Final answer:
In Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', Horatio reads a letter stating that Hamlet's ship was captured by pirates.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the end of Act IV in Shakespeare's Hamlet, Horatio reads a letter from Hamlet stating that his ship had been captured by pirates. This surprising turn of events leads to Hamlet's return to Denmark, setting the stage for the final act of the play. This pirate encounter underscores the theme of uncertainty and the unexpected in Hamlet's world. While the question includes references to statistics and surveys, these are not related to the correct answer concerning the plot of Hamlet.