Scene I

Polonius suspects that Laertes is living an immoral lifestyle and sends Reynaldo, to spy on him. Ophelia arrives and is still shaken by Hamlets recent behavior. He appeard in her bed chamber with his pants down to his ankles, he held onto her by the hands and stared at her for a long time. Polonius thinking Hamlet has gone mad goes to see the King.

 

Scene II

Claudius has also noticed Hamlets odd behavior and asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find out what is wrong. Polonius enters and announces the return of the ambassoadors from Norway, and that Fortinbras is to invade Poland instead of Denmark. He also states his belief that the cause of Hamlets madness is unrequited love from Ophelia. Claudius belives that the madness is because of his father's death. Gertrude puts the blame upon herself, because of the hasty marriage and is feeling guilt from not mourning the death of Old Hamlet. A troupe of actors have arrived and Hamlet makes converstion with them, as he enjoys the theater and knows much about it. He then procedes to ask if they could perform the "Murder of Gonzago" with a few of his lines added in. The actor agrees. Hamlet then is alone and questions is lack of action. He decides to add lines that will make Claudius feel guilty and observe his reaction to the play.