Secrecy & Espionage

Question 1

How does the beginning dialogue of the play and how does it create tension

Answer 1

“Who’s there?” - interrogative
“Nay answer me stand and unfold urself” - refusal, military like imperative, imagery of concealment, hidden, secrecy
- stichomythia (fast paced dialogue between characters)

Question 2

Polonius to reynaldo before sending him to spy on Laertes (2,1): “your bait of falsehood…

Answer 2

“… takes this carp of truth”
- polonius as Machiavellian
- theme of deception
- metaphor for subtlety & indirection

Question 3

Act 2 scene 2: Polonius planning to spy on hamlet & Ophelia: “I will find where the truth is hid…

Answer 3

…though it were his indeed within the centre”
> theme of spying & espionage
Astute politician > sycophantic to Claudius

Question 4

How is it suggested hamlet is aware of polonius & claudius’s presence as they spy on him during his 3,1 soliloquy ( film interpretation)

Answer 4

Branagh:,performs soliloquy to mirrored doors > appears to be soliloquising (as Shakespeare wrote + speaking to himself in the mirror) but in reality it is truly a monologue (Polonius and Claudius seen on the other side of the door and both sides are filmed)

Question 5

What is ironic about the fact that polonius “(falls and dies)” while he “(hides behind the arras)” and what its its significance

Answer 5

• many stage interpretations present his death as comedic to highlight the Situational irony > symbolises the consequences and destructive nature of spying and deceit
• turning point catalysing the tragic chain of events (caludiau’s fear, Ophelia’s death & Laertes desire for revenge) that leads to the end of the play, esp for hamlet as it reveals his capacity for violence and his inability to coordinate his thoughts and actions) hamlet does himself what he was trying to punish)