Hamlet 2.2 | Hamlet’s Feigned Madness And The Corruption Of The Court

Question 1

2.2 “Hamlet can be privileged in madness to say things about the corruption of the royal court”

Answer 1

Mack

Question 2

2.2 “Fishmonger”

Answer 2

By calling polonius this, he subtly implies that polonius is morally corrupt and willing to “sell” his daughters honour for political advantage

Question 3

2.2 “To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand”

Answer 3

Hamlet uses this observation to imply that dishonesty is rampant in the court, indirectly accusing polonius and others for moral corruption

Question 4

2.2 “Sun breeds maggots in a dead dog”

Answer 4

Metaphor suggests by hamlet that court is like a rotting body, where power (sun) fosters corruption + moral decay symbolised by polonius and others who thrive in it

Question 5

2.2 “Words, words, words” + “more matter with less art”

Answer 5

By dismissing polonius’ question with this phrase, hamlet critiques the courts empty rhetoric and insincerity implying that polonius himself is full of hollow words