Act 4, Scenes 5, 6 and 7, Hamlet Summary

Scene 5 - Gertrude comes, refusing to see Ophelia who, the dialogue implies, has gone mad. Gertrude is convinced to change her mind and Horatio brings in Ophelia, who is singing a strange song of grief. As she sings, Claudius comes in, immediately concluding that losing both her father and Hamlet has driven Ophelia mad. Ophelia goes out, and Claudius comforts Gertrude, at the same time warning her that Laertes has suddenly returned from France and is determined to accuse Claudius of responsibility for Polonius' death. At that moment, a courtier comes and warns them that Laertes is in the palace.

Laertes bursts in, demanding justice for his father. Claudius and Gertrude attempt to calm him, saying that Claudius is not responsible for Polonius' death. Conversation is interrupted by Ophelia, coming in and singing a song about spring...