Act 4, Scene 4

English Lit: OCR A Level - Hamlet, topic 2.4.3

Key Events in Act 4, Scene 4

Fortinbras, the young ruler of Norway, enters. He is marching his army across Denmark on his way to fight in Poland.

Hamlet, on learning of Fortinbras’ desire to fight over a worthless “patch of ground”, compares the young leader’s desire for war with his own lack of action.

On seeing young Fortinbras advance with his army, Hamlet begins to compare himself with the young prince.
Hamlet is fascinated, and at first seems appalled, by Fortinbras’ willingness to risk “the imminent death of twenty thousand men” for a piece of ground which has no material value. But the more he thinks of Fortinbras, the more he reproaches himself for his own lack of action.

Hamlet: “O from this time forth / My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth”
By the end of his soliloquy, Hamlet has progressed from a sense of “shame” at his own inaction, which he thinks is caused by his tendency to over-think his mission, to a new sense of determination and resolve to finally act.
The sense of a new beginning is created and Hamlet's words take the form of a solemn vow (“O, from this time forth…”) to be “bloody” in deed.

However, the soliloquy ends with yet another reference to his “thoughts”, suggesting that Hamlet’s new resolve to action may just be a case of wishful thinking.

Act 4, Scene 4 highlights the contrast between Hamlet and Fortinbras.

Fortinbras speaks only eight short lines in this scene but the impression he makes is that of a confident leader.
He is respectful of the King of Denmark’s sovereignty over his own territory but unafraid to deal with him as an equal in demanding what he has been “promis’d” (i.e. a route through Demark on the way to Poland).

Above all, we get the impression that Fortinbras is efficient and has purpose. He gives his orders clearly and is promptly obeyed by his captain. Within a few seconds, he is off-stage again, on his way to battle.

Moreover, Fortinbras’ army has been raised to capture a piece of territory which is, according to his own captain, essentially worthless, it's only value being its “name” (reputation).
Hamlet wonders how Fortinbras has the resolve to put “two thousand souls” at risk for the sake of his own “ambition” and begins to compare himself with this young leader.

Hamlet is clearly impressed with Fortinbras, although his description of a “delicate and tender prince” seems at odds with the ambitious young man of action we have met.
This could suggest that Hamlet is trying to present himself as being somehow similar to Fortinbras; a fellow young prince with a great task ahead of him.

Hamlet’s soliloquy reveals his changing thought process. After some initial self-pity about how events have conspired against him, Hamlet begins to see himself as a “coward” who overthinks his revenge mission while seeing Fortinbras as someone who will risk all for the sake of his “honour” or “fame”, even if over a mere “eggshell” or “straw”.
Hamlet decides that Fortinbras’ single-mindedness is an example to follow, even if it risks pursuing “a fantasy and trick of fame”.

By the end of his soliloquy, Hamlet has taken inspiration from Fortinbras and is settled upon “bloody” action.
It remains to be seen whether he acts upon his vow or not.