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Study Guide
Hamlet Act IV, Scene iv
By William Shakespeare
Act IV, Scene iv
- Hamlet is on his way to England. More specifically, he's on the Danish coast near the Danish castle.
- And what does he see but the armies of Prince Fortinbras of Norway, who it seems has decided to wage war with Poland instead of with Denmark.
- Hamlet assumes Fortinbras must be taking on the whole country, but after talking with one of his Captains he learns that this is a huge conflict being waged over a tiny, unimportant piece of territory.
- This makes Hamlet think. He concludes that, if Fortinbras can lead 20,000 men to their death over a little patch of land, then he should be able to rain vengeance upon the man who has killed his father and "stained" his mother.
- Right?
- He swears to follow Fortinbras' example, stop delaying and finally carry out his revenge.
- Suuuuuuuure he will.
Navigation
- Introduction
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Summary
- Act I, Scene i
- Act I, Scene ii
- Act I, Scene iii
- Act I, Scene iv
- Act I, Scene v
- Act II, Scene i
- Act II, Scene ii
- Act III, Scene i
- Act III, Scene ii
- Act III, Scene iii
- Act III, Scene iv
- Act IV, Scene i
- Act IV, Scene ii
- Act IV, Scene iii
- Act IV, Scene iv
- Act IV, Scene v
- Act IV, Scene vi
- Act IV, Scene vii
- Act V, Scene i
- Act V, Scene ii
- Themes
- Characters
- Analysis
- Quotes
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