Hamlet, Act IV, Scene 7

Hamlet
Act IV, Scene 7

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Another room in the castle.
Enter KING CLAUDIUS and LAERTES

KING CLAUDIUS

The same. Another room at the castle (this castle has more rooms).

Now must your conscience my acquaintance seal,
And you must put me in your heart for friend,
Sith you have heard, and with a knowing ear,
That he which hath your noble father slain
Pursued my life.

LAERTES
King Claudius explains to Laertes that he did not kill Polonius. As a matter of fact, he points out that Prince Hamlet was trying to kill him (Clauius), so his life was in danger, too.

It well appears: but tell me
Why you proceeded not against these feats,
So crimeful and so capital in nature,
As by your safety, wisdom, all things else,
You mainly were stirr'd up.

KING CLAUDIUS

Laertes says he understands, but he wonders why Claudius didn't simply go ahead and execute the young Prince.

O, for two special reasons;
Which may to you, perhaps, seem much unsinew'd,
But yet to me they are strong. The queen his mother
Lives almost by his looks; and for myself--
My virtue or my plague, be it either which--
She's so conjunctive to my life and soul,
That, as the star moves not but in his sphere,
I could not but by her. The other motive ,
Why to a public count I might not go,
Is the great love the general gender bear him;
Who, dipping all his faults in their affection,
Would, like the spring that turneth wood to stone,
Convert his gyves to graces; so that my arrows,
Too slightly timber'd for so loud a wind,
Would have reverted to my bow again,
And not where I had aim 'd them.

LAERTES
And so have I a noble father lost;
A sister driven into desperate terms,
Whose worth , if praises may go back again,
Stood challenger on mount of all the age
For her perfections: but my revenge will come.

KING CLAUDIUS
Break not your sleeps for that: you must not think
That we are made of stuff so flat and dull
That we can let our beard be shook with danger
And think it pastime. You shortly shall hear more:
I loved your father, and we love ourself;
And that, I hope, will teach you to imagine--

King Claudius says he decided not to because of Hamlet’s mother, and because of Hamlet's public popularity.

Enter a Messenger

How now! what news?

MESSENGER

The door opens, and it is time for another interruption—things were getting a bit dull.

Letters, my lord, from Hamlet:
This to your majesty; this to the queen.

KING CLAUDIUS
From Hamlet! who brought them?

MESSENGER
Sailors, my lord, they say; I saw them not:
They were given me by Claudio; he received them
Of him that brought them.

KING CLAUDIUS
Laertes, you shall hear them. Leave us.
Exit Messenger

Reads

This time, it is a messenger, delivering some more letters from Hamlet.

' High and mighty, You shall know I am set naked on
your kingdom. To-morrow shall I beg leave to see
The letters explain that Hamlet is going to “set naked on your kingdom” (lines 47-48).

your kingly eyes: when I shall, first asking your
pardon thereunto, recount the occasion of my sudden
and more strange return. 'HAMLET.'
What should this mean ? Are all the rest come back?
Or is it some abuse , and no such thing?

LAERTES
Know you the hand?

KING CLAUDIUS
'Tis Hamlets character . 'Naked!
And in a postscript here, he says 'alone.'
Can you advise me?

LAERTES

Hamlet writes that he will arrive tomorrow, and wants to see the king.

I'm lost in it, my lord. But let him come;
It warms the very sickness in my heart,
That I shall live and tell him to his teeth,
'Thus didest thou.'

KING CLAUDIUS

This disturbs Laertes, who wishes to kill Hamlet, for revenge.

If it be so, Laertes--
As how should it be so? how otherwise?--
Will you be ruled by me?

LAERTES
Ay, my lord;
So you will not o'errule me to a peace.

KING CLAUDIUS
To thine own peace. If he be now return'd,
As checking at his voyage, and that he means

This also disturbs Claudius, who wonders what happened to the two friends who were escorting Prince Hamlet. Where have they gone? Not to mention, Hamlet’s clothes...
Laertes agrees to be "ruled" by Claudius.

No more to undertake it, I will work him
To an exploit, now ripe in my device,
Under the which he shall not choose but fall:
And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe,
Clauius says he has a plan (or an "exploit") which will cause Hamlet to "fall." He wants to kill the young Prince.

But even his mother shall uncharge the practise
And call it accident.

LAERTES

Even his mother will think it is just an "accident."

My lord, I will be ruled;
The rather, if you could devise it so
That I might be the organ.

KING CLAUDIUS

Laertes agrees, but he asks if he might be the "organ" of Hamlet's death. Laertes still wants revenge.

It falls right.
You have been talk'd of since your travel much,
And that in Hamlet's hearing, for a quality
Wherein, they say, you shine: your sum of parts
Did not together pluck such envy from him
As did that one, and that, in my regard,
Of the unworthiest siege .

LAERTES
What part is that, my lord?

KING CLAUDIUS
A very riband in the cap of youth,
Yet needful too; for youth no less becomes
The light and careless livery that it wears
Than settled age his sables and his weeds,

"It falls right," says Claudius. His plan will still allow Laertes to be the executioner.

Importing health and graveness. Two months since,
Here was a gentleman of Normandy:--
I've seen myself, and served against, the French,
And they can well on horseback: but this gallant
Had witchcraft in't; he grew unto his seat;
And to such wondrous doing brought his horse,
As he had been incorpsed and demi-natured
With the brave beast: so far he topp'd my thought ,
That I, in forgery of shapes and tricks,
Come short of what he did.

LAERTES
A Norman was't?

KING CLAUDIUS
A Norman.

LAERTES
Upon my life, Lamond.

KING CLAUDIUS
The very same.

LAERTES
I know him well: he is the brooch indeed
And gem of all the nation.

KING CLAUDIUS

Importing health and graveness. Two months since,
Here was a gentleman of Normandy:--
I've seen myself, and served against, the French,
And they can well on horseback: but this gallant
Had witchcraft in't; he grew unto his seat;
And to such wondrous doing brought his horse,
As he had been incorpsed and demi-natured
With the brave beast: so far he topp'd my thought ,
That I, in forgery of shapes and tricks,
Come short of what he did.

LAERTES
A Norman was't?

KING CLAUDIUS
A Norman.

LAERTES
Upon my life, Lamond.

KING CLAUDIUS
The very same.

LAERTES
I know him well: he is the brooch indeed
And gem of all the nation.

KING CLAUDIUS

King Claudius describes this man he met, a Norman, whose name was Lemond. This Lemond guy described how skillful Laertes was when it comes to the art of fencing, or a sword fight.

He made confession of you,
And gave you such a masterly report
For art and exercise in your defence
And for your rapier most especially,
That he cried out, 'twould be a sight indeed,
If one could match you: the scrimers of their nation,
He swore, had had neither motion, guard, nor eye ,
If you opposed them. Sir, this report of his
This guy bragged quite a bit about how good Laertes was with a "rapier." A "rapier" is a sword.

Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy
That he could nothing do but wish and beg
Your sudden coming o'er, to play with him.
Now, out of this,-- Hamlet was envious of this talent, and even voiced his desire to fence Laertes.

LAERTES
What out of this, my lord?

KING CLAUDIUS
Laertes, was your father dear to you?
Or are you like the painting of a sorrow,
A face without a heart?

LAERTES
Why ask you this?

KING CLAUDIUS
Not that I think you did not love your father;
But that I know love is begun by time;
And that I see, in passages of proof ,
Time qualifies the spark and fire of it.
There lives within the very flame of love
A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it;
And nothing is at a like goodness still;
For goodness, growing to a plurisy,
Dies in his own too much: that we would do
We should do when we would; for this 'would' changes
And hath abatements and delays as many
As there are tongues, are hands, are accidents;
And then this 'should' is like a spendthrift sigh,
That hurts by easing. But, to the quick o' the ulcer:--
Laertes does not understand what any of this has to do with a plan. As a matter of fact, neither do I.

Hamlet comes back: what would you undertake,
To show yourself your father's son in deed
More than in words?

LAERTES

Claudius asks how far Laertes is willing to go in this matter.

To cut his throat i' the church.

KING CLAUDIUS
No place, indeed, should murder sanctuarize;
Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes,
Will you do this, keep close within your chamber .
Hamlet return'd shall know you are come home :

Laertes boasts that he would be willing to cut Hamlet's throat right in a church. Tacky...

We'll put on those shall praise your excellence
And set a double varnish on the fame
The Frenchman gave you, bring you in fine together Claudius plans to send people to Hamlet who will "praise" Laertes' skill with a sword.

And wager on your heads: he, being remiss,
Most generous and free from all contriving, He also mentions that he might wager on the outcome.

Will not peruse the foils; so that, with ease,
Or with a little shuffling, you may choose
Claudius says that Hamlet will never "peruse" the foils. In other words, he won't pay any attention to the weapons.

A sword unbated, and in a pass of practise
Requite him for your father.
Hamlet will never notice that one of the swords is "unbated." "Unbated" means "untipped." In other words, someone will have "accidentally" left the safety tip off of the thing. Hamlet will think this is merely a sporting event.

LAERTES

I will do't: Laertes agrees.

And, for that purpose, I'll anoint my sword.
I bought an unction of a mountebank,
So mortal that, but dip a knife in it,
Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare,
Collected from all simples that have virtue
Under the moon, can save the thing from death
That is but scratch'd withal: I'll touch my point
With this contagion, that, if I gall him slightly,
It may be death.

KING CLAUDIUS

Laertes also suggests that he will go even further. He recently purchased an "unction" of "montebank," he says. This is Elizabethan-speak for "poison." A very powerful poison. One scratch, and you are history. Just another dead, white dude.

Let's further think of this;
Weigh what convenience both of time and means
May fit us to our shape: if this should fail,
And that our drift look through our bad performance,
'Twere better not assay'd: therefore this project
Should have a back or second, that might hold,
If this should blast in proof. Soft! let me see: King Claudius says they need to talk further about this. He decides there should be a “back up plan,” in case something goes wrong. Perhaps he has read the script in advance.

We'll make a solemn wager on your cunnings: I ha't.
When in your motion you are hot and dry--
As make your bouts more violent to that end--
And that he calls for drink, I'll have prepared him Claudius plans to wager on the outcome, although he does not state which side he will bet on.

A chalice for the nonce, whereon but sipping,
If he by chance escape your venom'd stuck ,
Our purpose may hold there.

He decides to also have a poisoned cup (a “chalice”) standing nearby, so when Hamlet needs a good, stiff drink, he will seal his own doom

Enter QUEEN GERTRUDE

How now, sweet queen!

QUEEN GERTRUDE
One woe doth tread upon another's heel,

All of this conversation is interesting, but not to the audience. Queen Gertrude decides to liven things up, and she interrupts.

So fast they follow; your sister's drown'd, Laertes.

LAERTES
Drown'd! O, where?

QUEEN GERTRUDE
There is a willow grows aslant a brook,
That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream;
There with fantastic garlands did she come
Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples
That liberal shepherds give a grosser name,
But our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them:

Queen Gertrude has bad news — Ophelia is dead. Not only that, the poor girl’s clothes are wet...

There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds
Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke ;
When down her weedy trophies and herself
Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide;
And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up:
Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes;
As one incapable of her own distress,
Or like a creature native and indued
Unto that element: but long it could not be
Till that her garments, heavy with their drink,
Pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay
To muddy death.

LAERTES

Queen Gertrude explains how Ophelia drowned, and made no effort to save herself from death.

Alas, then, she is drown'd?

QUEEN GERTRUDE

Laertes, who was always slow on the uptake, is stunned: “Alas, then she is drowned?” (line 202).

Drown'd, drown'd.

LAERTES
Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia,
And therefore I forbid my tears: but yet
It is our trick ; nature her custom holds,
Let shame say what it will: when these are gone,
The woman will be out. Adieu, my lord:

The Queen confirms it.

I have a speech of fire, that fain would blaze,
But that this folly douts it.
Laertes explains that he has a “speech of fire,” but then he realizes this would only prolong the scene.

Exit

KING CLAUDIUS
Let's follow, Gertrude:
How much I had to do to calm his rage!
Now fear I this will give it start again;
Therefore let's follow.

He leaves, and the Act finally ends (whew!).

Exeunt

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Shakespeare for Scholars:	Shakespeare for Everyone Else:
Another room in the castle. Enter KING CLAUDIUS and LAERTES KING CLAUDIUS	The same. Another room at the castle (this castle has more rooms).
Now must your conscience my acquaintance seal, And you must put me in your heart for friend, Sith you have heard, and with a knowing ear, That he which hath your noble father slain Pursued my life. LAERTES	King Claudius explains to Laertes that he did not kill Polonius. As a matter of fact, he points out that Prince Hamlet was trying to kill him (Clauius), so his life was in danger, too.
It well appears: but tell me Why you proceeded not against these feats, So crimeful and so capital in nature, As by your safety, wisdom, all things else, You mainly were stirr'd up. KING CLAUDIUS	Laertes says he understands, but he wonders why Claudius didn't simply go ahead and execute the young Prince.
O, for two special reasons; Which may to you, perhaps, seem much unsinew'd, But yet to me they are strong. The queen his mother Lives almost by his looks; and for myself-- My virtue or my plague, be it either which-- She's so conjunctive to my life and soul, That, as the star moves not but in his sphere, I could not but by her. The other motive , Why to a public count I might not go, Is the great love the general gender bear him; Who, dipping all his faults in their affection, Would, like the spring that turneth wood to stone, Convert his gyves to graces; so that my arrows, Too slightly timber'd for so loud a wind, Would have reverted to my bow again, And not where I had aim 'd them. LAERTES And so have I a noble father lost; A sister driven into desperate terms, Whose worth , if praises may go back again, Stood challenger on mount of all the age For her perfections: but my revenge will come. KING CLAUDIUS Break not your sleeps for that: you must not think That we are made of stuff so flat and dull That we can let our beard be shook with danger And think it pastime. You shortly shall hear more: I loved your father, and we love ourself; And that, I hope, will teach you to imagine--	King Claudius says he decided not to because of Hamlet’s mother, and because of Hamlet's public popularity.
Enter a Messenger How now! what news? MESSENGER	The door opens, and it is time for another interruption—things were getting a bit dull.
Letters, my lord, from Hamlet: This to your majesty; this to the queen. KING CLAUDIUS From Hamlet! who brought them? MESSENGER Sailors, my lord, they say; I saw them not: They were given me by Claudio; he received them Of him that brought them. KING CLAUDIUS Laertes, you shall hear them. Leave us. Exit Messenger Reads	This time, it is a messenger, delivering some more letters from Hamlet.
' High and mighty, You shall know I am set naked on your kingdom. To-morrow shall I beg leave to see	The letters explain that Hamlet is going to “set naked on your kingdom” (lines 47-48).
your kingly eyes: when I shall, first asking your pardon thereunto, recount the occasion of my sudden and more strange return. 'HAMLET.' What should this mean ? Are all the rest come back? Or is it some abuse , and no such thing? LAERTES Know you the hand? KING CLAUDIUS 'Tis Hamlets character . 'Naked! And in a postscript here, he says 'alone.' Can you advise me? LAERTES	Hamlet writes that he will arrive tomorrow, and wants to see the king.
I'm lost in it, my lord. But let him come; It warms the very sickness in my heart, That I shall live and tell him to his teeth, 'Thus didest thou.' KING CLAUDIUS	This disturbs Laertes, who wishes to kill Hamlet, for revenge.
If it be so, Laertes-- As how should it be so? how otherwise?-- Will you be ruled by me? LAERTES Ay, my lord; So you will not o'errule me to a peace. KING CLAUDIUS To thine own peace. If he be now return'd, As checking at his voyage, and that he means	This also disturbs Claudius, who wonders what happened to the two friends who were escorting Prince Hamlet. Where have they gone? Not to mention, Hamlet’s clothes... Laertes agrees to be "ruled" by Claudius.
No more to undertake it, I will work him To an exploit, now ripe in my device, Under the which he shall not choose but fall: And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe,	Clauius says he has a plan (or an "exploit") which will cause Hamlet to "fall." He wants to kill the young Prince.
But even his mother shall uncharge the practise And call it accident. LAERTES	Even his mother will think it is just an "accident."
My lord, I will be ruled; The rather, if you could devise it so That I might be the organ. KING CLAUDIUS	Laertes agrees, but he asks if he might be the "organ" of Hamlet's death. Laertes still wants revenge.
It falls right. You have been talk'd of since your travel much, And that in Hamlet's hearing, for a quality Wherein, they say, you shine: your sum of parts Did not together pluck such envy from him As did that one, and that, in my regard, Of the unworthiest siege . LAERTES What part is that, my lord? KING CLAUDIUS A very riband in the cap of youth, Yet needful too; for youth no less becomes The light and careless livery that it wears Than settled age his sables and his weeds,	"It falls right," says Claudius. His plan will still allow Laertes to be the executioner.
Importing health and graveness. Two months since, Here was a gentleman of Normandy:-- I've seen myself, and served against, the French, And they can well on horseback: but this gallant Had witchcraft in't; he grew unto his seat; And to such wondrous doing brought his horse, As he had been incorpsed and demi-natured With the brave beast: so far he topp'd my thought , That I, in forgery of shapes and tricks, Come short of what he did. LAERTES A Norman was't? KING CLAUDIUS A Norman. LAERTES Upon my life, Lamond. KING CLAUDIUS The very same. LAERTES I know him well: he is the brooch indeed And gem of all the nation. KING CLAUDIUS
Importing health and graveness. Two months since, Here was a gentleman of Normandy:-- I've seen myself, and served against, the French, And they can well on horseback: but this gallant Had witchcraft in't; he grew unto his seat; And to such wondrous doing brought his horse, As he had been incorpsed and demi-natured With the brave beast: so far he topp'd my thought , That I, in forgery of shapes and tricks, Come short of what he did. LAERTES A Norman was't? KING CLAUDIUS A Norman. LAERTES Upon my life, Lamond. KING CLAUDIUS The very same. LAERTES I know him well: he is the brooch indeed And gem of all the nation. KING CLAUDIUS	King Claudius describes this man he met, a Norman, whose name was Lemond. This Lemond guy described how skillful Laertes was when it comes to the art of fencing, or a sword fight.
He made confession of you, And gave you such a masterly report For art and exercise in your defence And for your rapier most especially, That he cried out, 'twould be a sight indeed, If one could match you: the scrimers of their nation, He swore, had had neither motion, guard, nor eye , If you opposed them. Sir, this report of his	This guy bragged quite a bit about how good Laertes was with a "rapier." A "rapier" is a sword.
Did Hamlet so envenom with his envy That he could nothing do but wish and beg Your sudden coming o'er, to play with him. Now, out of this,--	Hamlet was envious of this talent, and even voiced his desire to fence Laertes.
LAERTES What out of this, my lord? KING CLAUDIUS Laertes, was your father dear to you? Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, A face without a heart? LAERTES Why ask you this? KING CLAUDIUS Not that I think you did not love your father; But that I know love is begun by time; And that I see, in passages of proof , Time qualifies the spark and fire of it. There lives within the very flame of love A kind of wick or snuff that will abate it; And nothing is at a like goodness still; For goodness, growing to a plurisy, Dies in his own too much: that we would do We should do when we would; for this 'would' changes And hath abatements and delays as many As there are tongues, are hands, are accidents; And then this 'should' is like a spendthrift sigh, That hurts by easing. But, to the quick o' the ulcer:--	Laertes does not understand what any of this has to do with a plan. As a matter of fact, neither do I.
Hamlet comes back: what would you undertake, To show yourself your father's son in deed More than in words? LAERTES	Claudius asks how far Laertes is willing to go in this matter.
To cut his throat i' the church. KING CLAUDIUS No place, indeed, should murder sanctuarize; Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes, Will you do this, keep close within your chamber . Hamlet return'd shall know you are come home :	Laertes boasts that he would be willing to cut Hamlet's throat right in a church. Tacky...
We'll put on those shall praise your excellence And set a double varnish on the fame The Frenchman gave you, bring you in fine together	Claudius plans to send people to Hamlet who will "praise" Laertes' skill with a sword.
And wager on your heads: he, being remiss, Most generous and free from all contriving,	He also mentions that he might wager on the outcome.
Will not peruse the foils; so that, with ease, Or with a little shuffling, you may choose	Claudius says that Hamlet will never "peruse" the foils. In other words, he won't pay any attention to the weapons.
A sword unbated, and in a pass of practise Requite him for your father.	Hamlet will never notice that one of the swords is "unbated." "Unbated" means "untipped." In other words, someone will have "accidentally" left the safety tip off of the thing. Hamlet will think this is merely a sporting event.
LAERTES
I will do't:	Laertes agrees.
And, for that purpose, I'll anoint my sword. I bought an unction of a mountebank, So mortal that, but dip a knife in it, Where it draws blood no cataplasm so rare, Collected from all simples that have virtue Under the moon, can save the thing from death That is but scratch'd withal: I'll touch my point With this contagion, that, if I gall him slightly, It may be death. KING CLAUDIUS	Laertes also suggests that he will go even further. He recently purchased an "unction" of "montebank," he says. This is Elizabethan-speak for "poison." A very powerful poison. One scratch, and you are history. Just another dead, white dude.
Let's further think of this; Weigh what convenience both of time and means May fit us to our shape: if this should fail, And that our drift look through our bad performance, 'Twere better not assay'd: therefore this project Should have a back or second, that might hold, If this should blast in proof. Soft! let me see:	King Claudius says they need to talk further about this. He decides there should be a “back up plan,” in case something goes wrong. Perhaps he has read the script in advance.
We'll make a solemn wager on your cunnings: I ha't. When in your motion you are hot and dry-- As make your bouts more violent to that end-- And that he calls for drink, I'll have prepared him	Claudius plans to wager on the outcome, although he does not state which side he will bet on.
A chalice for the nonce, whereon but sipping, If he by chance escape your venom'd stuck , Our purpose may hold there.	He decides to also have a poisoned cup (a “chalice”) standing nearby, so when Hamlet needs a good, stiff drink, he will seal his own doom
Enter QUEEN GERTRUDE How now, sweet queen! QUEEN GERTRUDE One woe doth tread upon another's heel,	All of this conversation is interesting, but not to the audience. Queen Gertrude decides to liven things up, and she interrupts.
So fast they follow; your sister's drown'd, Laertes. LAERTES Drown'd! O, where? QUEEN GERTRUDE There is a willow grows aslant a brook, That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream; There with fantastic garlands did she come Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples That liberal shepherds give a grosser name, But our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them:	Queen Gertrude has bad news — Ophelia is dead. Not only that, the poor girl’s clothes are wet...
There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke ; When down her weedy trophies and herself Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide; And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up: Which time she chanted snatches of old tunes; As one incapable of her own distress, Or like a creature native and indued Unto that element: but long it could not be Till that her garments, heavy with their drink, Pull'd the poor wretch from her melodious lay To muddy death. LAERTES	Queen Gertrude explains how Ophelia drowned, and made no effort to save herself from death.
Alas, then, she is drown'd? QUEEN GERTRUDE	Laertes, who was always slow on the uptake, is stunned: “Alas, then she is drowned?” (line 202).
Drown'd, drown'd. LAERTES Too much of water hast thou, poor Ophelia, And therefore I forbid my tears: but yet It is our trick ; nature her custom holds, Let shame say what it will: when these are gone, The woman will be out. Adieu, my lord:	The Queen confirms it.
I have a speech of fire, that fain would blaze, But that this folly douts it.	Laertes explains that he has a “speech of fire,” but then he realizes this would only prolong the scene.
Exit KING CLAUDIUS Let's follow, Gertrude: How much I had to do to calm his rage! Now fear I this will give it start again; Therefore let's follow.	He leaves, and the Act finally ends (whew!).
Exeunt