Hamlet

1. Hamlet Act Four

2. Scene One • Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet killed Polonius • Claudius, Gertrude, and their advisors will figure out a way to tell the public about Polonius’ death without making Hamlet look like an enemy • Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are sent to convince Hamlet to bring Polonius’ body to the chapel before they all leave for England

3. Scene Two • Hamlet doesn’t tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern where he put Polonius’ body • Hamlet calls Rosencrantz a sponge because he is used by Claudius to soak up information and tell Claudius everything he knows • “you shall be dry again,” – Hamlet foreshadowing Rosencrantz’s death

4. Scene Two Continued • “The body is with the king, but the king is not with the body. The king is a thing-” Hamlet • Body could mean either Polonius or King Hamlet • King could mean either King Claudius or King Hamlet • Hamlet may be avoiding responsibility for his actions, threatening Claudius, or speaking generally about what happens when people die.

5. Scene Three • Claudius also cannot get Hamlet to tell him where Polonius’ body is, but he does hint at its location • Hamlet’s speech is not making sense • Hamlet is sent to England • Claudius has asked the king of England to kill Hamlet as soon as he arrives there

6. Scene Four • Fortinbras enters with his army to ask Claudius’ permission to pass through Demark to Poland • One of the captains tells Hamlet they are planning to fight for a small piece of land that isn’t worth much, but that the Polish army is already stationed to defend it • Hamlet says, “This is th’ impostume of much wealth and peace, that inward breaks and shows no cause without why the man dies.” • Too much peace and money are not good for a country

7. Scene Four Continued • Hamlet feels that Fortinbras’ willingness to fight for something is yet another reason he should have gotten his revenge by now • Hamlet says, “ Oh, from this time forth, my thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” • Hamlet will now only think about and act on violent thoughts

8. Scene Five • Ophelia has seemingly gone insane since her father died • She is desperately trying to see Gertrude to talk to her, but Gertrude is hesitant because she feels guilty because of her role in Polonius’ death • Ophelia is described as insane and she sings a song about love and virginity

9. Scene Five Continued • People in Denmark are talking about Polonius’ death because Claudius buried him quickly without the proper state funeral • Laertes has secretly returned from France and there are rumors that Claudius is responsible for Polonius’ death • People storm the castle chanting “ Laertes shall be king! Laertes king!”

10. Scene Five Continued • Laertes confronts Clauidus • Laertes as Hamlet’s counterpart – he calls himself a bastard since his father’s murderer is still living while Hamlet still has not acted in revenge • Ophelia’s madness further encourages Laertes to get revenge for his father • Laertes to agrees to hear Claudius’ side of the story

11. Scene Six • A sailor finds Horatio with a letter from Hamlet • A pirate ship attacked the ship Hamlet was taking to England and somehow Hamlet ended up on board with the pirates as the only prisoner • Hamlet is back in Denmark and the sailors will show Horatio where to find him because he has a lot to tell him about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

12. Scene Seven • Claudius tells Laertes the truth about Polonius’ death and gives two reasons why more was not done to punish Hamlet • 1. Gertrude loves her son and Claudius does not want to hurt Gertrude • 2. The public loves Hamlet and would twist anything bad Claudius says about him into something good and they would only hate Claudius instead

13. Scene Seven Continued • Hamlet’s letter tells Claudius that he is back in Denmark and wants to see him tomorrow • Claudius promises Laertes that Hamlet will be killed and it will be in a way that leaves both of them innocent