Hamlet Act 4, Scene 5 Summary

Setting and Context

• Location: Elsinore Castle
• Key characters involved: Ophelia, Gertrude, Claudius, Horatio, Laertes

Key Events

Ophelia's Disturbance

• Ophelia requests to speak with Queen Gertrude.
• Gertrude is initially reluctant due to Ophelia's strange behavior.
• Horatio and other advisors suggest it's wise to allow Ophelia to speak.
• Ophelia enters, clearly disturbed, singing about death and love.
• Claudius and Gertrude are shocked by Ophelia's state.

News of Laertes

• Claudius tells Gertrude that Laertes has returned from France.
• Laertes is determined to avenge his father's death.
• Noise is heard, followed by a messenger's warning of Laertes leading a riotous group.

Laertes' Confrontation

• Laertes enters and confronts Claudius and Gertrude, demanding answers and his father's body.
• Ophelia re-enters, still singing and handing out flowers, intensifying Laertes' grief.

Claudius' Manipulation

• Claudius uses the moment to sway Laertes, offering to explain and promising his crown if he or Gertrude are guilty.

Themes and Analysis

Madness

• Ophelia's madness contrasts with Hamlet's feigned madness.
• Her songs reflect grief over her father's loss and Hamlet's affection.

Laertes' Transformation

• Laertes evolves into a man of action, similar to Fortinbras.
• His absence from Denmark seems to have changed him from being more like Hamlet.
• His lack of balance and desire for revenge foreshadows his downfall.

Foreshadowing and Character Development

• Laertes' potential downfall hinted as he lacks independence, being influenced by Polonius and Claudius.
• Both Fortinbras and Hamlet seek independence, but only Fortinbras will live to mature and carry it forward.

Conclusions

• The scene sets the stage for further tragedy, highlighting themes of madness, revenge, and transformation.