Hamlet Act 4 Summary

Act 2.1 Character List Gertrude Claudius

Scene 1 Details Gertrude tells Claudius about her encounter with Hamlet; she says that Hamlet is crazy & has killed Polonius. Claudius notes Hamlet could have killed him. Claudius tells Gertrude that they must ship Hamlet to England & find a way to explain Hamlet’s actions to the court & people. He calls Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, tells them about the murder, & sends them to find Hamlet.

Act 4.2 Character List Hamlet Rosencrantz Guildenstern

Scene 2 Details Hamlet hides Polonius’ body Rosencrantz and Guildenstern show up and ask Hamlet what he has done with the body. Hamlet refuses to give them a straight answer.

Act 4.3 Character List Claudius Hamlet Rosencrantz Guildenstern

Scene 3 Details Hamlet is forced to reveal the location of Polonius’s body. The king tells Hamlet that he must leave at once for England, & Hamlet enthusiastically agrees. Claudius sends Rosencrantz & Guildenstern to make sure Hamlet boards the ship.

Scene 3 Details Alone, Claudius hopes England will obey the sealed orders he has sent with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. The orders call for Prince Hamlet to be put to death.

Act 4.4 Character List Fortinbras Captain Hamlet

Scene 4 Details Prince Fortinbras is on his way to attack Poland, orders captain to ask for permission to travel through Denmark. The captain encounters Hamlet; Hamlet asks about the basis of the conflict, and the man tells him that the armies will fight over “a little patch of land / That hath in it no profit but the name” (IV.iv.98–99).

Scene 4 Details Hamlet marvels that human beings are able to act so violently and purposefully for so little gain. Disgusted with himself for having failed to gain his revenge on Claudius, Hamlet declares that from this moment on, his thoughts will be bloody.

Act 4.5 Character List Gertrude Ophelia Claudius Horatio Messenger Laertes

Scene 5 Details Gertrude & Horatio discuss Ophelia who has gone crazy with grief. Gertrude doesn’t want to see Ophelia, but agrees to. Ophelia enters and sings strange songs. Claudius says that Ophelia’s grief stems from her father’s death & Laertes leaving for France. Laertes returns from France with a mob of commoners. Laertes furiously storms into the hall wanting to avenge his father’s death.

Scene 5 Details Claudius attempts to calm Laertes & Gertrude defends Claudius Ophelia reenters & Laertes is enraged about his sister’s state. Claudius says that Laertes’ desire for revenge is a credit to him, so long as he seeks revenge upon the proper person. Claudius wants to tell Laertes his version of events & encourages Laertes revenge on Polonius’ killer: “Where th’ offence is, let the great axe fall” (IV.v.213).

Act 4.6 Character List Horatio Sailors

Scene 6 Details Sailors deliver a letter to Horatio from Hamlet. Hamlet says that his ship was captured by pirates, who have returned him to Denmark & he has news about Rosencrantz & Guildenstern. Horatio takes the sailors to the king to deliver a message & then follows them to find Hamlet.

Act 4.7 Character List Claudius Laertes Gertrude

Scene 7 Details Claudius & Laertes are discussing Polonius’ death when a messenger gives them news of Hamlet’s return. Claudius & Laertes plan how to kill Hamlet: poisoned tip sword or a poisoned cup of wine as backup Gertrude announces that Ophelia has committed suicide by drowning Laertes is overcome with grief & leaves; Claudius tells Gertrude that he is afraid Laertes’ rage will be reawakened with this news & difficult to control.