Act 4 Scene 3 Flashcards
What reasons does Claudius did for sending hamlet away rather than allowing the ‘strong law’ to apprehend him?
Real reasons
Loved by public
‘He’s loved of the distracted multitude’
To kill him
Stop him from exposing Claudius
When hamlet enters he slips once more into antic disposition
Why
‘Worm’ ‘is eaten’
Fuel Claudius - annoy and irritate him - slips up?
Why do Hamlets worlds reveal about his attitude towards Polonius
‘At supper’ ‘is eaten’ ‘nose him’
No respect or remorse
What does Claudius’ short soliloquy at the end of the scene reveal about his plan to deal with the problem of hamlet once and for all
Execute him
‘Present death of hamlet’
What is the role of rosencrants and Guildenstern in Hamlets death
‘Follow’ ‘tempt…speed abroad’
Make sure he goes and quickly
Plot summary
Claudius knows he must remove hamlet but struggles because hamlet is so popular
Resosencrantz and Guildenstern bring him back to face Claudius.
Hamlet antagonises Claudius, telling him that a beggar and a king are the same but eventually says the Polonius body is in the lobby
Claudius sends servants to fetch body
Claudius tells hamlet he will be sent to England and hamlet agrees
When hamlet had gone, rosencrants and Guildenstern follows after. In a soliloquy spoken to England, says that he is sending hamlet with letters that ask England to kill hamlet on his behalf
Key themes in Act 4 scene 3
Deception
Claudius claims to be sending hamlet to England to protect him from punishment
He then secretly sends letters asking the English authorities to kill hamlet
Form and structure
Claudius soliloquy- true intent behind hamlet being sent to England - audience is waiting (dramatic irony) for hamlet to realise
Key quotes
We fat ourselves…maggots
