# Scene IV explained — Hamlet

> Chapter companion for Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

In the Queen's closet, Hamlet confronts his mother Gertrude about her marriage to Claudius. Polonius, hiding behind an arras, cries out and is killed by Hamlet, who mistakes him for the king. The Ghost appears to remind Hamlet of his purpose, but Gertrude cannot see it. Hamlet urges his mother to repent and avoid Claudius's bed, revealing his feigned madness. He then drags away Polonius's body.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

Hamlet feigns madness while being sane, and the Ghost appears real to Hamlet but invisible to Gertrude, highlighting the gap between perception and truth.

### Corruption and Decay

Hamlet describes Gertrude's marriage as 'stew'd in corruption' and compares Claudius to a 'mildew'd ear,' emphasizing moral decay.

### Deception and Spying

Polonius hides to spy on Hamlet, and Hamlet deceives his mother about his madness, underscoring the theme of surveillance and deceit.

## Character check-ins

### Hamlet

Confronts his mother, kills Polonius, sees the Ghost, and reveals his feigned madness.

### Queen Gertrude

Confronted by Hamlet, sees the black spots in her soul, cannot see the Ghost, and agrees to keep Hamlet's secret.

### Polonius

Hides behind the arras to spy, is killed by Hamlet.

### Ghost

Appears to Hamlet to whet his purpose, but is invisible to Gertrude.

## Key lines

> I must be cruel, only to be kind: Thus bad begins and worse remains behind.

My harshness is necessary for your ultimate good; this unpleasantness is just the start of more difficult things to come.

_Hamlet justifies his harsh words to Gertrude as a form of tough love, foreshadowing further tragedy._

> O, what a rash and bloody deed is this!

Oh, what a hasty and violent act you have committed!

_Gertrude reacts in shock to Hamlet's killing of Polonius, highlighting the impulsiveness of the act._

> Look here, upon this picture, and on this, The counterfeit presentment of two brothers.

Look at this portrait of my father and compare it to that of Claudius—see the stark contrast between them.

_Hamlet uses the portraits to vividly contrast the noble King Hamlet with the corrupt Claudius, shaming his mother._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hamlet_se/chapters/act-iii-scene-iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hamlet_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/hamlet_se/chapters