Hamlet 4.5-4.7

Scene 5
1. Gertrude says she doesn't want to see or talk to Ophelia because Ophelia has gone INSANE and is speaking in riddles. She changes her mind because Horatio warns her that Ophelia might end up saying something Gertrude wouldn't want her to if she becomes unhappy.
2. Claudius thinks Ophelia is crazy mostly because of her father's death, but also somewhat because Hamlet left. I agree. She's gone mad because she no longer has anyone around to control her, and she doesn't know what to do.
3. Laertes comes home because he hears that his father has died. He wants to be there for the funeral and to comfort Ophelia, and also to avenge his father's murder.
4. The supporters of Laertes want him to be king. Claudius feels as though he has to appease and calm Laertes before there is a rebellion, and also to suck up to him because he is about to ask Laertes to get revenge on Hamlet.
5. Claudius calms Laertes using flattery. He promises (probably an empty promise) Laertes that if there is any guilt in Claudius and Gertrude, they will gladly give up their throne.

Scene 6
1. The ship taking Hamlet to England is captured by pirates and Hamlet is taken by the Pirates in the confusion of the fight. He does not get treated badly, however, because he makes a deal with them.
2. As part of the deal the pirates bring Hamlet home to Denmark.
3. The pirates are going to bring Horatio back to Hamlet.

Scene 7
1. Both Gertrude and the people love Hamlet.
2. Hamlet sends Claudius a letter.
3. Hamlet was supposed to be killed in England because Claudius ordered it, but he never ended up getting to England.
4. Claudius and Laertes plan to put poison on the tip of the rapier so Hamlet will die no matter what. If it doesn't work they will give him a chalice of poisoned wine.
5. Ophelia is picking wild flowers by a stream and decides to climb a willow tree. The CLAIM is that a branch breaks and she drowns.