Act Four

Hamlet Act 4 Study Questions

SCENE THREE

1. Explain the worm metaphor. What does Hamlet’s explanation of Polonius’ situation suggest about Hamlet’s state of mind?
2. What is the purpose of the sealed letters?

SCENE FOUR

             3.      When Hamlet compares himself to Fortinbras’ men, what does he realize?

SCENE FIVE

           4.      How has Polonius’ death affected Ophelia?

5. How does Hamlet’s desire for revenge differ from Laertes’?

SCENE SIX

          6.      How does Hamlet escape the boat bound for England?

SCENE SEVEN

            7.      Explain Claudius’ plan for Hamlet’s eventual death.

8. Describe the conditions surrounding Ophelia’s death. What do they suggest about her? Would you argue that she actually killed herself? Use a quote somewhere in your response.

QUEEN GERTRUDE:

There is a willow grows aslant a brook,

That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream;

There with fantastic garlands did she come

Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples

That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,

But our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them:

There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds

Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke;

When down her weedy trophies and herself

Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide;

And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up:

Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes;

As one incapable of her own distress,

Or like a creature native and indued

Unto that element: but long it could not be

Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,

Pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay

To muddy death.

(IV. vii. 190-208)