The King and Queen enter with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and others. King Claudius has summoned Hamlet’s two school chums to Elsinore to have them spy on the Prince and report back to Claudius, recounting Hamlet’s every move. The Queen promises them handsome compensation for their spying and assures them that Hamlet’s own good requires the service. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern agree. The two leave to seek Prince Hamlet, and the King and Queen turn their attention to Polonius, who claims to have the answer to Prince Hamlet’s affliction He promises to elaborate further after Claudius receives his newly arrived ambassadors from Norway.

When Polonius exits, Gertrude scoffs at the old man’s intimations. She remains certain that Hamlet’s woes are caused by the old king’s death and her hasty remarriage. Polonius returns with Ambassadors Voltemand and Cornelius. They bring news from Norway that the old and ailing king, brother to the slain King Fortinbras, has managed to restrain his nephew, young Fortinbras, from invading Denmark. In return, however, the old man asks that Denmark provide some assistance in Fortinbras’ campaign against Poland — that Claudius allow Fortinbras to pass through Denmark on his way to Poland.