# Scene VI explained — Hamlet

> Chapter companion for Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

## What happens

Horatio receives sailors bearing a letter from Hamlet, who recounts his encounter with pirates, his capture, and his escape, and asks Horatio to deliver letters to the king and meet him urgently.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Spying

Hamlet's letter reveals his secret survival and his plan to outmaneuver Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, who are unknowingly carrying false orders to England.

### Fate and Free Will

Hamlet's impulsive decision to board the pirate ship alters his fate, turning a potential death sentence into an opportunity for return and revenge.

## Character check-ins

### Horatio

Receives a letter from Hamlet and arranges to meet him.

### Hamlet

Sends a letter describing his pirate encounter and his escape.

### Rosencrantz

Mentioned as continuing on to England.

### Guildenstern

Mentioned as continuing on to England.

## Key lines

> Ere we were two days old at sea, a pirate of very warlike appointment gave us chase.

Before we had been at sea for two days, a heavily armed pirate ship pursued us.

_Hamlet describes the sudden pirate attack._

> I have words to speak in thine ear will make thee dumb; yet are they much too light for the bore of the matter.

I have things to tell you that will shock you, but they are still too trivial compared to the full gravity of the situation.

_Hamlet hints at important revelations he will share with Horatio._

## Links

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