Summary of act IV of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

1. William
Shakespeare
ACT IV
Dr. Mohammed Fahmy Raiyah

2. ACT IV

3. Gertrude tells Claudius about what happened
between her and her son. She says that Hamlet is
very mad and that he has killed Polonius. The king
tells Hamlet that he must go to England with
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Claudius gives
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern a letter for the King of
England demanding that Hamlet be killed.
Ophelia seems to have gone mad. Laertes arrives
and expresses his desire to avenge his father’s death.
When Ophelia reenters, obviously insane, Laertes
plunges again into rage. Claudius claims that he is
not responsible for Polonius’s death and says that he
understands Laertes’ desire for revenge.

4. Horatio meets sailors who give him a letter
from Hamlet. In the letter, Hamlet says that his
ship was captured by pirates, who have returned
him to Denmark. He asks Horatio to take the
sailors to the king and queen, for they have
messages for them as well. The sailors give
Hamlet’s message to the king. In the message,
Hamlet says that he will come to the king the next
day to explain his return to Denmark.

5. Claudius explains to Laertes that he did not
punish Hamlet for the murder of Polonius
because both the common people and the queen
love Hamlet very much. Laertes is pleased that
Hamlet has come back to Denmark so that he can
take his revenge. Claudius encourages Laertes to
kill Hamlet, since Hamlet’s behavior has made
him a threat to Claudius’s reign. Both settle on a
plan. Claudius suggests a duel between Hamlet
and Laertes and Laertes will use a poisoned sword
so that even a scratch from it will kill Hamlet. The
king will also offer Hamlet a poisoned cup of wine
to drink from.
Ophelia drowns in a pond. Laertes’ sadness
and anger increase.

11. Ophelia drowns in a pond

12. BRIEF SUMMARY of ACT IV
• The king sends Hamlet to England and sends
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern with him, giving
them orders to kill the prince.
• Ophelia becomes mad.
• Hamlet returns to Denmark.
• Claudius puts a plan to kill Hamlet by the
poisoned sword in a duel with Laertes.
• Ophelia drowns in a pond.