Act IV
1. What is the real reason, as revealed at the end of 4.3, Claudius has sent Hamlet away?

•  He's sending him away for his crime because he can't put him in jail due to the people loving him, and while Hamlet is in England he has instructed the King of England to kill Hamlet.

2. What has Hamlet done with the body of Polonius? What kind of a funeral did Polonius receive, according to the King (4.5)?

• Hamlet left the body in the lobby and Polonius will receive a "hugger-mugger" funeral.

3. On his way out of Denmark, Hamlet encounters a captain from the army of Fortinbras (4.4). Where are they headed? What are they fighting for?

• The are headed to Poland to fight over a small plot of land.

4. How is Ophelia described in the stage direction that marks her entrance to 4.5? What does she sing about in her songs? What does she hand out to the court?

• "Ophelia enters, Insane" First she sings about love then she sings about death. she hands out flowers to the court.

5. What news does the Messenger bring of Laertes in 4.5? Has he returned to Denmark alone? Compare his state to Hamlet’s report at 4.7. 

• He tells the King and Queen that Laertes has returned from Paris and has brought people with him to try and take over the government of Denmark.

6. Note how Laertes describes his motivation for revenge in 4.5. What is driving him?

• He says that his motivation is to avenge his father's death and not let him be known as a "harlot" but as his Fathers true son.

7. What turn of events does Hamlet report to Horatio in his letter in 4.6?

• He tells Horatio that he has been kidnapped by Pirates and that the two people the king sent to escort him to England are still on their way but he is not with them.

8. Claudius comes up with a very complicated plan for Laertes to execute his revenge in 4.7. What is it? Notice what Laertes wants to do (4.7)!

• Laertes says he will cut his (Hamlet) throat in church.

9. How do we learn of Ophelia’s death? What are its odd circumstances?

• Gertrude tells Laertes of his sisters death, that she drowned. She fell into the water after trying to hang a wreath from a tree that hung over the brook, she at first acted like she didn't notice she was in danger and kept singing but then her cloths became sodden and drug her down to her death.