# Scene IV explained — Hamlet

> Chapter companion for Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Fortinbras sends a captain to greet the Danish king and request passage through Denmark for his army. Hamlet, accompanied by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, encounters the captain and learns that Fortinbras is leading a campaign against Poland for a worthless patch of land. This prompts Hamlet to reflect on his own inaction and resolve to pursue revenge with bloody thoughts.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revenge and Morality

Hamlet's soliloquy directly confronts his failure to act on his revenge, contrasting his inaction with Fortinbras's willingness to risk lives for honor.

### Fate and Free Will

Hamlet questions whether his delay is due to cowardice or fate, and ultimately resolves to take control of his actions.

### Mortality and the Afterlife

The image of soldiers going 'to their graves like beds' underscores the theme of death and the triviality for which men sacrifice their lives.

## Character check-ins

### Fortinbras

Leads his army across Denmark to attack a small part of Poland, demonstrating decisive action.

### Hamlet

Observes Fortinbras's army and delivers a soliloquy condemning his own delay in avenging his father.

### Rosencrantz

Accompanies Hamlet and asks if he is ready to proceed.

### Guildenstern

Present with Hamlet and Rosencrantz during the encounter with the captain.

### Captain

A Norwegian captain who informs Hamlet of Fortinbras's military objective.

## Key lines

> We go to gain a little patch of ground That hath in it no profit but the name.

We are fighting for a small piece of land that is worthless except for its name.

_The captain describes the trivial objective of Fortinbras's campaign._

> How all occasions do inform against me, And spur my dull revenge!

Every situation seems to accuse me and urge me to take my slow revenge.

_Hamlet begins his soliloquy, feeling that events are conspiring to highlight his inaction._

> My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!

From now on, my thoughts must be violent or they are worthless.

_Hamlet resolves to commit fully to revenge, abandoning hesitation._

## Links

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