Act 4

Claudius told hamlet that he must leave for England as soon as possible and Hamlet agreed. Claudius didn't tell Hamlet, but his intentions were for him to be put to death there. On their way to board a ship for England, Hamlet encounters Fortinbras. Hamlet learns that a war is going on because of something insignificant. Soon Laertes sails back from France with some angry people. He wants revenge for his dead father also (Polonius). Later, Horation gets a letter from Hamlet saying his ship has been captured by pirates who returned him to Denmark. He also has messages for the king and queen, and something has happened to the 2 "friends" that took him on the ship to England. The message for Claudius was that Hamlet would be back the next day. Laertes is happy because he can get revenge on the person who killed his father. Claudius is devising a plan so that Laertes can kill Hamlet without foul play. He wants them to fight with swords in a duel. Laertes will use a sharpened sword and might put poison on the blade, and if Laertes loses, Claudius will offer him a cup of wine with poison. Gertrude comes in and announces that Ophelia has drown in the river.