Act 4, Scene 6
Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet. The Prince writes that he has been taken prisoner aboard a pirate ship. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern remain on Hamlet's original ship, bound for England. Horatio is instructed to deliver several enclosed letters to King Claudius and to rush immediately to Hamlet's side.
Act 4, Scene 7
Laertes learns that Hamlet, not King Claudius, is responsible for Polonius' death. The vengeful son demands to know why Hamlet was not executed for committing the murder. Claudius argues that he could not impose the death penalty because the Queen and the country dearly love Prince Hamlet. Receiving Hamlet's letters, Claudius and Laertes learn that the Prince will return to Elsinore the following day. King Claudius concocts a plan that will rid him of his vexing nephew. At the same time, the scheme will also afford Laertes a chance to avenge Polonius' murder. Knowing that Laertes is a famed swordsman, Claudius will arrange a fencing competition between Hamlet and Laertes. Hamlet's rapier will be blunted, to protect Laertes, while Laertes' sword will be sharpened and poisoned, to slay Hamlet. Because the Prince's death will appear accidental, Queen Gertrude and Denmark will never suspect the murder. Claudius even proposes a backup plan. If the rigged duel seems likely to fail, Claudius will urge Hamlet to drink from a poisoned chalice for refreshment.
Queen Gertrude bursts in with the heavy news that Ophelia has drowned. Climbing on a willow tree to hang garlands from its branches, Ophelia plunged into the rushing brook below. As Gertrude reports, "'Her clothes spread wide, / And mermaid-like a while they bore her up; ....But long it could not be / Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, / Pulled the poor wretch from her melodious lay / To muddy death.'" Act 4, Scene 7, lines 146-154 Everyone weeps, especially Laertes, who has now lost both father and sister.
Topic Tracking: Suicide 5
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