ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -Claudius and Gertrude follow him, ostensibly to quell his anger. Claudius struts for Laertes in this scene, but, if we believe what he says, he also demonstrates his ability to care.

Detailed explanation-2: -He recounts his torment over the slaying of Polonius, the secret burial to avoid uprising, the madness of Ophelia, and the arrival of her brother, Laertes, who means to incite rioting over his father’s death.

Detailed explanation-3: -After Claudius tells Laertes that Hamlet killed Laertes’ father, Polonius, Laertes asks why Hamlet has not been punished for his actions. Claudius claims that he cannot act against Hamlet because Gertrude and the public love him too much. In this way, he begins to manipulate Laertes into killing Hamlet.

Detailed explanation-4: -A furious Laertes storms into the hall, fuming in his desire to avenge his father’s death. Claudius attempts to soothe him by frankly acknowledging that Polonius is dead. Gertrude nervously adds that Claudius is innocent in it. When Ophelia reenters, obviously insane, Laertes plunges again into rage.

Detailed explanation-5: -At the same moment, Laertes becomes infuriated with the priest, who says that to give Ophelia a proper Christian burial would profane the dead. Laertes leaps into Ophelia’s grave to hold her once again in his arms.