Hamlet Notes ~ Act III Scene IV

• Polonius hides behind the thick curtain as Hamlet approaches 
• Gertrude begins with telling Hamlet that he has offended his father, this upsets him and he reproaches and throws her words in her face repeatedly > his father and Claudius are very distinct people, Hamlet was actually a true man unlike the villainous Claudius
• Gertrude feels threatened and asks if Hamlet will murder her, then begins shouting for help, to which Polonius joins in
• Hamlet stabs at the curtain, killing Polonius yet hoping it is Claudius
• Hamlet also accuses his mother in part taking in the murder of his real father
• Hamlet attacks his mother viciously, paying no heed to her feeble attempts at defending herself
• Ghost enters and as Hamlet speaks to it, Gertrude calls him insane
• Ghost gives him two tasks > keep Gertrude from going mad, and avenge him
• "How is it with you, lady?" > Gertrude asks what he speaks to, trying to calm him
• Hamlet attempts to show the ghost to his mother, failing, the ghost exits
• Hamlet returns to his former attack, his mother saying that her heart is cleft (deeply troubled) > but what could be troubling her, other than Hamlet's sanity?
• Hamlet asks of his mother to refrain from laying in bed with Claudius and asks her to become virtuous
• Hamlet repents having killed Polonius, only for the fact that his death will cause much trouble
• Hamlet asks his mother if she knows of his departure to England, the answer is yes, which she seems saddened by, Hamlet says he will have his "trustworthy" friends by his side and they will enjoy themselves
• Hamlet says his final goodbye and drags out the body of Polonius