In Gertrude's room, Polonius hides behind a tapestry. Hamlet's entrance so alarms Gertrude that she cries out for help; Polonius echoes her cry, and Hamlet — thinking Polonius to be Claudius — stabs him to death. Hamlet then verbally attacks his mother for marrying Claudius. The Ghost returns to remind Hamlet of his true purpose; Gertrude cannot see it and pities Hamlet's apparent madness. Hamlet urges Gertrude to abandon Claudius's bed, reveals his suspicions about the journey to England, and exits dragging Polonius's body.
In Gertrude's room, Polonius hides behind a tapestry. Hamlet's entrance so alarms Gertrude that she cries out for help; Polonius echoes her cry, and Hamlet — thinking Polonius to be Claudius — stabs him to death. Hamlet then verbally attacks his mother for marrying Claudius. The Ghost returns to remind Hamlet of his true purpose; Gertrude cannot see it and pities Hamlet's apparent madness. Hamlet urges Gertrude to abandon Claudius's bed, reveals his suspicions about the journey to England, and exits dragging Polonius's body.