Summary Horatio receives letters from a sailor sent by Hamlet. The first letter tells Horatio that pirates beset the ship on which Hamlet was being carried to England. In the ensuing battle, the pirates took Hamlet captive; they treated him well and brought him back to Denmark. He has, in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 6Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 5
Summary A court gentleman reports that Ophelia has become pitiably insane. Gertrude refuses to see the girl, but Horatio points out that Ophelia’s mental state may attract undue attention to herself and the crown. Gertrude then agrees to speak with Ophelia. Ophelia enters singing fragments of songs about chaos, death, […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 5Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 4
Summary On his way to England, Hamlet observes Fortinbras leading his troops through Denmark toward Poland. He questions a captain and learns that the Norwegians plan to wage war over a worthless patch of land in Poland. Hamlet lingers behind Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to reflect on the fact that these […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 3
Summary In a public show of concern, Claudius explains to his assembled courtiers that he cannot jail his nephew because Hamlet remains too popular with the people. A riot would inevitably occur if he punished Hamlet for his part in Polonius’ death, so instead he will send the young man […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2
Summary When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern finally find the Prince and ask him for Polonius, he bewilders them with answers that seem to be riddles. He tells them that sharing information with mere sponges and parasites of the court is beneath him, the son of a king. Analysis Hamlet finally reveals […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1
Summary Claudius, flanked by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, finds Gertrude and questions her as to Hamlet’s whereabouts. She asks to be left alone with the King and, after Rosencrantz and Guildenstern leave, she agitatedly tells him that she has seen a horror. Claudius wants to know what happened and asks after […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 1Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 4
Summary As promised, Polonius arrives in Gertrude’s room before Hamlet and hides himself behind an arras. He instructs Gertrude to be entirely blunt with her son. Hamlet enters challenging, “Now, Mother, what’s the matter?” Gertrude tells him he has badly offended his father, meaning Claudius; Hamlet answers that she has […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 4Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 3
Summary Fearing that Hamlet is a threat to his life and throne, the King summons Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and instructs them to hurry and take Hamlet to England. The men agree, acknowledging that any threat to Claudius is a threat to the people of Denmark, so they will keep Denmark […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 3Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 2
Summary Hamlet meets with the actors and instructs them as to the nature of proper acting. He tells them not to overact, and not to use large gestures. He wishes them to be honest; he asks them to mirror nature, to be entirely realistic in their portrayals. Polonius enters and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 2Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 1
Summary The King and Queen enter with Rosencrantz, Guildenstern, Polonius, Ophelia, and members of the court. Claudius questions Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about Hamlet’s madness, asking if they have found a reason for Hamlet’s behavior. Rosencrantz answers that the Prince has admitted to being distracted but will not say from what. […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Act III: Scene 1