ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -During the match, Claudius conspires with Laertes to kill Hamlet. They plan that Hamlet will die either on a poisoned rapier or with poisoned wine. The plans go awry when Gertrude unwittingly drinks from the poisoned cup and dies. Then both Laertes and Hamlet are wounded by the poisoned blade, and Laertes dies.

Detailed explanation-2: -Laertes wants Hamlet dead to avenge Polonius’s death; Claudius wants Hamlet dead because he is afraid that Hamlet knows that Claudius killed his own brother, Hamlet’s father. Claudius uses Laertes’s grief to manipulate him into going along with Claudius’s plan to kill Hamlet.

Detailed explanation-3: -Now knowing that Hamlet is still alive, Claudius offers Laertes an opportunity to show his love for Polonius by joining him in a plot to kill Hamlet by engaging in swordplay with him. Claudius promises to arrange a fencing match between Laertes and Hamlet.

Detailed explanation-4: -Claudius agrees that Laertes deserves to be revenged upon Hamlet, and he is disposed to encourage Laertes to kill Hamlet, since Hamlet’s erratic behavior has made him a threat to Claudius’s reign. The devious king begins to think of a way for Laertes to ensure his revenge without creating any appearance of foul play.

Detailed explanation-5: -Claudius and Laertes launch a poisonous plot. The king, furious that Hamlet is returning, convinces Laertes to duel Hamlet with a poisoned, sharpened sword. He also plans to offer Hamlet a poisoned drink if Laertes fails to kill him. Laertes agrees to Claudius’s plan, hoping to kill Hamlet in revenge.