HAMLET: Act II (Feb. 15 - 28, 2010)

[ConnieAnnKirk]

Here's a thread for focus on Act II, if you wish.  Please avoid spoilers past this act for those who've never read or seen the play before.  Thanks!

[ConnieAnnKirk]

Act II, Scene 2, lines 201-202:

Polonius:  [aside] Though this be madness, yet there is method

in 't.--Will you walk ouf of the air, my lord?

***

What do you think?  Could this line be referring to more than Hamlet's appearance to Polonius?

[Avid_Book_Read…]

Polonius could be referring to the whole plot to see what could be troubling Hamlet: his love for Ophelia, Hamlet Sr.'s death, etc. Perhaps Polonius deep down thinks that his (and to an extent, Claudius') plan is not what he usually does when trying to ferret out information. Or is it because Polonius has used this method in finding things out, but NOT on such high-profile figures like Hamlet (he is royalty, after all), and it would be insane to try such sneaky things on the prince? Just throwing stuff out there as it comes into my head, lol.

[Lmfwhite]

---

ConnieK wrote:

Act II, Scene 2, lines 201-202:

Polonius:  [aside] Though this be madness, yet there is method

in 't.--Will you walk ouf of the air, my lord?

***

What do you think?  Could this line be referring to more than Hamlet's appearance to Polonius?

---

I have the "No Fear Shakespeare" version....the complete text of Hamlet along with a line-by-line translation.  For lines 207-210, the interpretation makes me think that Polonius genuinely believes Hamlet is mad.

Original:  How pregnant sometimes his replies are. A happiness that often madness hits on, which reason and sanity could not so prosperously be delivered of.

Translation:  He has a way with words, as crazy people often do, and that sane people don't have a talent for.

[Peppermill]

Polonius:  [aside] Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.

To me, this has always read as if Polonius is questioning whether Hamlet is mad, or is feigning madness for some purpose (i.e., according to some method). 

Will you walk ouf of the air, my lord?

I don't know what to do with this one, other than to wonder if Polonius is trying to use humor to uncover the "real" Hamlet.  After all, Polonius is the tool of the king.

---

ConnieK wrote:

Act II, Scene 2, lines 201-202:

Polonius:  [aside] Though this be madness, yet there is method

in 't.--Will you walk ouf of the air, my lord?

***

What do you think?  Could this line be referring to more than Hamlet's appearance to Polonius?

---