Act IV Scene VI & VII

      Scene VI of Act IV is very short and consists of nothing extreme or drastic. The scene is merely Horatio reading a letter that Hamlet sent concerning his need to speak with him. However, the reader may notice Hamlet's sincere trust in his good friend Horatio. It does not tell us why Hamlet trusts Horatio so much, but it is clear that he does. It may be because Horatio cares very deeply about Hamlet. We can see that the most previously in Act I, when Hamlet sees his father's ghost and choices to follow it, Horatio insisted that he should not follow the ghost because the ghost could lead him astray. Horatio kept saying, "Do not, my lord" (1.4.64). It is very obvious from this scene, and others, that Horatio cares deeply about his friend Hamlet. And I think Hamlet knows that and that is why he trusts him so much.
     
      The basis of Scene VII is Laertes and Claudius discussing a plan for Hamlet's death. If Laertes and Claudius had no type of relationship before this scene, they most definitely do now. In scene VII, it seems as though the two of them are best friends! United under one common goal: to murder Hamlet. Claudius came up with a plan that the Laertes and Hamlet will have a fencing match. Except, Laertes will have the sharpest sword, plus he mentioned that he will put poisonous oil on his sword so that if the sword so much as touches Hamlet, he will surely die. Along with this plan, Claudius thought it necessary to come up with a back up plan in case the previous one does not work. He would have a cup of poison that he would give to Hamlet if he gets thirsty from the action (4.7). Because both Laertes and Claudius want the same thing, the death of Hamlet, they get along very well.They will work together and do whatever it takes to make sure Hamlet dies.