Act 4, Scenes 1 through 4, Hamlet Summary

Scene 1 - Gertrude tells Claudius what happened between her and Hamlet, saying Hamlet is mad and that he is responsible for the death of Polonius. Claudius says they should have locked Hamlet away at the first sign of his madness, but they loved him too much to do it. Gertrude tells him Hamlet is hiding Polonius' body and grieving over what he has done. Claudius promises her that soon Hamlet will be sent from court and calls for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to find Polonius. After they've gone, Claudius plans to communicate what has happened to his "wisest friends", letting them know what's happened so that the rumors and truth of what Hamlet did will leave him, his country, his crown and his reputation undamaged.

Scene 2 - When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern find Hamlet, he speaks to them tauntingly...