary

 

"Hamlet" is a tragedy play written by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601. The play follows the story of Prince Hamlet, the heir to the throne of Denmark, as he seeks revenge against his uncle, Claudius, who has murdered Hamlet's father and married his mother, Gertrude.

The play opens with the appearance of the ghost of Hamlet's father, who tells Hamlet that he was murdered by Claudius and urges him to seek revenge. Hamlet feigns madness to avoid suspicion while he carries out his plan, but his behavior becomes increasingly erratic as he struggles with his own emotions and the moral implications of his actions.

Along the way, there are subplots involving Hamlet's love interest, Ophelia, and her brother, Laertes, who both become caught up in the turmoil of the royal court. As the play progresses, Hamlet's friends and family are drawn into his scheme for revenge, with tragic consequences.

In the climactic final act, a fencing match between Hamlet and Laertes results in the deaths of several characters, including Hamlet himself, his mother, and Claudius. The play ends with the arrival of Fortinbras, the prince of Norway, who claims the throne of Denmark in the wake of the tragedy.

Overall, "Hamlet" is a complex and layered play that explores themes of revenge, madness, morality, and the nature of human existence. It is considered one of Shakespeare's greatest works and is still performed and studied widely today.

Act 2 Scene 2 Hamlet Summary

Act 2, Scene 2 of "Hamlet" takes place in the castle of Elsinore, where the newly arrived actors have just finished their performance. Hamlet enters and greets them, expressing his admiration for their art and asking them to perform a play for the following night.

 

After the actors exit, Polonius enters with his servant Reynaldo and gives him instructions to spy on Laertes, who is away in France. Polonius then leaves, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter, old friends of Hamlet's who have been summoned to Elsinore by Claudius to try and discover the cause of Hamlet's madness.

 

Hamlet immediately realizes their true intentions and becomes confrontational with them, questioning their loyalty and accusing them of being used as pawns by Claudius. Despite their protests, Hamlet continues to mock and taunt them, and eventually demands that they perform a musical selection. They comply, but the music only serves to increase Hamlet's melancholy.

Finally, the players return to the stage to perform a scene from the play that Hamlet has requested, which features a murder similar to the one his father suffered. As he watches the scene, Hamlet becomes increasingly agitated and begins to make thinly veiled accusations at Claudius. The scene ends with Hamlet swearing revenge against the murderer in the play, which mirrors his own desire for revenge against Claudius.

Overall, Act 2, Scene 2 serves to further establish the plot of the play and the various subplots involving the characters of Polonius, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and the traveling actors. It also provides insight into Hamlet's state of mind and his ongoing struggle with grief and revenge.