Hamlet
Act Four
Scene One

Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet killed Polonius

Claudius, Gertrude, and their advisors will figure out a
way to tell the public about Polonius’ death without
making Hamlet look like an enemy

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sent to convince
Hamlet to bring Polonius’ body to the chapel before they
all leave for England
Scene Two

Hamlet doesn’t tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern where
he put Polonius’ body

Hamlet calls Rosencrantz a sponge because he is used by
Claudius to soak up information and tell Claudius
everything he knows

“you shall be dry again,” – Hamlet foreshadowing
Rosencrantz’s death
Scene Two Continued

“The body is with the king, but the king is not with the
body. The king is a thing-”
Hamlet

Body could mean either Polonius or King Hamlet
King could mean either King Claudius or King Hamlet


Hamlet may be avoiding responsibility for his actions,
threatening Claudius, or speaking generally about what
happens when people die.
Scene Three

Claudius also cannot get Hamlet to tell him where
Polonius’ body is, but he does hint at its location

Hamlet’s speech is not making sense

Hamlet is sent to England

Claudius has asked the king of England to kill Hamlet as
soon as he arrives there
Scene Four

Fortinbras enters with his army to ask Claudius’
permission to pass through Demark to Poland

One of the captains tells Hamlet they are planning to fight
for a small piece of land that isn’t worth much, but that
the Polish army is already stationed to defend it

Hamlet says, “This is th’ impostume of much wealth and
peace, that inward breaks and shows no cause without
why the man dies.”
Too much peace and money are not good for a country

Scene Four Continued

Hamlet feels that Fortinbras’ willingness to fight for
something is yet another reason he should have gotten
his revenge by now

Hamlet says, “ Oh, from this time forth, my thoughts be
bloody, or be nothing worth!”

Hamlet will now only think about and act on violent
thoughts
Scene Five

Ophelia has seemingly gone insane since her father died

She is desperately trying to see Gertrude to talk to her,
but Gertrude is hesitant because she feels guilty because
of her role in Polonius’ death

Ophelia is described as insane and she sings a song about
love and virginity
Scene Five Continued

People in Denmark are talking about Polonius’ death
because Claudius buried him quickly without the proper
state funeral

Laertes has secretly returned from France and there are
rumors that Claudius is responsible for Polonius’ death

People storm the castle chanting “ Laertes shall be king!
Laertes king!”
Scene Five Continued

Laertes confronts Clauidus

Laertes as Hamlet’s counterpart – he calls himself a
bastard since his father’s murderer is still living while
Hamlet still has not acted in revenge

Ophelia’s madness further encourages Laertes to get
revenge for his father

Laertes to agrees to hear Claudius’ side of the story
Scene Six

A sailor finds Horatio with a letter from Hamlet

A pirate ship attacked the ship Hamlet was taking to
England and somehow Hamlet ended up on board with
the pirates as the only prisoner

Hamlet is back in Denmark and the sailors will show
Horatio where to find him because he has a lot to tell
him about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
Scene Seven

Claudius tells Laertes the truth about Polonius’ death and
gives two reasons why more was not done to punish
Hamlet

1. Gertrude loves her son and Claudius does not want to
hurt Gertrude
2. The public loves Hamlet and would twist anything bad
Claudius says about him into something good and they
would only hate Claudius instead

Scene Seven Continued

Hamlet’s letter tells Claudius that he is back in Denmark
and wants to see him tomorrow

Claudius promises Laertes that Hamlet will be killed and
it will be in a way that leaves both of them innocent