Act 2 Scene 1

This scene begins in the middle of a conversation between Polonius and Reynaldo. Polonius is telling Reynaldo to follow Laertes to Paris and see what he is up to. However, he wants Reynaldo to spread lies about Laertes to his fellow college classmates in order to do so. Polonius hopes that by spreading insane lies about Laertes, his classmates will either confirm or deny that Laertes has done what Reynaldo claims. Reynaldo obeys Polonius, leaves, and Ophelia enters soon after. She tells her father that Hamlet came into her room unannounced and acted very strangely. Polonius immediately assumes that Hamlet has done so because he is mad that Ophelia will not communicate with him. Polonius then leaves to tell Claudius of what Hamlet has done.

Ok Polonius, I have some questions for you, because you really start to annoy me in this scene. First of all, what is your reason for wanting to spy on Laertes? What has he done to deserve your suspicion? You need to just leave him alone. Also, aren't you being hypocritical when you laughingly say to Reynaldo that spreading scandalous rumors about your son won't harm your family's name? You made it obvious when you talked to Ophelia in Act 1 that you care greatly about your family's name and reputation. When you speak to Ophelia in this scene, why do you immediately assume that Hamlet is mad because Ophelia won't talk to him? Is it because you truly believe that the have something serious between them? Also, why do you immediately assume that Hamlet's behavior is an indication that he wants Ophelia? You're so suspicious of him all of the time...I'm guessing that you don't especially like Hamlet. AND you also want to report Hamlet's behavior immediately to Claudius...why? You just seem so neurotic and quick to act before thinking things through in this scene. Truthfully, Polonius, you're just being annoying.

I think that the significance of this scene lies within Polonius's behavior toward his children. I have a feeling that his suspicion of them (especially when it comes to their sex lives) isn't going to turn out well.