Act 4 Scene 1
Claudius expects to receive news about his plan but his Queen Gertrude comes to inform him of Hamlets killing of Polonius much to the King’s surprise. King Claudius tries to devise a plan to make sure Hamlets wrong deed is not linked back to him and tells the Queen that they must send Hamlet to England. Following this, the King sends Rozencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet.
Act 4 Scene 2
Hamlet has secretly hidden the body of Polonius. When Rozencrantz and Guildenstern come to investigate and ask Hamlet where the body is, he doesn’t give them a straight answer, instead calling them spies in service of the King he later allows them to take him to the King.
Act 4 Scene 3
The King informs a group of attendants that Hamlet killed Polonius and that he must be sent to England. Rozencrantz and Guildenstern arrive with Hamlet when the King asks him where Polonius’ body is. He later discloses the location of the body to the King. Claudius informs Hamlet that he must go to England at once and Rozencrantz and Guildenstern should follow him. Then Claudius alone says that his plan for Hamlet to be killed in England has been set into action.
Act 4 Scene 4
The Prince Fortinbras marches his army through Denmark and sends his Captain to inform the King of their request to pass through Denmark. On the way he sees Hamlet who is on his way to England. He informs them of the Journey that they are going on and the land they are after Hamlet then ponders on his inactivity in comparison to the Prince Fortinbras.
Act 4 Scene 5
The Queen and Horatio talk about Ophelia. the Queen doesn’t want to see her but obliges, Ophelia enters grief ridden has sent her into madness speaking in song. She also starts stating that Laertes will replace the King then leaves. Laertes comes with a mob to come kill the King with Laertes accusing the King of killing his father. The King though he doesn’t give up hamlet he assures Laertes that they will find the culprit of his fathers death.
Act 4 Scene 6
Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet telling him that he has been Kidnapped by pirates and is on his way back to England even though they didn’t take anyone else on the boat and Rozencrantz and Guildenstern are still on their way to England. He tells Horatio that the other letters are for the King and when he is done delivering them he should meet with Horatio immediately he has news to share.
Act 4 Scene 7
The King confirms that Hamlet killed Polonius and is attempting to Kill him as well while Laertes questions why the King hasn’t had Hamlet killed for his crimes.The King explains he has stopped himself even though he has no intention of letting Hamlet live then, the letters from Hamlet arrive informing the King of Hamlets return to Denmark. The King and Laertes plot to kill Hamlet in a friendly duel were Hamlets sword will be blunt and Laertes will be sharp in addition, they will dip Laertes sword in poison just in case and finally, they will pour poison in Hamlet’s wine in case Laertes does not succeed.
Queen Gertrude enters to inform them of Ophelia’s death by drowning she goes into graphic detail about the events that unfolded which pushes Laertes grief over the limit and he barges out of the room swiftly followed by Claudius and Gertrude.
React!