Hamlet

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Scene-by-Scene Analysis

Act 4 Scene 7

The last scene of Act 4 sees Claudius and Laertes calmly devising a revenge plot to get back at Hamlet. In trying to settle Laertes, Claudius faces his biggest challenge. Laertes’ anger poses a big risk to the state of Denmark and its political stability. Initially, Laertes is confused as to why Claudius did not give Polonius a noble funeral, and why he did not punish Hamlet sufficiently. Claudius simply puts it down to two factors: firstly, Gertrude loves Hamlet too much, and he does not want to hurt her feelings.

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