Hamlet Act IV
Scene i
1. What clue does Claudius give that he knows the rapier was meant for
him and not Polonius? Quote the line.
“It had been so with us had we been there” (i.e. I, Claudius, would
have been killed if I had been there).
Page 1611
2. What is the reason Claudius gives for sending Hamlet away?
Hamlet is a threat to everyone PLUS Claudius fears he will be
blamed for not keeping a tight leash on Hamlet.
3. What is the real reason Claudius wants to send Hamlet away?
Hamlet obviously knows about his father’s murder and is a danger
now.
Scene ii
1. What does Hamlet mean when he calls Rosencrantz a “sponge”?
Brown-noser—who soaks up the king’s favors like a sponge until
the king squeezes him and he is dry again.
2. This scene employs another pun: “The body is with the king, but the
king is not with the body. The king is a thing---“ (IV.ii.21-22). Who
does each “king” refer to?
(a) king Dead king Hamlet
(b) king Claudius (who is not dead like the body)
(c) king Claudius (of no importance)?
The throne? The ghost?
3. What does Hamlet mean by, “A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear”
(IV.ii.18)?
Satire is wasted on idiots
A shrewd remark is not understood by a foolish person
Scene iii
1. What does Hamlet mean by saying Polonius is at supper (IV.iii.18)?
(p. 1613)
He is where the worms feast on his dead body—Polonius’s body is
now ruled by worms—we all end up food for worms
2. Why does Claudius want the king of England to do his dirty work?
(1) The people of Denmark LOVE Hamlet
(2) Takes away the blame and focus from Claudius
3. What does Hamlet mean when he says: “In heaven. Send thither to see.
If your messenger find him not there, seek him i’ th’ other place
yourself” (IV.iii.31-2)?
You can find him in Hell
4. How do we know that Claudius is “onto” Hamlet?
Letter to England speaks of Hamlet as a danger to him
Scene iv
1. How does this scene aptly show Fortinbras as Hamlet’s foil?
(p.1615).
Fortinbras is depicted as a man of action as he ventures to Poland
to attack. Hamlet, by contrast, reflects on the nature of war and
why people fight and his own need for revenge.
2. Paraphrase the soliloquy (IV.iv.32-66)
Everything around him reminds him of what he has yet to do. Man
must be more than a beast who eats and sleeps—God gave man
intelligence and reasoning that he must use. He questions why he
hasn’t done it. He says to be great does NOT mean not to act
without a noble cause (one must act on a noble cause)—act for the
sake of HONOR—he becomes resolved to act on his revenge as he
sees Fortinbras do.
Scene v
1. Contrast Ophelia with Hamlet
Ophelia seems to be truly mad while Hamlet can still rationalize
and reflect.
2. How is Laertes shown to be a foil to Hamlet?
Both have lost fathers in an unnatural way
Laertes is rash and quick to action while Hamlet is a deep thinker
Suggestion that Laertes should inherit the throne
Both have women to protect
3. What is ironic about Claudius saying, “such divinity doth hedge a king
that treason can but peep to” (IV.v.117-8-118).
Royalty has divine protection (so, don’t worry about Laertes)—yet,
it didn’t stop Claudius from killing his brother the king.
4. How are the flowers significant to the meaning of text (IV.v.168-174)?
(Clue: Fennel and Columbine symbolize unfaithfulness; Rue
symbolizes repentance; Daisy is a symbol for unrequited love)
Laertes says---sadness, suffering, violent feeling and hell itself are
turned into charming, pretty things.
Indicates Ophelia’s guilt over losing her virtue to Hamlet and then
being rejected after her father warned her. Then, her father is
killed (by her lover)
Fennel: flattery for Claudius
Columbine: unfaithfulness for Claudius
Rue: for sorrow to Gertrude
Daisy: spring and love to Gertrude
Violets: to self for sweetness that she lost with father’s death
Rosemary: to Laertes for remembrance
Pansies: to Laertes for thought
Scene vi-vii
1. How do Claudius and Laertes plan to get rid of Hamlet so as not to be
blamed?
Make it look like an accident. Poison the tip of the sword in the
duel (p. 1625).
2. Compare lines 119-124 (page 1627) with lines 180-184 (page 1598).
How are they similar?
The player king talks about how friends can turn them into
enemies. Claudius tells Laertes that he should be an enemy of
Hamlet and revenge his father’s death.
3. What is ironic about Laertes willingness to cut Hamlet’s throat while in
church?
Hamlet did not kill Claudius while he was praying---Claudius says
there is no sanctuary for murder, yet he was given sanctuary from
Hamlet when he was praying.
4. Compare Laertes, “I forbid my tears” (IV.vii.185) to Hamlet’s show of
emotions.
Laertes is able to contain his emotions---Hamlet cannot
Laertes is able to act on his revenge—Hamlet delays