Hamlet Act 4 Scene 4 Hamlet Report

Hamlet begins with two guards, Bernardo and Francisco, as they keep watch of Elsinore. Bernardo relieves Francisco of his duty on watch and two other characters enter. Horatio and Marcellus arrive and engage in a discussion with Bernardo and Francisco about a figure they saw. The men believe that they saw a ghost. The ghost then appears in front of the men and is revealed to be the ghost of the late King Hamlet in a full suit of armor. The guards had previously attempted to speak with the ghost, but the ghost never responded. Horatio decides that he should inform Prince Hamlet about the ghost and exits. Scene two begins in a large room in the castle where the new King, Claudius, is celebrating his marriage to Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. The
After they all state their farewells, Laertes leaves and Polonius inquires about Ophelia’s conversation with Laertes. Ophelia responds and tells Polonius that Laertes advised her about her relationship with Hamlet. Polonius begins to give her his own advice and tells Ophelia that she must not continue her relationship with Hamlet and Ophelia agrees to obey her father. In scene four, the guards and Hamlet have returned to where they saw the ghost. The ghost appears and beckons Hamlet away from the others. Horatio and Marcellus try to stop Hamlet from going with the ghost, but Hamlet does not listen and goes anyway. In fear for Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus agree to follow from a distance. Scene five begins with an interaction between Hamlet and the ghost. Once alone with Hamlet, the ghost finally speaks. The ghost reveals that he is Hamlet’s father and begins to tell Hamlet of his murder. The ghost claims that Claudius, his own brother, poisoned him while he was relaxing after lunch. Hamlet is enraged and swears to kill Claudius. Horatio and Marcellus arrive but Hamlet does not tell them what the ghost said. Instead, Hamlet makes them swear to never speak of the ghost