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- After some morbidly humorous replies, Hamlet reveals that he hid Polonius “up the stairs into the lobby.” The king sends attendants to find the body. Claudius then tells Hamlet that he is to depart immediately for England, as planned. Hamlet mockingly departs, leaving Claudius to reflect on his plans for Hamlet.
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What happens in Act 4 of Hamlet?
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Why does Claudius ask Gertrude to explain Hamlet's death?
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Throughout Act IV, scene ii, as in the play-within-a-play scene (Act III, scene ii), Hamlet’s biting, ironic wit is combined with his rash, impulsive streak, and his feigned madness seems very close to the real thing.
Hamlet replies that it is with the king, though “the king is not with the body.”. He hurries out of the hall, bidding Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to try to catch him. Hamlet has nothing but contempt for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and continues to taunt and mock them for doing the king’s bidding so blindly.
Claudius asks Horatio to follow Ophelia and keep an eye on her. After Horatio leaves, Claudius tells Gertrude that Ophelia has fallen victim to the “poison of deep grief” in the wake of her father’s death and Hamlet’s departure for England. Grief is seen as a “poison” in Denmark.
Hamlet Summary and Analysis of Act 4. Summary. Scene 1. Immediately after Hamlet exits, dragging Polonius ’ body, we see Claudius asking Gertrude to explain what has happened. She tells him of Hamlet’s accidental killing of Polonius and Claudius realizes that he could have just as easily been slain.
Key Ideas in Act 4, Scene 5 - Ophelia the Victim. There is no doubt that Ophelia has suffered a traumatic mental breakdown after the violent death of her father and at the hands of her former sweetheart, Hamlet.
Claudius says that he is concerned for Hamlet ’s “safety,” and so has decided to send him away to England. Hamlet bids Claudius farewell, calling him “dear mother.”. When Claudius tells Hamlet that he is his father, Hamlet insists that in marrying his mother, Claudius joined his flesh with hers.
Act IV, Scene 7: Claudius and Laertes enter, discussing Polonius’s death. Laertes now agrees that Claudius is not at fault but wonders why he did not openly punish Hamlet. Claudius explains...
