What happened in Scene 4 of Hamlet?
Gertrude informs Claudius of Polonius’s death and Claudius realises that it could have been him if he had been there (L13). Claudius is more fearful that he will be blamed for Hamlets actions rather than showing emotion at the death of Polonius (L16-18).
What is Hamlet hiding in Act 4?
Now, Hamlet hides the body. But rather than being overwhelmed with contrition, as we might expect of a hero who has committed such a terrible mistake, he seems manic, desperate, and self-righteous, especially in his condemnation of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
What does Hamlet’s last soliloquy mean?
By the end of the soliloquy, Hamlet brings to a halt his solemn contemplation on the immoral act of murderous revenge, and finally accepts it as his necessary duty. Now, Hamlet commends the idea of the “imminent death of twenty thousand men” for a ludicrous “fantasy and trick of fame” (63-4).
What has happened to the relationship of Hamlet and Ophelia in Act 4?
Reasonably enough then, Ophelia is driven to madness, and it is a madness, incidentally, all the more acute and tragic because it is in stark contrast to the feigned madness and self-indulgence of Hamlet. In act 4, scene 5, Ophelia’s madness seems to have taken her over completely.
Is Hamlet really mad in Act 4?
Despite the evidence that Hamlet actually is mad, we also see substantial evidence that he is just pretending. Hamlet tells Horatio and Marcellus that he plans to “put an antic disposition on” (I.v). His “mad” remarks to Polonius—“you are a fishmonger” (II.
What happens in Act IV Scene 4 of Hamlet?
Summary and Analysis Act IV: Scene 4. 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.
What happens to Fortinbras at the end of Hamlet?
The captain travels on and Fortinbras and the rest of the army exit. The captain meets with Hamlet, who is being conveyed by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to the ship to England. Hamlet asks the captain about his army and his purpose in going to Poland.
What does hamlet tell Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Act 4?
Hamlet, Rosencrantz, and Guildenstern encounter the Captain as they leave the castle for their ship. When Hamlet asks what Fortinbras is trying to accomplish with his army, the Captain replies that Fortinbras is going to war over a worthless piece of Polish land. Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to ride ahead.
What is the basic position of Hamlet in Hamlet?
Analysis. The basic position of Hamlet is one of befuddlement that these soldiers can go off to their deaths over a patch of worthless ground while he, who has every reason to rage and war and battle Claudius, is introspective and melancholy, and chokes off his action with excessive contemplation.