Act 2

Scene 1

Time: Probably several days after act 1

Location: A room in the house of Polonius

Characters: Polonius, Reynaldo (Polonius’ servant), Ophelia
 

Polonius, the court secretary, instructs his servant Reynaldo to spy on Laertes in Paris. He wants to know exactly what offenses his son might have been guilty of in Paris. 

Shortly thereafter, Ophelia tells her father about a very disturbing encounter with Hamlet. Hamlet, she says, stormed into her room, completely distraught and strangely dressed, but did not say a word, only sighed deeply and stared at her.

Polonius immediately interprets Hamlet’s insane behavior as the result of Ophelia’s rejection of his love: He believes Hamlet has gone mad out of unrequited love. Now Polonius regrets thinking that Hamlet’s vows of love were insinc...