Hamlet
Act 4
1. Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet is mad and that he killed
Polonius. Claudius is afraid that these events will make him
lose his reputation (he wants people to like him).
2. Hamlet calls R&G ‘stupid dogs’ (they listen blindly to
Claudius and accept his gifts)
3. Claudius asks Hamlet where Polonius is. Hamlet: ‘at supper…
not where he eats, but where he is eaten.’ (message:
Polonius is dead)
4. ‘The fat king with his country and the thin man with no job
are just different dishes in the same meal. We all feed
worms in the end.’ (meaning: we all die, but Claudius, you
should prepare because you are the next to die – a direct
threat, which Claudius understands very well)
5. ‘in Heaven. Send a messenger to find him. If he
isn’t there, you can look for him in Hell.’ (meaning:
you are a murderer, I am sure you will go to Hell,
and you have no access to Heaven)
6. Hamlet calls Claudius ‘dear mother’ two times –
meaning: you are weak, like a woman (coward)
7. Ophelia becomes mad (shock of her father’s death)
– she is singing about her father and about Hamlet
8. Claudius decided to hide what happened to
Polonius – he is burried quickly and secretly
(Claudius is afraid to give Hamlet a trial, because
Hamlet will tell everyone about his father’s death).
9. People start talking about Polonius’ death and they
blame Claudius for not being a good and fair king.
10. Laertes comes from France and people start a
revolt – they want Laertes to become king
(democracy).
11. Laertes wants revenge for his father’s death – he
wants to kill Claudius on the spot (he is not religious
like Hamlet and he does not hesitate to threaten
the king).
12. Laertes sees Ophelia mad and believes that
Hamlet is guilty for both his father’s death and his
sister’s madness.
13. Claudius manipulates Laertes against Hamlet.
14. Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet describing
what has happened on his ship.
PIRATES
Hamlet
R&G
15. Claudius receives a letter from Hamlet – message: I
come back to Denmark and we need to talk, Claudius.
16. Claudius is nervous (he expected news that Hamlet is
dead, not that he returns)
17. Claudius tells Laertes that he did not kill Hamlet for 2
reasons: Gertrude loves him (Claudius does not want
trouble with his marriage) and Hamlet is very popular
with common people (Claudius wants people tolike
him).
18. Claudius and Laertes have a plan: invite Hamlet to a
friendly sword-fight with Laertes. During the fight
remove the sword protector, put poison on the sword
and kill Hamlet. Also, Claudius will put poison in a cup
of wine and give it to Hamlet to drink.
19. Gertrude brings news that Ophelia is dead: she fell
from a tree in the water and drowned.