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Hamlet Synopses » Act IV » Act IV, Scene iii

Synopsis of Hamlet Act IV scene iii

Claudius asks Hamlet where he has hidden Polonius’s body. After commenting on the corruption of the human body, Hamlet tells him. Claudius tells Hamlet that he is being sent to England.

After Hamlet has left, Claudius reveals in soliloquy that he has arranged for Hamlet to be executed when he arrives in England.

Commentary on Hamlet Act IV scene iii

Not where he eats but where he is eaten … a King may go a progress through the guts of a beggar — Hamlet stresses human mortality. Even kings will inevitably die and their bodies decay.

Seek him i’ th’other place yourself — ‘the other place’ is hell. Hamlet says that Claudius will be able to enter hell, but not heaven.

I see a cherub that sees them — cherubs are a particular kind of angel; who were thought of as God’s messengers, having knowledge of divine and human activity. Hamlet is saying that an all-seeing God is aware of Claudius’ plans. This comment indicates Hamlet’s growing sense of being in the hand of God’s providence.

Man and wife is one flesh — Shakespeare gives Hamlet words from the marriage service in the Book of Common Prayer: ‘they two shall be one flesh’, which are derived from the Bible (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:6; Ephesians 5:31). He is reminding Claudius of the sacred marriage vows which, Hamlet feels, Claudius and Gertrude have broken.

Investigating Hamlet Act IV scene iii

  • Look back at the first three scenes of Act IV.
    • What impression do we have here of Claudius?
    • Does he still seem to feel any of the guilt that led him to pray in Act III scene iii?
Today's New International Version
24For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
King James Version
24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Today's New International Version
6So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let no-one separate.'
King James Version
6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Today's New International Version
31'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.'
King James Version
31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Supernatural beings closely linked with the work of God; his messengers, traditionally portrayed as having a winged human form.
The care and concern for future well-being; in particular, the care of God the Father for all creation.
In Christianity, a religious service, usually in a church, in which vows of commitment are made 'in the presence of God' and before witnesses. Civil ceremonies are also common today.
The book of prayers and church services first put together by Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury in the time of King Edward VI (1547-53) for common (ie. general) use in English churches.