Act IV, Scene v

"That I am guiltless of your father’s death/ And am most sensible in grief for it,/ It shall as level to your judgment pierce/ As day does to your eye."

-Claudius (IV.v.125-29)

This quote is significant because it shows that Claudius is willing to do anything to save himself, at all costs. He is saying that he will oust Hamlet, and prove to Laerties that he is innocent. This adds to the development of the story because perhaps Claudius is purposely trying to cause more trouble for his son? Had Ophelia not interrupted this conversation, to what extent would Claudius go to save his reputation? This quote leaves a lot of questions to interpret. 

• Discuss a comparison the one of the characters makes.

In this scene, Laerties says "Do you see this, O God?" This connects to the Great Chain of Being because humans are lower on the chain than god. God is at the very top, so Laerties is providing an example of how humans look up to the greatest power of all at times like these.  

• Discuss a reference to any of the four themes that Shakespeare is exploring in Hamlet.

Ophelia gives the royal family different flowers upon her visit. She is singing and talking in a tone of nonsense the entire time. This is an example of seeming versus being, because she seems crazy, but is she really? 

Another example of seeming versus being is within the meanings behind her flowers. She gives Gertrude fennel which represents infidelity. She gives Claudius rue, which symbolizes repent. She then goes on to tell him that they both shall need rue, or to repent, but he for different reasons. All of these symbols that she is making signify to me that she is not actually crazy, because the idea to use flowers is quite genius. I do not think that a person who lost their mind could convey a powerful message in such a subtle way. 

• Wild card: is there something you thought of? Write it!

I think that in this scene, Laerties could be viewed as another foil character to Hamlet. In stark contrast, Laerties was bold enough to lead a rebellion straight to the king to avenge his fathers death. Hamlet on the other hand, lives with Claudius, yet he has not made a move to do anything about his own revenge. 

It is very bold and rash of Laerties to believe these rumors and to act upon them. In comparison, Hamlet is very timid and hesitant. Perhaps these traits are Hamlet's hamartia and cause his downfall in the end.