Act 4 Scene 1:
After the conversation with Hamlet, Gertrude hurries to Claudius, who is talking with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. She asks to speak alone, so both of hamlets friends leave. When both Rosencrantz and Guildenstern exit she tells Claudius about the encounter that she had with Hamlet. She says that he is as mad as a sea in a storm, and that in a rage He pulled out a sword and stabbed Polonius when he heard a sound behind a curtain. The king says that if he had been in Polonius’ place he would have been killed by Hamlet. Claudius wonders out aloud about how he is going to deal with this crisis, without damaging his reign over Denmark (or his popularity) . Claudius asks where hamlet is, the queen replies saying that he is hiding the dead body of Polonius. He then tells Gertrude that they have to send Hamlet to England and soon as they can and to find a way to excuse hamlets murder. Claudius then calls Gildenstern and Rosencrantz back in, he tells them that Hamlet has killed Polonius and send them to find hamlet.
Act 4 Scene 2:
Somewhere else in the castle Hamlet has just finished disposing the body. He says it is “safely stowed”. Rosencrantz and Guildernstern enter, they begin to interrogate Hamlet, asking him where the body is hidden. He calls Rosencrantz a sponge, this means he is soaking up the kings favours, but when the king is done with him that he will be squeezed. Hamlet refuses to give any straight answers. One answer he gives is ” the body is with the king, but the king is not with the body. The king is a thing.” Hamlet also accuses his friends of being spies for Claudius. He then leaves with his two “friends” to go to the king.
Act 4 Scene 3:
The king is speaking with a group of attendants, he tells them of Polonius’ death and his intention of sending Hamlet to England. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter with Hamlet under guard. Claudius asks Hamlet where the body is. Hamlet then goes into his mad mode and says that Polonius is being eaten by worms and that the king should send a messenger to seek him in heaven or to search for Polonius in hell himself. Hamlet finally reveals that Polonius is under the stairs near the castle lobby and says that they’ll be sure to smell him within a month. The king dispatches attendants to go there. The king then tells Hamlet that he has to leave for England for his own protection, Hamlet agrees to this. Once hamlet exits claudius states that he has sent orders with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. These orders are say for hamlet to be killed.
Act 4 Scene 4:
Nearby in Denmark, the young Fortinbras marches at the front of his army who are making their way to attack Poland and gain land. The young Fortinbras orders his captain to go over and ask the king of Denmark for permission to pass through Denmark. On his way the captain encounters Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who are on their way to get on he ship that is headed for England. He informs them that the Norwegian army is on the way to fight the Polish. Hamlet asks whether they are attacking the heartland or a frontier. The captain tells hamlet that the place that they are attacking isn’t really worth anything and that h himself would not pay five ducats for it, he also points out the fact that it doesn’t profit either country. Hamlet talks to himself and laughs that people are prepared to fight a war over something so insignificant. He then talks to himself, saying that he is failing to act towards his purpose. Disgusted by this he states that form this point he will be more determined to achieve his goal.
Act 4 Scene 5:
Gertrude and Horatio start off the scene by discussing Ophelia. Gertrude does not want to see her, but Horatio says that she should speak with Ophelia and that he should be pitied because the grief has mad her disordered, Ophelia then enters singing or talking to herself and covered in flowers, Ophelia has gone mad. Claudius enters and hears Ophelia saying things like “White his shroud as the mountain snow” and “Covered with sweet flowers Which did not fall to the ground In true-love showers.” Claudius says that this madness has come form her fathers death, and also adds that other people have been suspicious about his death, some people even complained that Polonius did not receive a state funeral. He also mentions that Laertes has been secretly sent back to France.
A noise comes from somewhere in the castle. Claudius calls for his bodyguards, a messenger enters warning him that Laertes is leading a rebellion against Claudius. The people in the mob are calling him lord and want him to be the king. Another sound is made, the doors smash open. Laertes enters and his followers do for a brief amount of time. The angry Laertes wants to avenge his father, Claudius tries to calm him down by acknowledging that Polonius has died. Gertrude adds that Claudius is innocent and didn’t kill Polonius. Ophelia enters, insane, this put Laertes back into a rage. Claudius then claims that he is not responsible for Polonius’ death and that the revenge is a credit to him as long as he kills the right person, he then convinces Laertes to listen to his version of the events and if the person says that the king is directly or indirectly involved that he will his crown his life and everything that h owns to him., but if he is innocent he will have to work to satisfy Laertes need for revenge. Laertes agrees and claudius backs Laertes desire to achieve justice.
React!