HAMLET–FINISH Act 2:2

The 2009 production shifts scenes a little, but we’re going to watch it in order of the text. We’ll watch beginning at 1:05:05 to 1:26:20

What questions do you have?

When Hamlet first meets Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, his speech shifts: it’s in prose, not iambic pentameter. He does this a few times, you’ll notice. Some theories why? It makes him more common when he’s speaking to others. Also can be a sign that he’s more mad—his language isn’t as careful or lyrical.

HANDOUT: “I have of late lost all my mirth . . .” speech. Let’s also look more closely at the language, the descriptions. We have done that yet with Shakespeare, and this is a good place to examine what he’s doing, going line by line.

Two schools of thought about approaching this speech (and directors play it both ways): 1) Hamlet says it ironically or sarcastically, or 2) he says it sincerely.

How does the speech change when you look at it in those different approaches? How do you think he means it?

And here’s our King Claudius, (years ago when he’s in his late 40s), as Capt. Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” reciting part of this speech. What’s his take on it? (Sir Patrick is 69 in the production we’re watching.)

HOMEWORK: Read Act 3:1-2. EXCEPT, there’s a big section of Player Queen and Player King which you may skim. It’s the actors Hamlet has performing the play, and it gets a little tedious. Skim but pay attention to Hamlet’s interjections, especially when he says, “Wormwood, wormwood”—look at the four lines before it. Kind of nasty, aimed straight for his mother.
Pay closer attention again to when Hamlet asks Gertrude, “Madam, how like you this play?”

Create two Ham Logs, one for each scene.