Hamlet Act 4 What is Claudius' reaction when he's told of Polonius' death? What does this show us about his feelings toward Polonius, one of his closest allies?

When Claudius asks Hamlet where Polonius' body is--he says?

At dinner or in Heaven

Where are they sending Hamlet? (Hint: It's a country)

England

Who enters on horseback at the end of the scene?

Fortinbras

What is Hamlet's point in comparing Rosencrantz to a sponge?

He says that Rosencrantz is soaked full of the King's influence, but that he'll be wrung out and used up/left dry by the king in the end. He's also saying that the king is using Rosencrantz (and Guildenstern) to clean up his messes.

Why can't Claudius just announce to everyone that Hamlet killed Polonius and have him put on trial?

He's worried that people will blame him for allowing Hamlet to roam unsupervised when he clearly was not mentally well. Claudius is worried that this will reflect poorly on himself. He also knows that most of the people of Denmark like Hamlet and he's worried that public opinion will tilt in Hamlet's favor.

Who storms the castle and tries to attack Claudius?

Laertes

In the opening scene, who is running into the padded walls?

Ophelia

Who is screaming at the end of the scene?

Ophelia

In the letter from Hamlet to Horatio, who does Hamlet write captured him at sea?

Pirates

Who does Claudius send to find Hamlet (besides guards)? (2 people)

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern

What happened to Ophelia? How is she acting?

She found out her Polonius (her father) was murdered. She is acting crazy.

When Horatio looks through hole in the door--what is happening to Ophelia?

She is being sprayed down with water.

When does King Claudius plan to launch Hamlet's ship to England? Why the hurry?

The ship will sail at sunset this evening. Claudius wants to get Hamlet out of town before people find out that the young man murdered Polonius

What unpleasant task does the King give to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?

They need to go find Polonius' dead body and bring it to the chapel. Ew.

What is Claudius' reaction when he's told of Polonius' death? What does this show us about his feelings toward Polonius, one of his closest allies?

When Gertrude tells Claudius about Polonius' death, Claudius thinks first of himself, grateful that he wasn't the one hidden behind the curtain. This shows his selfishness and implies that he was not especially close to Polonius. Claudius is more upset that Hamlet is a threat to him than he is about the death of a man who was supposedly one of his closest friends

Do you think Ophelia's death was an accident or a suicide? Explain your reasoning.

it was suicide because she really had lost her sanity with her father's death and the face that Hamlet treated her the way that he did.