Answer:
Claudius directs Gertrude to try to learn the cause of Hamlet’s odd behavior; they suspect it is the old king’s
death and their own recent marriage. Meantime, Claudius and Polonius eavesdrop on Ophelia and Hamlet,
who spurns her and appears mad. The King reveals to Polonius his plan to send Hamlet to England with
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
Hamlet seizes the opportunity presented by a traveling troupe of players to expose the King’s guilt with a
“play within a play.” Soon after, Hamlet delays killing Claudius because the King is at prayer, and Hamlet
does not wish to send him to heaven instead of hell. When Gertrude meets with Hamlet as Claudius has
directed, Polonius hides behind the arras in Gertrude’s room to eavesdrop on the conversation. Hamlet,
suspecting the interloper is Claudius, stabs and kills Polonius.
Explanation:
