Hamlet Study Guide Act Four Levels 2 & 3

Act Four, Scene One

66. What does Gertrude tell Claudius?

She tells him that Hamlet has killed Polonius.

Act Four, Scene Two 67. Who has gone to find Polonius’ body?

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Act Four, Scene Three 66. Where does Hamlet say Polonius is? He says several different things including at dinner where he is being eaten and in heaven.

67. Hamlet is leaving to go where? Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are escorting him to England.

68. What does Claudius send with him? Sealed letters that ask England to execute Hamlet.

Act Four, Scene Four 69. Where is Fortinbras’ army headed? They are on their way to attack Poland for a piece of land that is not worth very much.

70. Who does Hamlet meet? A Captain in Fortinbras’ army.

71. How does this meeting affect him? He becomes inspired when he sees the lengths Fortinbras will go to avenge his father.

Act Four, Scene Five 72. What is wrong with Ophelia? What has caused this? She has gone crazy; Hamlet has murdered her father. There is also an interpretation that she may be pregnant with Hamlet’s child.

73. Who returns to Denmark? Why is he angry? Laertes returns; he is upset about his father’s murder and sister’s madness. He is also upset about the fact that his father was not given a stately funeral.

74. Why is Claudius worried? Claudius is worried that if he kills Hamlet openly the people will turn against him because Hamlet is so popular.

75. What does Ophelia think she is giving everyone? She believes that she is giving everyone flowers.

Act Four, Scene Six 76. What is delivered to Horatio? A letter from Hamlet saying that his ship was attacked by pirates and he is on his way home.

77. What has happened to Hamlet? He made a deal with the pirates that attacked his ship and he has gotten away from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Act Four, Scene Seven 78. What are the two reasons Claudius will not execute Hamlet? The people love him and he does not want to upset Gertrude.

79. What is brought to Claudius? A letter from Hamlet saying he is on his way home

80. What plan do Laertes and Claudius come up with for Hamlet? They are going to have Hamlet and Laertes fence, but they will give Laertes a sharpend foil (sword).

81. What is their back up plan? Laertes will poison the sword so that he only has to scratch Hamlet to kill him. Claudius will drop a poisoned pearl into Hamlet’s drink.

82. What has happened to Ophelia? She has drowned.