Hamlet
Act 2, Sc. 2, lines 270-297: Is Hamlet still pretending to be mad during this part of the scene? Support your answer with text evidence.
Hamlet. But in the beaten way of
friendship, what make you at Elsinore?
Rosencrantz. To visit you, my lord, no other occasion.
Hamlet. Beggar that I am, I am even poor in thanks, but I
thank you. And sure, dear friends, my thanks are too dear a
halfpenny. Were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining?
Is it a free visitation? Come, come, deal justly with me.
Come, come. Nay, speak.
Guildenstern. What should we say, my lord?
Hamlet. Why, anything. But to the purpose. You were sent
for, and there is a kind of confession in your looks, which
your modesties have not craft enough to colour. I know the
good King and Queen have sent for you.
Rosencrantz. To what end, my lord?
Hamlet. That, you must teach me. But let me conjure you, by
the rights of our fellowship, by the consonancy of your youth,
by the obligation of our ever-preserved love, and by what
more dear a better proposer can charge you withal, be even
and direct with me whether you were sent for or no.
Rosencrantz. [aside to Guildenstern] What say you?
Hamlet. Nay, then I have an eye of you. If you love me, hold
not off.
Guildenstern. My lord, we were sent for.
Hamlet. I will tell you why; so shall my anticipation prevent
your discovery, and your secrecy to the King and Queen
moult no feather. I have of late, but wherefore I know not,
lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercise; and indeed
it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goody frame...