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Act 4, Scene 5 Summary

Ophelia appears before the royal couple. She is beside herself with grief. Her father, who she loved dearly, was murdered by her suitor, Hamlet. She sings strange songs in her madness. She leaves and suddenly an enraged Laertes and his followers, who call for Laertes to be kind, come before Claudius. Laertes thinks that Claudius is responsible for his father's death. Ophelia comes in, again showing how her grief has led to madness. Claudius tells Laertes he is not guilty and will prove it to him.

Act 4, Scene 5 Analysis

Ophelia, if anyone, is truly a victim of Hamlet's revenge, as well of her father's poorly intended conspiracy on behalf of the royal couple. Laertes is also a victim. Instead of being destroyed by Hamlet's act, he has become a rival of Claudius for the throne through an act of rebellion, as well as a rival of Hamlet, who is heir to the throne. When he first encounters Claudius, he believes that Claudius has murdered his father. The consequences of Hamlet's accidental murder spin off in strange directions.