February 22, 2012
Act 2, Scene 1
1. Watch the interaction between Reynaldo and Polonius (51:15-55:00)
a. What do we learn about Polonius from his words and actions here?
(add to chart)
i. View the opening of this scene as directed by Branagh very
carefully. What has been done to further develop Polonius’
character? What effect(s) does it have on our view of him?
ii. What do you make of Polonius sending Reynaldo to spy on
Laertes? What are his motivations here?
2. Continue to end of Scene 1 (55:00-58:10)
a. How do you explain Hamlet’s behaviour, as described by Ophelia? Do
you agree with Polonius that Ophelia’s dismissal of him at Polonius’
command has driven him mad, or is it something else?
b. What does Polonius decide to do about Hamlet? Why?
3. Add to theme and character charts
February 22, 2012
Act 2, Scene 2
1. Watch the conversation between Claudius, Gertrude, Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern. (58:10-1:00:00)
a. What evidence is there that the corruption is spreading?
b. Examine Claudius’s character here. Add information to your
chart.
c. Examine Gertrude. Compare her behaviour/words to those of
Claudius. Add information about her to your chart.
d. This is our first introduction to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Add information about them to your chart. What is it about them
that allows them to be “used” by Claudius here?
February 22, 2012
2. Watch Polonius’ report and Claudius’ discussion with Gertrude
(1:00:00 - 1:01:00)
a. What do we learn about Claudius and Gertrude’s
relationship and understanding of Hamlet?
3. Watch Voltimand’s report to the king (1:01:00-1:02:45)
a. What do we learn about Fortinbras/Norway here?
4. Continue with Polonius’ discussion with the king and queen
(1:02:45 - 1:07:00)
a. What is humorous about Polonius’ speech to the king
and queen? What literary device is being used here?
b. In the written text, Polonius reads the letter to Gertrude
and Polonius. Branagh has chosen to bring Ophelia into
this scene to read the letter herself. Why do you think he
has done this? What effect does it have on the scene, our
understanding of Ophelia and her relationship to Hamlet,
and of the veracity of the letter?
c. He has also added a scene between Ophelia and Hamlet.
How does this affect our Understanding/interpretation of
their relationship?
February 22, 2012
5. Watch the exchange between Hamlet and Polonius
(1:07:00 - 1:10:25)
a. How would you describe the nature of this exchange?
b. What is Hamlet attempting to do here? Support your answer.
c. What literary device is being employed extensively here? What
effect does its use create?
d. How does Polonius interpret Hamlet’s actions?
e. What did you notice about how Branagh interpreted Hamlet’s
character here - i.e. is Hamlet presented as crazy or simply
acting? How is this consistent with the other directorial
decisions that he has made?
February 22, 2012
7. Watch the interaction between Hamlet and Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern. (1:10:25 - 1:26:40)
a. How does Hamlet interpret their presence? What is it about the
behaviour of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that causes Hamlet to
divine the truth of their visit?
b. There is a discussion of acting and actors here. What purpose
does this serve in the context of the play at this time?
c. Analyze the speech given by Hamlet and Player 1. What
connection does this speech have to the events of Hamlet as we
know them to this point?
d. Examine Hamlet’s words to Polonius in lines 517-520. What
wisdom can we learn from these?
February 22, 2012
8. Watch Hamlet’s soliloquy (1:26:40 - 1:30:20)
a. Hamlet compares himself to the first player. What is his purpose in doing
so?
b. There is an obvious shift in content and mood in the middle of this
soliloquy. How does the film use sound and visuals to accentuate this shift?
c. How does Hamlet intend to utilize the players for his own ends?
d. What is symbolic about the action shown to be taken by Hamlet as he ends
this speech?
9. Add information to theme, character, and Hamlet’s for dimensions sheets