1. Shakespeare’s Act Four: Where problems spiral out of control and grow wildly more complex and difficult to overcome

2. Act Four  As a reminder, Act Three is the turning point of the play, whereas Act Four is where the characters’ fates are bound to their unavoidable outcomes.  As we look at the scenes in this act, ask yourself: In what way do each of the characters solidify their place in destiny?

3. Today’s Objectives  Analyze Shakespeare’s use of AMBIGUITY and puns and humor (SPONGES & WORMS).

4. 4.1 Analysis  QUEEN GERTRUDE Ah, my good lord, what have I seen to-night! KING CLAUDIUS What, Gertrude? How does Hamlet? QUEEN GERTRUDE Mad as the sea and wind, when both contend Which is the mightier: in his lawless fit, Behind the arras hearing something stir, Whips out his rapier, cries, 'A rat, a rat!' And, in this brainish apprehension, kills The unseen good old man. KING CLAUDIUS O heavy deed! It had been so with us, had we been there: His liberty is full of threats to all; To you yourself, to us, to every one. Alas, how shall this bloody deed be answer'd? It will be laid to us, whose providence Should have kept short, restrain'd and out of haunt, This mad young man: but so much was our love, We would not understand what was most fit; But, like the owner of a foul disease, To keep it from divulging, let it feed Even on the pith of Life. Where is he gone? Note: As a reminder, the acts and scenes follow each other without interruption; with that in mind, realize that mere moments after Hamlet drags Polonius' body off the stage, Claudius and his entourage walk on. Question: Is Queen Gertrude more concerned about Hamlet’s well- being or her own in this exchange? What leads you to this conclusion? Sentence Frame: When Claudius hears what Hamlet has done, he warns “_________.” His statement implies _________.

5. 4.1 Analysis  Let’s pause for a moment of deeper analysis:  “Polonius’s death at Hamlet’s hands foreshadows the ultimate fate of Claudius. Still, the king cannot yet know that the death of the old man occurred simultaneously with the end of his marital relationship with Gertrude. (Remember: Hamlet made his mother promise not to sleep with Claudius anymore).  This moment marks a point of no turning back for Claudius. Hamlet has succeeded in exposing the hypocrisy and evil of the court. Hamlet is now a threat to Claudius’s throne, plus he has ruined the taste of victory.  The king still has the crown, but his conscience haunts him and his wife is turning away from him” (Mategrano).

6. 4.1 Analysis  Let’s pause for a moment of deeper analysis:  These actions make Gertrude more ambiguous (Shakespeare intentionally builds in ambiguity to keep the audience’s attention).  Is she protecting her son by saying that he has gone completely mad in killing Polonius and is therefore, not responsible for his actions, or does she realize Claudius’ guilt regarding the death of King Hamlet and is protecting herself?  If she were truly wishing to protect her son, she would ask the King not to exile him with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as keepers.  Claudius is concerned about his rule being undermined and it is interesting to note this quotation ‘His (Hamlet’s) liberty is full of threats to all’. This statement clearly ties Gertrude to him. If he falls, so will she. However, he still cannot have Hamlet harmed in Denmark, and exile is the only alternative. At least now he has an excuse to punish Hamlet in that he has murdered Polonius.

7. 4.2 Analysis Puns, Puns, and more Puns HAMLET That I can keep your counsel and not mine own. Besides, to be demanded of a sponge! what replication should be made by the son of a king? ROSENCRANTZ Take you me for a sponge, my lord? HAMLET Ay, sir, that soaks up the king's countenance, his rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the king best service in the end: he keeps them, like an ape, in the corner of his jaw; first mouthed, to be last swallowed: when he needs what you have gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you shall be dry again. ROSENCRANTZ I understand you not, my lord. HAMLET I am glad of it: a knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear.  In one of the more humorous scenes in the play, Hamlet is once again spied on by his old childhood friends. Here we see that all past loyalties are over and Hamlet has nothing but contempt for his old companions.  Hamlet insults Rosencrantz by calling him a _________, which means _____________. It is significant because __________.

8. 4.3 Analysis: Worms for Everyone  KING CLAUDIUS Now, Hamlet, where's Polonius? HAMLET At supper. KING CLAUDIUS At supper! where? HAMLET Not where he eats, but where he is eaten: a certain convocation of politic worms are e'en at him. Your worm is your only emperor for diet: we fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves for maggots: your fat king and your lean beggar is but variable service, two dishes, but to one table: that's the end. KING CLAUDIUS Alas, alas! HAMLET A man may fish with the worm that hath eat of a king, and cat of the fish that hath fed of that worm. KING CLAUDIUS What dost you mean by this? HAMLET Nothing but to show you how a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar. KING CLAUDIUS Where is Polonius? HAMLET In heaven; send hither to see: if your messenger find him not there, seek him i' the other place yourself. But indeed, if you find him not within this month, you shall nose him as you go up the stairs into the lobby.

9. 4.3 Analysis: Worms for Everyone  The humorous banter between Hamlet and his rivals is carried over from the previous scene when he takes on the king.  In a sense, we can see that Hamlet is on a complete high from the course of the past two hours! He has…  Successfully trapped the king  Exposed the king’s deeds  Murdered one of the king’s most trusted allies  And turned his mother’s love for Claudius around  Aside from the obvious humor, what truths about life does Hamlet make in this scene? Why do you think Shakespeare included this scene?  Hamlet’s banter with King Claudius reveals several truths about life, including ______________ and _______________. Shakespeare likely included this scene in order to _____________________.

10. 4.3 Analysis: Worms for Everyone  Here’s a brief summation of Hamlet’s pun-laden point:  A fisherman may fish with a worm that has feasted on the body of a king, which is then eaten by a fish, which the fisherman eats. Therefore, the fisherman has in fact eaten a king, and so the king passes through the stomach of a fisherman/beggar.  Only the worm reigns supreme!  The worm, the king, and the beggar are all equal, and they will all die, and, yes, Hamlet is in fact saying that the King is a worm.

11. Today’s Objectives  Analyze Shakespeare’s insults (Are you my mommy?), pointless battles (Waterloo anyone?), and insanity (Um, Ophelia? Those aren’t really flowers, honey).

12. 4.3 Analysis: For England and other Insults  KING CLAUDIUS Hamlet, this deed, for thine especial safety,-- Which we do tender, as we dearly grieve For that which thou hast done,--must send thee hence With fiery quickness: therefore prepare thyself; The bark is ready, and the wind at help, The associates tend, and every thing is bent For England. HAMLET For England! KING CLAUDIUS Ay, Hamlet. HAMLET Good. KING CLAUDIUS So is it, if thou knew'st our purposes. HAMLET I see a cherub that sees them. But, come; for England! Farewell, dear mother. KING CLAUDIUS Thy loving father, Hamlet. HAMLET My mother: father and mother is man and wife; man and wife is one flesh; and so, my mother. Come, for England!  Again, imagine the gall that Hamlet has in this scene.  Questions: What does Claudius say to Hamlet and how does Hamlet respond? What sort of insult does Hamlet pay Claudius?

13. 4.3 Analysis: For England and other Insults  Hamlet gives a passing insult to Claudius, saying ‘farewell mother’ because a man and wife are of one flesh, and therefore Claudius is indeed Hamlet’s mother. Claudius merely wishes to be rid of Hamlet and urges Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to hurry him to England.  The audience is in no doubt now that Claudius is the total villain, but the audience may be wondering at this point if Hamlet has gone from playing mad to actually going mad.

14. 4.3 Analysis: For England and other Insults  Claudius’s Soliloquy:  And, England, if my love thou hold'st at aught-- As my great power thereof may give thee sense, Since yet thy cicatrice looks raw and red After the Danish sword, and thy free awe Pays homage to us--thou mayst not coldly set Our sovereign process; which imports at full, By letters congruing to that effect, The present death of Hamlet. Do it, England; For like the hectic in my blood he rages, And thou must cure me: till I know 'tis done, Howe'er my haps, my joys were ne'er begun.  What is revealed in Claudius’s soliloquy? Do you think he planned his decision before this point? Why or why not? (Keep in mind that only six hours at most have gone by since the mention of England even came up.)