Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 1 summary
Act 4, Scene 1 of 20 · 2 min to read the scene
In Act 4, Scene 1, Gertrude tells the King that Hamlet kills Polonius in a frenzy, and the King treats Hamlet’s freedom as a threat to everyone. He orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet and recover the body, while preparing to send Hamlet away and protect the royal reputation.
What happens
- The Queen asks Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to leave before telling the King about Hamlet’s violence.
- She describes Hamlet killing an unseen man behind a wall hanging and says he weeps over the deed.
- The King fears danger and blame, regrets leaving Hamlet free, and decides to send him away at sunrise.
- He orders Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Hamlet, address him gently, and carry Polonius’s body to the chapel.
- The King asks Gertrude to join him in consulting trusted friends and defending their reputation.
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In this scene
What to notice
The King turns the report of one killing into a broader question of safety. This judgment supports his decision to send Hamlet away.
Quick check
Where does the King order Polonius’s body to be taken?
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