ACT 4
Hamlet: "Ay, sir, that soaks up the king's countenance, his
rewards, his authorities. But such officers do the
king best service in the end: he keeps them, like
an ape, in the corner of his jaw; first mouthed, to
be last swallowed: when he needs what you have
gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you
shall be dry again" (IV, ii, 16-22)
- Hamlet is mocking his friends that they are like a "sponge" for being manipulated by the King
- Rosencrantz and Guilderstern cannot tell what is real and what is fake
Claudius: "How much I had to do to calm his rage!
Now fear I this will give it start again;
Therefore let's follow" (IV, vii, 194-196).
- Claudius is afraid that Laertes might ruin the plan since he found out his sister is dead
- This reveals Claudius' true character
- He is only thinking about himself about achieving his plan
- He does not care for Laertes' feelings or mourn over Ophelia's death
- This reveals Claudius' true character