Hamlet ACT 4 Study Guide



Hamlet ACT 4 Study Guide

Scene 1

1. What is the “bloody deed” Claudius refers to?

2. What does Claudius worry the public will say about Hamlet murdering Polonius?

Scene 2

1. Explain the sponge metaphor.

2. Explain Hamlet’s line: “The body is with the king, but the king is not with the body.” Hint: In Renaissance times, royal figures are considered the “head” of the “body” or kingdom.

Scene 3

1. Claudius does not want to punish Hamlet. Why?

2. What is Hamlet’s response when questioned by Claudius about Polonius’s body?

3. Give proof that Claudius has ordered Hamlet’s death.

Scene 4

1. What reason does Hamlet give for men to fight?

Scene 5

1. Describe Ophelia behavior. What do the other characters say about her?

2. Why is Laertes returning from France?

3. How does Claudius react/respond to Laertes? Explain the irony of Claudius’ line: “And where the’ offense is, let the great ax fall.”

Scene 6

1. What is the gist of Hamlet’s letter to Horatio?

Scene 7

1. How does Claudius motivate Laertes to fight Hamlet?

2. Who decides to poison the sword?

3. What does Gertrude reveal about Ophelia?

Hamlet ACT 4 Study Guide

Scene 1

1. What is the “bloody deed” Claudius refers to?

2. What does Claudius worry the public will say about Hamlet murdering Polonius?

Scene 2

3. Explain the sponge metaphor.

4. Explain Hamlet’s line: “The body is with the king, but the king is not with the body.” Hint: In Renaissance times, royal figures are considered the “head” of the “body” or kingdom.

Scene 3

5. Claudius does not want to punish Hamlet. Why?

6.What is Hamlet’s response when questioned by Claudius about Polonius’s body?

7. Give proof that Claudius has ordered Hamlet’s death.

Scene 4

8. What reason does Hamlet give for men to fight?

Scene 5

9. Describe Ophelia behavior. What do the other characters say about her?

10. Why is Laertes returning from France?

11. How does Claudius react/respond to Laertes? Explain the irony of Claudius’ line: “And where the’ offense is, let the great ax fall.”

Scene 6

12.What is the gist of Hamlet’s letter to Horatio?

Scene 7

13.How does Claudius motivate Laertes to fight Hamlet?

14.Who decides to poison the sword?

15. What does Gertrude reveal about Ophelia?

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