Hamlet's best friend, Horatio, has to see for himself if the stories of a spirit are true. Standing watch with Marcella and Bernadette, he sees the apparition for himself.

Laertes does not approve of his sister Ophelia's attraction to Hamlet, and warns her to be cautious.

Laertes, preparing to return to France, is grabbed for a lecture by his father, Polonius; to the great delight of Ophelia.

Horatio has told Hamlet of his encounter, which Hamlet wishes to experience as well.

The ghost tells Hamlet a tale of betrayal which supports what he has always felt; his Uncle, now King, is a murderer.

Hamlet wants to be more certain that what he has heard is the truth.

So he swears Horatio and Marcella to secrecy upon his sword.

Ophelia is perplexed by Hamlet's strange behavior, and tells her father of it.

Polonius listens carefully, and is convinced that it is the madness of love.

Claudius is also concerned about Hamlet's strange behavior, and asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to keep and eye on him.

Polonius has an audience with the King and Queen to put forth his theory that Hamlet is “love struck”.