claiming safe passage across Denmark. In the Quarto version of the play (see “Second Quarto Passages That Do Not Appear in the Folio”), Hamlet witnesses the march and contrasts Fortinbras’ willingness to “find quarrel in a straw” when his honor is affronted to his own inaction in the face of monstrous provocation.
ACT 4 SCENE 4
Lines 1–110: Horatio persuades Gertrude to see Ophelia, who has been sent mad by the death of her father. Ophelia is shown in and reveals a genuine, pitiful madness that contrasts with the potentially more contrived or exaggerated moments of Hamlet’s insanity. She speaks mostly in rhyme and, while her ideas are disjointed and largely nonsensical, they focus on death and sex. Ophelia leaves and Claudius sends Horatio to watch over her. He laments recent events,and comments to Gertrude that the people of Denmark are stirred up by Polonius’ death and have become “Thick and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispers.” They are interrupted by a messenger, bringing the news that Laertes has stormed Elsinore.
Lines 111–228: Laertes breaks in, demanding vengeance for his father’s death, creating parallels and contrasts with Hamlet, as Laertes also becomes a potential “revenge hero.” In contrast to Hamlet’s hesitant and thoughtful approach, Laertes is intent on action and his assertion that he will “dare damnation” shows that he has less consideration for the moral/spiritual issues raised by revenge. The king and queen explain that Claudius is not responsible for Polonius’ death and Laertes is calmer, until Ophelia returns. He is aghast at the change in his sister, who continues to sing in a distracted way and distributes flowers (possibly imaginary) such as “rosemary” for “remembrance” and “pansies” for “thoughts.” She sings a lament, and leaves. Laertes calls on the gods as Claudius tries to calm him. He promises to help Laertes get revenge, saying that “where th’offence is, let the great axe fall.”
ACT 4 SCENE 5
Sailors bring Horatio a letter from Hamlet. Hamlet explains that he was captured by pirates who have returned him to Denmark, while Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are still bound for England. He asks Horatio to see that some enclosed letters are given to Claudius and then to come to him.
ACT 4 SCENE 6
Laertes asks why Claudius did not take public action against Hamlet for Polonius’ death. Claudius persuades him that it was because both the queen and the Danish people love Hamlet and he did not wish to upset her or cause trouble. A messenger brings the letter from Hamlet, announcing that he has returned to Denmark and asking to see Claudius the next day. The king is confused, but Laertes is pleased as it means he can confront and kill Hamlet. Claudius sees a way to rid himself of Hamlet and urges Laertes to take his revenge and showthat he is his father’s son “in deed / More than in words,” again forcing a comparison with Hamlet, who generally seems more concerned with words than deeds. Claudius reminds Laertes that Hamlet has always been jealous of his abilities with a sword, and has long wished to fence with him. Claudius suggests that they tempt Hamlet into fencing with Laertes but that Laertes use an “unbated” sword rather than a blunted one. Laertes agrees and announces his intention to anoint the tip of the sword with poison. Claudius further suggests poisoning a cup of wine to give to Hamlet if he should win the duel. Gertrude interrupts with the news that Ophelia has drowned, describing how she went to a “glassy stream,” dressed in a crown of flowers, and fell in. Gertrude seems to suggest that the fall was an accident, but Ophelia sang serenely as the weight of her clothes dragged her down. Laertes leaves, distraught.
ACT 5 SCENE 1
Lines 1–207: Two rustics are digging Ophelia’s grave and discussing the fact that she is to have a Christian burial, despite appearing to have committed suicide. Their witty exchange
ACT 4 SCENE 4
Lines 1–110: Horatio persuades Gertrude to see Ophelia, who has been sent mad by the death of her father. Ophelia is shown in and reveals a genuine, pitiful madness that contrasts with the potentially more contrived or exaggerated moments of Hamlet’s insanity. She speaks mostly in rhyme and, while her ideas are disjointed and largely nonsensical, they focus on death and sex. Ophelia leaves and Claudius sends Horatio to watch over her. He laments recent events,and comments to Gertrude that the people of Denmark are stirred up by Polonius’ death and have become “Thick and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispers.” They are interrupted by a messenger, bringing the news that Laertes has stormed Elsinore.
Lines 111–228: Laertes breaks in, demanding vengeance for his father’s death, creating parallels and contrasts with Hamlet, as Laertes also becomes a potential “revenge hero.” In contrast to Hamlet’s hesitant and thoughtful approach, Laertes is intent on action and his assertion that he will “dare damnation” shows that he has less consideration for the moral/spiritual issues raised by revenge. The king and queen explain that Claudius is not responsible for Polonius’ death and Laertes is calmer, until Ophelia returns. He is aghast at the change in his sister, who continues to sing in a distracted way and distributes flowers (possibly imaginary) such as “rosemary” for “remembrance” and “pansies” for “thoughts.” She sings a lament, and leaves. Laertes calls on the gods as Claudius tries to calm him. He promises to help Laertes get revenge, saying that “where th’offence is, let the great axe fall.”
ACT 4 SCENE 5
Sailors bring Horatio a letter from Hamlet. Hamlet explains that he was captured by pirates who have returned him to Denmark, while Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are still bound for England. He asks Horatio to see that some enclosed letters are given to Claudius and then to come to him.
ACT 4 SCENE 6
Laertes asks why Claudius did not take public action against Hamlet for Polonius’ death. Claudius persuades him that it was because both the queen and the Danish people love Hamlet and he did not wish to upset her or cause trouble. A messenger brings the letter from Hamlet, announcing that he has returned to Denmark and asking to see Claudius the next day. The king is confused, but Laertes is pleased as it means he can confront and kill Hamlet. Claudius sees a way to rid himself of Hamlet and urges Laertes to take his revenge and showthat he is his father’s son “in deed / More than in words,” again forcing a comparison with Hamlet, who generally seems more concerned with words than deeds. Claudius reminds Laertes that Hamlet has always been jealous of his abilities with a sword, and has long wished to fence with him. Claudius suggests that they tempt Hamlet into fencing with Laertes but that Laertes use an “unbated” sword rather than a blunted one. Laertes agrees and announces his intention to anoint the tip of the sword with poison. Claudius further suggests poisoning a cup of wine to give to Hamlet if he should win the duel. Gertrude interrupts with the news that Ophelia has drowned, describing how she went to a “glassy stream,” dressed in a crown of flowers, and fell in. Gertrude seems to suggest that the fall was an accident, but Ophelia sang serenely as the weight of her clothes dragged her down. Laertes leaves, distraught.
ACT 5 SCENE 1
Lines 1–207: Two rustics are digging Ophelia’s grave and discussing the fact that she is to have a Christian burial, despite appearing to have committed suicide. Their witty exchange
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