Act 4 Scene 3

Question 1

He’s loved of the distracted multitude,
Who like not in their judgment, but their eyes;
And where ‘tis so, the offender’s scourge is weigh’d,
But never the offence.

Answer 1

S: King
C: Claudius has just sent Hamlet to England on a boat.
1) The people of Denmark love Hamlet. Claudius knows that he can’t kill Hamlet himself because it will be political suicide.
2) Shows that the King is aware of his surroundings and he’s acting smarter.

Question 2

Your worm is your only emperor for diet: we fat all
creatures else to fat us, and we fat us, and we fat ourselves for
Maggots: your fat king and your lean beggar is but
Variable services, two dishes, but to one table: that’s
the end

Answer 2

S: Hamlet
C: Hamlet is insulting Claudius after Claudius has just asked Hamlet where he has placed Polonius’ dead body.
1) When we die, the weight we put on in life all ends up feeding the worms, no matter how important you are.
2) This is a progression of how Hamlet once thought about death, at first he was scared of going to hell and he was fearful of what awaited him in death but now thinks about a finality (the end). This is characterization.
3) Hamlet probably suspects he’ll die soon.

Question 3

In heaven: send thither to see: if you messenger
find him not there, seek him i’ the other place
Yourself.

Answer 3

S: Hamlet
C: Telling Claudius that he can go to hell. He also reveals where Polonius’ body is (up the stairs to the lobby) and is about to send him to London but first wants to know where he put Polonius’ body.
1) Hamlet is confident he can kill the king, he claims he will send him to hell (foreshadowing).
2) Hamlet is confident, bold, ready and all in for revenge.

Question 4

I see a cherub that sees them. But, come; for
England! Farewell, dear mother.

Answer 4

S: Hamlet
C: The King has just told Hamlet that he is sending him off to England. Claudius, as we know, has bigger plans than what he is leading.
1) Claudius thinks he’s got a one up on Hamlet however Hamlet is onto him and knows that Claudius will try to get him killed in England.
2) Hamlet is getting bolder and no longer cares what the consequences of his actions are.
3) Hamlet sounds like a man of action but he isn’t one, building on the theme that nothing is as it seems.

Question 5

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.

Answer 5

S: King
C: The King has just told Hamlet that he is sending him off to England. Claudius, as we know, has bigger plans than what he is leading.
1) Until Hamlet is dead, Claudius will always be in danger and live in fear.
2) Confirmation that Claudius is ordering someone to kill Hamlet when he gets to England.
3) foreshadows hamlets death soon