The scene starts of with Gertrude and Claudius talking about Ophelia and how Gertrude does not wish to he her in bereavement and Claudius say she should be pitied as the grief has made her become such a different entity entirely. Ophelia then comes out with flowers and singing quite strange songs, it appears that she might have gone mad with the grief of her father’s death. Claudius enters and tells her that she is in grief because of her father’s death and reassures her that other people are disturbed and sad too of his passing this is stated in the quote “muddied, / Thick and unwholesome in their thoughts and whispers / For good Polonius’ death” he then tells her that Laetres has secretly sailed back from france.
A large noise is then heard from another part of the castle and the guards inform him that the castle is being infiltrated by a mob whispering “Laertes shall be king”. Laetres storms in after finding out the news of his fathers deaths, Gertrude reassure that Claudius is not to blame for his passing and Ophelia enters again with her insanity and Laetres goes back into rage. This time Claudius reassures him that he didn’t kill his father and tells him how much he admires him for wanting to take revenge for his father’s death, but only if directed a the actual murderer. The scene ends with Claudius asking Laetres if he can give his version of the events and Claudius agrees.
React!