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The Tragedy of Hamlet by William Shakespeare

ACT IV
1. Sc. 1, Lines 1–32: Describe the Queen’s mental state and the King’s reaction to her news. How do
their emotions affect the opening scene’s tone and pace?

2. Sc. 1, Lines 1-32: As the King, it is Claudius’s duty to see that justice is done for the murder of
Polonius. How does his handling of this crime affect his image with the play’s audience?

3. Sc. 1, Lines 38–45: What evidence shows the King’s overriding concern about maintaining his
political power?

4. Sc. 2, Lines 9–21: How would you characterize Hamlet’s comments toward Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern? Explain Hamlet’s meaning when he calls Rosencrantz a sponge.

5. Sc. 2, Lines 22–31: Describe Hamlet’s tone here. Do you think he is faking madness, as he did in Act
II? Why, or why not?

6. Sc. 3, Lines 4–5: What theme is echoed by Claudius in these lines? Comment on the irony that
Claudius is making this statement.

7. Sc. 3, Lines 17–32: Describe the meanings of the metaphor established in these lines. What is
Hamlet’s purpose in making this comparison to Claudius?
8. Sc. 3, Lines 34–40: Describe Hamlet’s attitude toward the King and toward Polonius here.

9. Sc. 3, Lines 61–71: What previously unrevealed plan for Hamlet does Claudius reveal here, and
how does it reflect on his character?

10. Sc. 4, Lines 1–7: Describe Fortinbras. How is he portrayed in the opening of this scene, and how
does it compare to his previous descriptions?

11. Sc. 4, Lines 16–31: What theme can you infer from Hamlet’s words and attitude?

12. Sc. 4, Lines 34–58: Summarize Hamlet’s thoughts in lines 34–48. Then summarize what Hamlet
thinks of Fortinbras in lines 48–58.

13. Sc. 4, Lines 58–68: How does Hamlet say he will act in the future? Do you believe his closing vow?
Support your response with evidence.

14. Sc. 5, Lines 1–21: Summarize the offstage developments in the opening lines. What inference can
you make about the cause of Ophelia’s madness? Support your inferences with evidence from the
text.

15. Sc. 5, Lines 22–56: Cite evidence from Ophelia’s spoken lines and songs that her father’s death
and Hamlet’s cruelty are on her mind?
16. Sc. 5, Lines 76–97: What events are causing emotional and moral conflict for Claudius? Examine
the entire speech and the closing lines to identify evidence of a change in the King.

17. Sc. 5, Lines 102–120: Consider this initial description of Laertes, identify the similarities in the
situation facing both Laertes and Hamlet, and tell how their character traits are clearly different.

18. Sc. 5, Lines 135–141: Describe Laertes’ strongly stated, public intentions and compare them with
the way that Hamlet has approached the issue of his father’s death.

19. Sc. 5, Lines 161–170: How would you Laertes’ emotional state in these lines? Explain Laertes as a
foil (opposite) to Hamlet.

20. Sc. 5, Lines 209–226: Give at least one example of foreshadowing from Claudius and Laertes’s
conversation. Cite the line(s) and explain what you think this indicates for the future of the play.

21. Sc. 6, Lines 13–31: Summarize the events from Hamlet’s letter to Horatio. Do these events seem
plausible/realistic?

22. Sc. 7, Lines 10–36: Summarize the reasons—or excuses—Claudius gives Laertes in lines 10–25.
Examine lines 31–36 and identify foreshadowing in what Claudius says.

23. Sc. 7, Lines 56–58: Describe Laertes’ feelings that are illustrated throughout his conversation with
Claudius.
24. Sc. 7, Lines 98–109: Which lines describe Hamlet’s character? Do you think this description is
accurate? Why or why not?

25. Sc. 7, Lines 110–129: Describe how Claudius baits Laertes and what these lines reveal about the
King’s character.

26. Sc. 7, Lines 130–142: Summarize the plan Claudius pitches to Laertes. How does Laertes respond
and what does his response reveal about his character?

27. Sc. 7, Lines 166–187: How does Shakespeare use vivid sensory language to paint a picture of what
happens offstage? Identify images and sensory details in the Queen’s story of what happens to
Ophelia, and explain how it contributes to the scene.

28. Sc. 7, Lines 194–197: Describe how these lines confirm one aspect of the King’s character.