Claudius and Gertrude (the queen) welcome two of Hamlets friends, Rosencrantz and Guildernstern. This is because the King and queen are increasingly concerned with Hamlets behavior and the way he is dealing with his fathers death. They have been summoned to Elsinore in order to try and cheer him out of the depressed state he is in, or find out the cause of it. Rosencrantz and Guildernstern agree to investigate this, but aren’t promising to. “both of your majesties, might by the sovereign power you have of us, put your dread pleasures more into command than to entreaty .” in this quote they are saying that the king and queen have asked them to do something politely, even-though they have the power to order or command them to do it. this is probably meant in a rude or ironic way.
Polonius then enters the room and says the ambassadors that Claudius sent to noway are back. He also says that he may know the reason why Hamlet has gone crazy, but lets Cornelius and Voltimand speak first. Voltimand reports on what news there is. He starts off by saying that as soon as they brought up that matter to the weak and old uncle of young fortinbras, he sent out messengers to stop his nephews war preparations, which were originally thought to be against Poland , but found out that they were directed against Denmark. he then had young Fortinbras arrested and made him swear he would not plot anything against Denmark ever again. The old uncle was overjoyed at this and gave him an income of 3000 crowns and told him to attack the polish instead. He has sent a request to Claudius so they can safely allow the troops to pass through Denmark, Claudius says he likes this news and will deal with it later.
Polonius finally talks about hamlet and why he’s mad. He makes a lengthy speech about this, in which he says that Hamlet has gone mad with love for Ophelia. He shows the king and queen the letters and reads them. He starts, but shortly gets interrupted by Gertrude, asking if Hamlet wrote this or not. After some conversation Polonius proposes a plan to find out how mad Hamlet actually is. He starts off by saying that Hamlet often walks around the lobby for four hours at a time. Polonius then says the next time Hamlet does this that Claudius and Polonius will hide behind an ‘arras’ ( a wall hanging Tapestry or curtain) while Ophelia talks to him.(This is in order to see whether he is actually mad with love). At this point Hamlet walks in reading a book. The king and queen exit, leaving Polonius and Hamlet together.
Polonius attempts to talk with hamlet, who looks to be insane, Hamlet calls him a fishmonger which is supposed to be an insult. Most of the answers that hamlet gives are unreasonable, but are observations about Polonius. Polonius steps aside and talks to himself (and the audience) and says that hamlets comments are mad, shortly after this he talks to himself and the audience again. He says that Hamlets comments are full of meaning and describes them as “pregnant”. He then hurries off to arrange the meeting between Hamlet and his daughter.
Just after Polonius leaves Rosencrantz and Guildernstern enter, Hamlet looks pleased to see them. They talk about Hamlets unhappiness in what has been going on recently, he calls Denmark a prison. After this short conversation Hamlet asks them why they have come to Elsinore. They answer that they have come to visit him. He then asks whether they came because they were told to or they came under their own initiative. Guildenstern does not give any real answer,Hamlet declares that they have been sent for, and can tell just from the guilty look on their faces. They confess that what he said was true. Hamlet goes on to a speech talking about how everything is so beautiful and wonderful, but to him it is sterile, worthless and empty.
Rosencrantz smirks when Hamlet says he isn’t interested in people and says if he does not find people interesting , he will find the actors that are travelling to the castle especially boring.
React!