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All Site ContentHamletAct 4Scene 7
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"Your sister's drowned, Laertes"
Context and Language Videos
Act 4,
Scene 7
Lines 137b-140

A discussion of Gertrude's annoucement in Act 4, Scene 7 of myShakespeare's Hamlet. 

myShakespeare | Hamlet 4.7 Performance: Gertrude Announces Ophelia's Death

Claudius   

                                                          How now, sweet Queen? 

Gertrude

One woe doth tread upon another's heel, 
So fast they'll follow. Your sister's drowned, Laertes.

Laertes   

Drowned! Oh , where?
Video Transcript: 

RALPH:  Gertrude's line as she enters is brutally abrupt — she announces with startling brevity that Ophelia is dead.

SARAH:  These two lines are quite stunning, Ralph — at the same time that Gertrude is calling attention to the fact that the tragic events in this play are happening at an accelerating pace, she actually contributes to that acceleration with her abrupt announcement.