Hamlet: Act 4
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Act questions
- Question 1 · Recall
What happens to Ophelia in Scene 5 after her father's death?
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She goes mad, sings broken songs and gives out flowers.Reference: Act 4, Scene 5
- Question 2 · Recall
What does Hamlet's letter to Horatio say happened on his voyage?
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It says pirates attacked the ship and Hamlet was taken, then freed so that he could arrange a reward for them.Reference: Act 4, Scene 6
- Question 3 · Recall
What plan do Claudius and Laertes make to kill Hamlet?
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They set a fencing match, with an unblunted sword for Laertes that is poisoned, and poisoned wine as a second chance.Reference: Act 4, Scene 7
- Question 4 · Why
Why does Claudius not punish Hamlet openly for killing Polonius?
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The Queen loves Hamlet and the people of Denmark favor him.Reference: Act 4, Scene 7
- Question 5 · Why
Why does Hamlet feel shame when he sees Fortinbras's army on the road?
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Its soldiers will risk death for a worthless patch of ground, while he has done nothing about his father's murder.Reference: Act 4, Scene 4
Act summary
In Act 4, Hamlet hides Polonius's body and refuses to say where it is. Brought before Claudius, he answers with riddles about worms, and Claudius sends him to England under guard with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. On the road Hamlet sees the army of Fortinbras marching to fight in Poland, and he reproaches himself for his delay. Back at the castle, Ophelia, mad with grief, sings. Laertes returns from France with a crowd at his back and demands justice for his father. Claudius calms him and promises to explain, and Ophelia returns to sing and hand out flowers. Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet, who has escaped from the ship and is returning. Claudius shows Laertes his own letter from Hamlet, and they plan a fencing match with a poisoned blade and poisoned wine. Gertrude arrives with word that Ophelia has drowned.
Come back in a few days and try these 5 again before you open the answers.
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