Hamlet Act IV Close Reading ACT IV, scene 1
Plot (LINES 1–32)

Describe the Queen’s mental state and the King’s reaction to her news. How do their emotions affect the
opening scene’s tone and pace?
Character (LINES 38–45)

Cite evidence which shows the King’s overriding concern about maintaining his political power. Was he
concerned that justice be done for the murder of Polonius?
ACT IV, scene 2
Conflict (sc. 2 LINES 9–21)

How is Hamlet treating Rosencrantz and Guildenstern? Is it different from the way he treated them in
the past? Explain Hamlet’s meaning when he calls Rosencrantz a sponge.
Character (sc. 2 LINES 22–31)

Describe Hamlet’s tone here. Is he back to feigning madness, as he did in Act II?
ACT IV, scene 3
Determine Theme (sc. 3 LINES 4–5)

Discuss the theme echoed in these lines by Claudius. What is the irony that Claudius is making this
statement?
Determine Figurative Meanings (sc. 3 LINES 18–32)

Reread lines 18–32 and identify lines in which a metaphor is established and extended. What is the
metaphor?
Analyze Language: Soliloquy (sc. 3 LINES 61–71)

Identify and analyze lines which use a simile to explain the King’s deepest thoughts about Hamlet.

What previously unrevealed plan does Claudius reveal here, and how does it reflect on his character?
ACT IV, scene 4
Foil (sc. 4 LINES 1–7)
Foil is a character whose actions contrast sharply with those of another character. Because Hamlet is the
central character in the play, other characters may serve as a foil to bring his actions into sharper focus.

Compare the character traits expressed in this short speech by Fortinbras with the character shown by
Hamlet up until this point.
Analyze Language: Soliloquy (sc. 4 LINES 34–68)
Hamlet’s previous soliloquy came in Act II—before the play, before Claudius revealed his guilt, before Hamlet
murdered Polonius and confronted his mother. Examine this soliloquy for evidence of change.

Sum up Hamlet’s thinking in lines 34–48.

Sum up what Hamlet thinks of Fortinbras, lines 48–58.

How does Hamlet feel about himself and how does he plan to act in the future (lines 58-68)?
ACT IV, scene 5
Inferences (sc. 5 LINES 1–21)

Infer the cause of Ophelia’s madness and support your inferences with evidence from the play.
Conflict (sc. 5 LINES 76–97)

Reread lines 76–87 and identify the events that are causing emotional and moral conflict for Claudius
(list 4).

In lines 88–95, Claudius delivers news the audience has not yet heard. What is this news and how does it
add to the conflicts Claudius experiences at this moment in the play?
Foil (sc. 5 LINES 102–120)
Notice this initial description of Laertes and notice that both Laertes and Hamlet have a reason(s) for
revenge. However, the way they respond to their situation is completely the opposite.
Foil (sc. 5 LINES 135–141)

Describe Laertes’ strongly stated public intentions and compare them with the way that Hamlet has
approached the issue of his father’s death.
Foil (sc. 5 LINES 161–170)
Notice Laertes’ emotional state here and how Laertes again is a foil to Hamlet.
ACT IV, scene 6
Plot (sc. 6 LINES 13–31)

Summarize the events related in Hamlet’s letter to Horatio.
ACT IV, scene 7
Plot (sc. 7 LINES 10–36)

Read lines 10–25 closely and sum up the two reasons—or excuses—Claudius gives Laertes as to why he
has done nothing to bring Hamlet to justice.
Determine Figurative Meanings (sc. 7 LINES 56–58)

Examine lines 56–58 and describe the imagery used by Shakespeare to illustrate Laertes’ feeling—what
is warming his heart?
Character (sc. 7 LINES 110–129)

Describe how Claudius baits Laertes and what these lines reveal about the King’s character.
Plot (sc. 6 LINES 130–142)

Sum up the plan Claudius pitches to Laertes.
Analyze Drama Elements (sc. 7 LINES 166–187)

Identify images and sensory details in the Queen’s story of Ophelia’s death.