Hamlet Act IV, i

Claudius, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern hear Gertrude crying/sighing and go to see what is the matter with her. Gertrude asks Rosencrantz & Guildenstern to leave so she and Claudius can be alone. Claudius then asks about Hamlet.

Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet is mad. “Mad as the sea and wind when both contend/Which is mightier!” IV, i, 7-8 (page 192)

Gertrude explains to Claudius that in a fit of madness Hamlet murdered Polonius.

Claudius to Gertrude “It had been so with us, had we been there./His liberty is full of threats to all,/To you yourself, to us, to everyone.” IV, i, 13-15 (page 192

Claudius says that Hamlet would have killed anyone who was hiding behind the tapestry at that time. Claudius says that he and Gertrude will be held responsible for this since they knew Hamlet was acting crazy and hadn’t done anything about it. Claudius tells Gertrude that Hamlet will be sent away.

Claudius calls Rosencrantz & Guildenstern back into the room and tells them that Hamlet has murdered Polonius Claudius wants to know where Hamlet is and Gertrude says he has taken the body somewhere.

Claudius tells Gertrude that he will call a council meeting to tell of what Hamlet has done and to dispel any gossip or slanderous rumors that he and Gertrude might be a target for.

It is important to note that the only aspect of Polonius’ death that Claudius is worried about is that he or Gertrude might be blamed for it. He makes no mention of how their father’s death will affect Ophelia or Laertes

IV, ii

Hamlet hides Polonius’ body and will not tell Rosencrantz & Guildenstern where it is. Hamlet is again hiding behind his façade of madness. At this point there is little strategic benefit to be gained from the mask of madness, since it may be hard to deceive Claudius about his motives.

Hamlet gets digs in at Rosencrantz & Guildenstern when he calls them “sponges” just doing everything that the king is telling them to do. Hamlet runs from them as if playing hide and seek and tells them to bring him to the king.

IV, iii

Claudius acts as a practical man, seeking a pragmatic solution to his problems. He says that Hamlet must be restrained, but they have to do this carefully because the people of Denmark love Hamlet.

Claudius is going to make it seem to the people like this trip to England was planned for awhile. Rosencrantz & Guildenstern say they have caught Hamlet but he will not disclose where Polonius’ body is. Hamlet is led in and questioned by Claudius.

Claudius has to ask Hamlet several times where Polonius is. Hamlet has several answers. He eventually tells Claudius that Polonius’ body is in the lobby.

Claudius says everything is ready for Hamlet’s departure for England. Claudius says that Hamlet has to go right away. Hamlet replies by saying “Good”.

When Hamlet leaves and Claudius is left alone, he discloses his own pragmatic solution: once abroad, Hamlet will be killed by the King of England. He requested this in a letter.

IV, iv

Fortinbras is leading his men through Denmark into battle against Poland. This is the first physical introduction of Fortinbras. The Captain tells Hamlet that Fortinbras is going after Poland to gain a small patch of land that is worth nothing.

In Hamlet’s final soliloquy he expresses shame because Prince Fortinbras can fight for honor over something small, like a useless piece of land, but Hamlet cannot kill Claudius to avenge the murder of his father.

Fortinbras is a man of action, and Hamlet acknowledges this superiority. Hamlet berates himself for his own failure to take action against Claudius.

Fortinbras has seized control of events in his life, while Hamlet is pulled one way or another by accidents of fortune and the will of others.

Hamlet is ashamed to see Fortinbras head an army in a cause not really worthy, while he, has taken no action against a greater wrong.

Hamlet vows to achieve the revenge which has motivated him. “O, from this time forth,/My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!” IV, iv, 67-68 (page 208)

IV, v

Horatio and the Gentlemen plead with Gertrude to speak to Ophelia who has become distracted and irrational. At first, Gertrude refuses to do so; she finally reluctantly agrees to see her.

Ophelia has really gone mad Ophelia has really gone mad. The cause of her madness can be linked to two things: Hamlet’s betrayal of her and her lover murdering her father. With all of Polonius’ faults and the bad way he treated his daughter, he was still loved by his daughter.

Ophelia’s only communication is through folk songs. Claudius orders Horatio and the Gentleman to keep a close watch on her.

Unlike Hamlet’s antic disposition this is true madness. Hamlet’s madness is sometimes silly and funny; Ophelia’s madness is a cause for concern and pity.

Her bawdy and racy songs hint that Hamlet and she did have an intimate relationship. Laertes has invaded the palace with a mob and overpowered the royal guard. Laertes is accusing Claudius of Polonius’ murder. People are shouting to make Laertes their king.

Laertes attacks Claudius and demands to know what happened to Polonius. Gertrude is quick to defend Claudius and tell Laertes that Claudius in not the cause of Polonius’ death.

This is an example of Laertes as a man of action. He vows revenge as Hamlet has sworn to do, but he seems more likely to act upon it.

Claudius tells Laertes that he didn’t murder Polonius. Laertes sees Ophelia mad. When she sees Laertes she doesn’t recognize him. This is more fuel for Laertes’ revenge. Laertes is highly upset by Ophelia’s state of mind.

Claudius tells Laertes he will tell him about Polonius’ death.

IV, vi

Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet that says pirates have captured Hamlet and let the others sail to England. Pirates have treated Hamlet well

The letter states that the servant also has a letter for Claudius. Hamlet has news about Rosencrantz & Guildenstern.

Horatio leaves to find Hamlet. This is an interim scene meant to raise interest in what will happen next with Rosencrantz & Guildenstern and Hamlet.

IV, vii

Claudius tells Laertes that Hamlet killed Polonius Laertes asks Claudius why Hamlet has not been punished.

There has been no punishment for 2 reasons: Gertrude—Claudius cannot disappoint her or make her sad by punishing her son The public loves Hamlet and Claudius feels that if he punishes Hamlet the public will attack Claudius.

As Claudius is telling Laertes how much he loved Polonius a messenger enters with a letter to Claudius from Hamlet. The letter states that Hamlet will be coming home, alone, soon.

Claudius asks Laertes if he will be ruled. Meaning if Claudius makes it seem as if Hamlet’s death were an accident and no one could be blamed, would Laertes kill Hamlet.

Laertes “My lord, I will be ruled;/The rather, if you could devise it so/That I might be the organ.” IV, vii, 74-76 (page 234) Another reference to being played

Claudius comes up with Plan A: Laertes will challenge Hamlet to a fencing match.

Both Hamlet and Laertes are good fencers, Laertes being the better of the two. Hamlet has been envious of Laertes’ fencing abilities since the best fencer from Normandy commented on Laertes’ ability.

Claudius knows Hamlet’s ego could not turn down the chance to duel with Laertes. Laertes will pick the sharp foil and since Hamlet is so generous he will not ask to inspect the foil.

Laertes says that he will poison the tip of the sword so that even if Hamlet gets scratched with the sword he will die. Claudius manipulates Laertes into doing this by bringing up Polonius and asking Laertes if he truly loved his father.

Plan B if Plan A fails: Claudius will poison the wine. Hamlet might like a drink after fighting and Claudius will prepare for him poisoned wine.

These arrangements make Hamlet’s death inevitable. Gertrude enters the room with news of Ophelia’s drowning.

Ophelia was sitting on a branch of a willow tree hanging flowers when the branch broke. She fell into the water and let of the weight of her clothing drag her underwater. She does nothing to save herself.

Is this really suicide?

The news of Ophelia’s death fuels Laertes desire for revenge against Hamlet.

Laertes about Ophelia “Too much of water hast thou,poor Ophelia,/And therefore I forbid my tears.” IV, vii, 204-5 (page 242)