Act 2, Sc. 2, lines 298-316: As he speaks, does Hamlet believe in the positive or the negative images he creates? Explain.

Hamlet. the earth seems to me a sterile promontory, this most

excellent canopy air, look you, this brave o'erhanging

firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why,

it appeareth nothing to me but a foul and pestilent

congregation of vapours. What a piece of work is a man, how

noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and

moving how express and admirable, in action how like an

angel, in apprehension how like a god: the beauty of the

world, the paragon of animals - and yet, to me, what is this

quintessence of dust? Man delights not me - no, nor woman

neither, though by your smiling you seem to say so.

Rosencrantz. My lord, there was no such stuff in my

thoughts.

Hamlet. Why did ye laugh then, when I said man delights not me?

Rosencrantz. To think, my lord, if you delight not in man,

what Lenten entertainment the players shall recieve from you.

We coted them on the way, and hither are they coming

to offer you service.