William Shakespear

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Dr. Mohammed Fahmy Raiyah

ACT IV

ACT IV

Gertrude tells Claudius about what happened between her and her son. She says that Hamlet is very mad and that he has killed Polonius. The king tells Hamlet that he must go to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Claudius gives Rosencrantz and Guildenstern a letter for the King of England demanding that Hamlet be killed.

Ophelia seems to have gone mad. Laertes arrives and expresses his desire to avenge his father’s death. When Ophelia reenters, obviously insane, Laertes plunges again into rage. Claudius claims that he is not responsible for Polonius’s death and says that he understands Laertes’ desire for revenge.

Horatio meets sailors who give him a letter from Hamlet. In the letter, Hamlet says that his ship was captured by pirates, who have returned him to Denmark. He asks Horatio to take the sailors to the king and queen, for they have messages for them as well. The sailors give Hamlet’s message to the king. In the message, Hamlet says that he will come to the king the next day to explain his return to Denmark.

Claudius explains to Laertes that he did not punish Hamlet for the murder of Polonius because both the common people and the queen love Hamlet very much. Laertes is pleased that Hamlet has come back to Denmark so that he can take his revenge. Claudius encourages Laertes to kill Hamlet, since Hamlet’s behavior has made him a threat to Claudius’s reign. Both settle on a plan. Claudius suggests a duel between Hamlet and Laertes and Laertes will use a poisoned sword so that even a scratch from it will kill Hamlet. The king will also offer Hamlet a poisoned cup of wine to drink from.

Ophelia drowns in a pond. Laertes’ sadness and anger increase.

Ophelia drowns in a pond

BRIEF SUMMARY of ACT IV• The king sends Hamlet to England and sends

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with him, giving them orders to kill the prince.

• Ophelia becomes mad.• Hamlet returns to Denmark.• Claudius puts a plan to kill Hamlet by the

poisoned sword in a duel with Laertes.• Ophelia drowns in a pond.