Grommersoft

Act 4, Scene 3 Summary

Claudius now perceives Hamlet's madness as dangerous and is wary of his favor with the people of Denmark, whose judgment will be on appearance, not reality. Claudius has Rosencrantz and Guildenstern bring him to his presence. He asks where Polonius is. Hamlet replies he is at supper, meaning, really, is at the supper- of worms. At last, Hamlet tells him where the body is and he is told to go to England. Alone, Claudius confesses that he wishes Hamlet to be murdered in England, an England that loves him and fears the Danish sword.

Act 4, Scene 3 Analysis

Claudius, with the death of Polonius, is now fully alarmed at Hamlet's intentions. He sends him off to England, where he hopes he will be murdered. The fox is now wary that he is the game. Has Hamlet's madness been too conspicuous, attracting too much suspicion to him?