What is “rotten in the state of Denmark” as Marcellus tells us?

Answer the following in a few short sentences:

Act I

1. What is “rotten in the state of Denmark” as Marcellus tells us? What do we learn about the situation in Scene 1? In 2?

2. What’s the significance of the contrast between Scene 1 and Scene 2? What do we learn about Gertrude, Claudius, and Hamlet in this scene?

3. What is the function of the Polonius-Ophelia-Laertes family in this play? What parallels exist between their situation and that of the ruling family?

Act 2

1. Why does this act open with Polonius and Reynaldo? What does it tell us about Polonius’s character?

2. What theme or motif does it introduce in the play?

3. The First Player’s speech (2.2.448-477) is often cut in performances of the play. Explain why it is important and why it should not be cut.

4. Hamlet’s “O what a rogue and peasant slave am I” (2.2.526-582) is the first of his soliloquies. What is he saying?