1. Hamlet

2. Act 4 1.Gertrude tells Claudius that Hamlet is mad and that he killed Polonius. Claudius is afraid that these events will make him lose his reputation (he wants people to like him). 2.Hamlet calls R&G ‘stupid dogs’ (they listen blindly to Claudius and accept his gifts) 3.Claudius asks Hamlet where Polonius is. Hamlet: ‘at supper… not where he eats, but where he is eaten.’ (message: Polonius is dead) 4.‘The fat king with his country and the thin man with no job are just different dishes in the same meal. We all feed worms in the end.’ (meaning: we all die, but Claudius, you should prepare because you are the next to die – a direct threat, which Claudius understands very well)

3. 5. ‘in Heaven. Send a messenger to find him. If he isn’t there, you can look for him in Hell.’ (meaning: you are a murderer, I am sure you will go to Hell, and you have no access to Heaven) 6. Hamlet calls Claudius ‘dear mother’ two times – meaning: you are weak, like a woman (coward) 7. Ophelia becomes mad (shock of her father’s death) – she is singing about her father and about Hamlet 8. Claudius decided to hide what happened to Polonius – he is burried quickly and secretly (Claudius is afraid to give Hamlet a trial, because Hamlet will tell everyone about his father’s death). 9. People start talking about Polonius’ death and they blame Claudius for not being a good and fair king.

5. 10. Laertes comes from France and people start a revolt – they want Laertes to become king (democracy). 11. Laertes wants revenge for his father’s death – he wants to kill Claudius on the spot (he is not religius like Hamlet and he does not hesitate to threaten the king). 12. Laertes sees Ophelia mad and believes that Hamlet is guilty for both his father’s death and his sister’s madness. 13. Claudius manipulates Laertes against Hamlet. 14. Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet describing what has happened on his ship.

6. PIRATES R&GHamlet

7. 15. Claudius receives a letter from Hamlet – message: I come back to Denmark and we need to talk, Claudius. 16. Claudius is nervous (he expected news that Hamlet is dead, not that he returns) 17. Claudius tells Laertes that he did not kill Hamlet for 2 reasons: Gertrude loves him (Claudius does not want trouble with his marriage) and Hamlet is very popular with common people (Claudius wants people tolike him). 18. Claudius and Laertes have a plan: invite Hamlet to a friendly sword-fight with Laertes. During the fight remove the sword protector, put poison on the sword and kill Hamlet. Also, Claudius will put poison in a cup of wine and give it to Hamlet to drink. 19. Gertrude brings news that Ophelia is dead: she fell from a tree in the water and drowned.