1. The plot will not "thicken" anymore.
Hamlet Act IV
The Falling Action
The plot will not "thicken" anymore.
Claudius and Hamlet must resolve the problems that have reached their breaking point:
Claudius must stop Hamlet from either exposing him or killing him;
Hamlet must find a way to finish his revenge in an "appropriate" manner.
The problem is that too many people are embroiled in the plot:
Gertrude still seems torn between her son and husband.
Ophelia is shattered by her father's death and Hamlet's betrayal.
Laertes returns to Denmark, intent upon revenge.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (if you care about them) are caught between C&H's machinations and designs.

2. Act IV, Scene 1 King and Queen
Group 1
The King and Queen reconnect after Hamlet leaves her bedroom.
Gertrude asks for privacy. Does this imply that she is trying to protect her son? Why or why not?
Gertrude identifies her son to be "Mad as the sea and wind": is this disloyal? Or is this her attempt to keep up Hamlet's act?
The King's reaction to Hamlet's murder is one of self- protection:
He sees himself as a target: "It had been so with us, had we been there."
He sees his authority targeted: "It will be laid to us..."
He targets Hamlet--and his madness--as the cause for all problems.
But Claudius had previously disavowed the theory that Hamlet is mad: why encourage it now?
How does this stance become more of "the plot"?

3. Group Response

4. Act IV, Scene 2 Hamlet, Rosencrantz, Guildenstern
Group 1
A short break from the intensity of action
Hamlet's wordplay in this scene is both empowering and disturbing:
How does he toy with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
Does his mastery of language--in such a macabre situation--enhance our appreciation of his power and wit? Or are we unsettled by his "joking" so soon after the accidental murder (and in the context of finding a hidden body)?
Hamlet will not give Rosencrantz and Guildenstern a break for being "sponges."
After the "pipe" metaphor, why do you think Shakespeare chooses this image? (What is different about each image? What does each imply about broken friendship or political intrigue?)

5. Group Response

6. Act IV, Scene 3 King, Rosencrantz, Hamlet
Group 2
The King needs to confront Hamlet without causing a public outcry.
Why is the King hesitant to directly accuse and punish Hamlet?
Does this reason change our opinions of Hamlet or Claudius? Why or why not?
Hamlet challenges Claudius with more wordplay.
Does Hamlet seem to have or think he has the upperhand here? How did you decide?
In what ways is Hamlet mocking or warning Claudius when he describes the maggot eating both king and beggar? Why would he want the King to remember that the worm is "emperor" over all, and that "a king may go a progress through the guts of a beggar"?
How does the King react to Hamlet's riddles?

7. Group Response

8. Act IV, Scene 3, Claudius's secret plan
Group 2
Claudius plans to have Hamlet killed by "England" when the ship arrives because he can no longer manage Hamlet.
Consider the following:
Claudius uses language of violence when referring to England: he implies that he blackmailed or threatened England into obeying this request.
What does the King's language and tone suggest about his political dealings and reputation (especially now that we know that Hamlet is loved by the people?)
Claudius carries on the motif of disease and madness by comparing Hamlet to "the hectic in my blood."
How does this confession equalize the relationship between Hamlet and the King?
What was Shakespeare's purpose in Claudius's identifying himself as mad?

9. Group Response

10. Act IV, Scene 4 Fortinbras, Captain, Hamlet, Rosencrantz
Group 3
This scene serves two purposes: to contrast between Fortinbras and Hamlet and to establish Hamlet's new attitude.
Fortinbras is outside Elsinore, not to attack but to march through Denmark towards Poland. They will fight for a scrap of land that isn't worth much.
Hamlet questions the purpose: what do his comments reveal about his political attitudes and character as heir to the throne? Would he make a good king?
Hamlet's last soliloquy continues his questioning of life's purpose, but his tone and resolution are very different.
How does his tone differ from earlier soliloquies?
How does he answer his questions about the purpose of life (and the futility of life)?
Why does he compare himself to Fortinbras?
What does his last sentence indicate about his future actions?

11. Group Response

12. Act IV, Scene 5 Queen, Gentleman, Horatio,
Group 3
Act IV, Scene 5 Queen, Gentleman, Horatio,
Ophelia, King, Messenger, Laertes
This scene is dominated by the effects of Polonius's death (the consequence of H&C's plotting): Ophelia is mad (really, actually insane) upon her former lover's killing her husband.
There is a very good literal explanation for why she goes made, but what other figurative purpose might Shakespeare have for her decline?
Read the gentleman's description of her madness: how is it similar or different from discussions of Hamlet's "madness"?
Why is Gertrude so affected by Ophelia's change?
Reflect on the diction, language, and tone of Ophelia's madness throughout the scene (as well as the fact that most of her speech is in song). What does this reveal about the origins of her madness and the state of the Danish court?

13. Group Response

14. Act IV, Scene 5: Laertes's Return and Claudius's Response
Group 3
Laertes, more than Ophelia, is an innocent bystander to the chaos of the court.
How does the "rabble" respond to his situation?
How does the response reflect on the King and Queen?
Laertes's reaction to his father's death is in direct contrast to Hamlet's reaction to his father's death.
Select at least three passages that emphasize how different Laertes and Hamlet are in the face of their grief and their obligations to revenge. Explain the effect of the tone, language, and other stylistic devices in Laertes's speech.
Claudius must calm Laertes, but he does so in a way that is persuasive (or even manipulative).
In what ways does the King begin to "woo" Laertes's and his loyalty? Does Laertes comply or resist?

15. Group Response

16. Act IV, Scene 6 Horatio, Gentleman, Sailor
Group 4
This is pretty much a nothing scene except for two things:
Hamlet isn't on a ship towards England (he's coming home).
How did he get off?
Could this have been planned in advance?
He knows "something" important (could it be Claudius's secret plan?).
Did Hamlet know what Claudius intended before Hamlet left Denmark?
What does this imply about Hamlet and his awareness of Claudius's games and motives?

17. Group Response

18. Act IV, Scene 7 King, Laertes, Messenger, Queen
The King's purpose is clear: Laertes must trust him and hate Hamlet. But to what end?
Laertes at least challenges Claudius a bit: his first lines are about the total lack of justice in dealing with Hamlet.
How does this influence your opinion of Laertes?
How does Laertes seem to address his problems?
Reference tone, language, and syntax in your response.
The King apparently has two reasons why Hamlet did not face any official action.
What are they?
Could they be honest, sincere answers?
What do they imply about the strength of Claudius's rule? How does Claudius acknowledge and address these issues?
Group 4

19. Group Response

20. Act IV, Scene 7: Laertes v. Hamlet
Group 4
When Hamlet's note announces his imminent arrival, Laertes is defiant and confident. He seems ready to fight Hamlet on the docks, in full view of the court, even if angels appeared to stop him.
How does the following speech contrast with Hamlet's and Claudius's approach to "problem solving"?
But let him come./It warms the very sickness in my heart/That I shall live and tell him to his teeth,/ 'Thus didst thou.' (IV.7:52-55)
Claudius suggests an alternative that runs counter to Laertes's first inclination.
What is his plan?
Will he tell Gertrude about it? How do you know?
How does he appeal to Laertes's vanity and honor?
Why does he question Laertes's love of his father?
At what point does the plan become less honorable and more murderous? How so?
Is this persuasion or manipulation?

21. Group Response

22. Act IV, Scene 7: Ophelia's End
Group 4
Gertrude breaks the news that Ophelia has just drowned.
Pay careful attention to the description of Ophelia's death (IV.7: ).
Is this suicide? Did Ophelia intend to die?
Is this murder? Was someone watching this dangerous situation, and intentionally not helping her?
Is this manslaughter? Is the manner of her death unintentional but not of her own design?
How do your answers to these questions reflect on the court, their treatment of Ophelia, and Shakespeare's implications about the conflicts at large?
Laertes, who was genuinely heartbroken at the sight of his sister's madness, has a different response to news of her death.
Why does he "forbid his tears"? What does he mean when he says "When these are gone,/The woman will be out"?
He leaves with a reference to "this folly": what is the folly?

23. Group Response

24. ALL STUDENTS reflect on a Separate Piece of Paper
And now that we're here...
ALL STUDENTS reflect on a Separate Piece of Paper
There are rarely "heroes" in tragedies: usually we just end up with villains and victims.
Is it easy or difficult to separate characters into these categories (villain, victim, hero)? How do you make your decisions?
The purpose of the tragedy is to build to a catharsis, mostly through fear and pity.
What do you fear at this point? Why?
What or who do you pity? Why?
Hamlet (the play) is usually regarded a turning point in how authors portray their characters because of Hamlet's subjectivity and the extent to which he legitimately struggles with complex situations. Consider how Shakespeare offers the audience a similar subjectivity and struggle:
Dramatic irony usually provides audiences with answers. Shakespeare withholds information for much longer than usual in this play (if he even reveals his answers).
We don't know about Claudius's guilt until long after we make assumptions and judgments about the credibility of the Ghost and Hamlet's revenge.
We never know the extent to which Ophelia was controlled by her father, or just expected to obey him.
We're still not sure how loyal Gertrude is to her son.
What is the effect of withholding this information?