Read the excerpt from Act IV of Hamlet. Claudius: 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 neither motion, guard, nor eye, If you oppos'd them. Sir, this report of his 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, - Laertes: What out of this, my lord? Claudius: Laertes, was your father dear to you? Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, Why does Shakespeare include this plot event?

Question

Luna Gill

English

5 January, 18:09

Read the excerpt from Act IV of Hamlet. Claudius: 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 neither motion, guard, nor eye, If you oppos'd them. Sir, this report of his 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, - Laertes: What out of this, my lord? Claudius: Laertes, was your father dear to you? Or are you like the painting of a sorrow, Why does Shakespeare include this plot event?

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Davian Shepherd · Answer 1

This scene from Hamlet Act IV is the part wherein Claudius and Laertes finalize plans to murder Hamlet. Shakespeare makes Claudius convince Laertes that it is about time Hamlet's life should end. The author does this to make Claudius seen as a power hungry villain that wants to take down threats to his reign. So Claudius persuades Laertes by stating the evils Hamlet has committed.