Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 1
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The queen describes Hamlet as “mad as the
sea.” (7)
The king feels Hamlet’s “liberty is a full threat to
us all” (15)
The king then sends for R+G to recover
Polonius’s body.
Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 2
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When asked about the body, Hamlet is
cryptic.
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Lines 27-28
Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 3
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The king is worried that Hamlet goes loose
b/c he is loved by the public so the king can’t
have the law apprehend him.
R+G have had no luck getting Hamlet to
reveal the location of the body.
Hamlet enters, speaking of worms dining on
the dead and catching fish with such worms.
Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 3
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He is acting deranged and saying strange
things.
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At the end of the scene, the king reveals to
the audience his plan to have Hamlet killed in
England.
Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 4
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Here we see Fortinbras and his Norwegian
army.
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They pose no threat to DK as they only wish
to pass through on their way to invade
Poland.
Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 4
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Hamlet’s fourth soliloquy. Lines 33-69.
Hamlet drops his act, and we see the
contemplative and indecisive man who is
distressed with his in ability to act.
He is bummed that so many events conspire
to thwart his revenge. 34-35
Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 4
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Lines 50-59—Here Hamlet compares himself
with the decisive Fortinbras and his decision
to act in spite of the death of his own father.
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Foil--a person or thing that makes another
seem better by contrast
Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 4
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Fortinbras is a foil to Hamlet so the audience
can see what Hamlet could be.
Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 5
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Ophelia enters singing nonsensical songs,
displaying that she has gone mad.
The king concludes this is due to the death of
her father (80).
Laertes enters in a rage, thinking the king
killed his father.
The queen tells him differently, and he then
learns of Hamlet’s role in Polonius’s death.
Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 5
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Ophelia re-enters the scene, and Laertes
sees that his sister has gone mad.
This distresses him greatly.
Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 6
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A letter is delivered to Elsinore that tells of
Hamlet’s return to DK on a pirate ship.
Hamlet—Act 4, Scene 7
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The king has a long conversation with Laertes,
during which he takes advantage of Laertes’
grief.
He plots Hamlet’s murder by way of a poisoned
rapier to be used in a duel. (160-168)
If that should fail, the king will have a poisoned
drink standing by. (181-185)