Act 4 notes
 Lots
of short scenes
 WHY?

Shakespeare was trying to build suspense leading
up to the catastrophe (death of tragic hero)
 The
scene opens with Gertrude running to
Claudius to tell him what has happened to
Polonius.
 The King decides that Hamlet needs to be
sent to England immediately since he poses a
threat to all.
 Claudius calls on Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern to find out from Hamlet where
he has hid Polonius’ body.
 Rosencrantz
and Guildenstern attempt to
find out from Hamlet where Polonius’ body
is.
 Hamlet gives a very baffling reply which
shows that he continues to act crazy.
 Hamlet will not give up the location of the
body.
 The
King attempt to find out from Hamlet
where Polonius’ body is.
 Hamlet refuses to give up the information.
 Instead, he focuses on the physical aspects of
Polonius’ death which shows that Hamlet’s
awareness of death has changed since Act 1.
 The King decides that he must send Hamlet
to his death in England.
 Claudius will not be able to rest until Hamlet
is dead.
 Fortinbras
passes peacefully through
Denmark in order to gain a patch of land
from Poland.
 Hamlet admires Fortinbras for being able to
go after what he wants swiftly.
 This scene highlights Fortinbras as a
character foil to Hamlet
 Hamlet’s fourth soliloquy reveals his thoughts
of cowardice and how he vows to now
become “bloody” and take action.
It has been revealed to the King and Queen that
Ophelia has gone mad.
 She enters and appears very disheveled, much
like Hamlet in Act 2.
 She sings songs about failed romance and the
death of her father.
 The songs indicate to the audience that she is
going mad and it is most likely due to the fact
that her true love (Hamlet) had killed her father
(Polonius)
 Laertes enters and demands to have answers
about his father’s death and the location of his
body.

 Ophelia
returns distributing flowers to the
following characters:

Laertes: rosemary and pansies


King: fennel and columbine


Symbolic of remembrance and thoughts
Symbolic of flattery and disloyalty
Queen: rue and daisy


Symbolic of adultery and innocence
Upon seeing Ophelia’s behavior, Laertes wants nothing
more than to seek his revenge for his father’s death.
 Horatio
receives a letter from Hamlet saying
that his ship was attacked by pirates and
that he plans to return to Denmark.
 This is his chance to return to England and
seek revenge on Claudius once and for all
 WILL HE DO IT?
 The
King and Laertes enter and discuss the
fate of Hamlet
 Claudius explains that he could not kill
Hamlet himself because of the Queen and
the people of Denmark love him.
 They find out that Hamlet is on his way back
to Denmark from England and plot a way to
“accidentally” kill him.
 They will stage a fencing match, dip Laertes’
sword in poison and make Hamlet’s death
look like an accident.
 Back up plan: feed Hamlet a poisoned drink
 The
Queen enters and reveals to Claudius
and Laertes that Ophelia has drowned.
 She fell from a branch into the brook and the
weight of her flowers and garlands caused
her to sink to the bottom of the brook.



Was her death intentional or accidental?
Now Laertes wants to take action even more
against Hamlet since he is to blame for his
father’s and sister’s deaths.
Hamlet/Laertes = characters foils
“Do it, England/For like the hectic in the blood
her rages,/And thou must cure me. Till I know
‘tis done.” –Claudius, IV.iv.74-76
 “Now whether it be bestial oblivion or some
craven scruple/Of thinking too precisely on the
event.” –Hamlet, IV.iv.41-43
 Well, God dild you. They say the owl was a
baker’s daughter.” –Ophelia, IV.v.47-48
 How came he dead? I’ll not be juggled with./To
hell allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil!
Conscience and grace, to the profoundest pit! I
dare damnation.” –Laertes, IV.v.148-151

“There’s fennel for you, and columbines.
There’s rue for you, and here’s some for
me.” –Ophelia, IV.v.204-205
“Revenge should have no bounds…requite him
for your father.” –Claudius, IV.vii.146,158
“I will do ‘t/And for that purpose I’ll annoint
my sword/I bought an unction of
mountebank…” –Laertes, IV.vii.159-161
 Pun:

“At supper. Not where he eats, but where he
is eaten.”
 Metaphor:
“Take you me for a sponge, my lord?”
 “Ay, sir, that soaks up the king’s
countenance, his rewards, his authorities.”

 Hamlet’s

4th soliloquy:
“O, from this time forth,/My thoughts be
bloody or be nothing worth.”
 Character
Foils:
Hamlet/Fortinbras
 Hamlet/Laertes
