Hamlet

3. What sort of judgment does the Captain make about the place they are fighting for? How does Hamlet describe it (4.4.9.15-.19)?

3. What sort of judgment does the Captain make about the place they are fighting for? How does Hamlet describe it (4.4.9.15-.19)?

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Fortinbras’ Norwegian army are at the borders of Denmark. Fortinbras's Captain says that in Poland there is “a little patch of ground” which Norway claims as her own. He describes this land as perfectly worthless and small. Hamlet marvels at how Fortinbras is willing to risk so many men for something (Poland) so useless. This realization is enough for Hamlet to launch into his famous soliloquies – “How all occasions do inform against me.”Hamlet is impressed that Young Fortinbras would go to war over a useless patch of land.