The queen is concerned by Ophelia’s madness but is not sure of how to react.
Hamlet’s friend urges Gertrude to speak with Ophelia and brings her to the royal family.
A courtier reports to Gertrude and Horatio of Ophelia’s behavior.
A mad Ophelia appears in court where she sings songs, speaks what seems at first to be nonsense, and offers the other characters flowers.
The king is shocked by Ophelia’s behavior, and, when Laertes returns from France, tells him the news of Polonius’s death.
Ophelia’s brother returns from France to find his father murdered and his sister insane. He vows revenge on Hamlet, whom he blames for his misfortune.
A messenger brings news of Ophelia's madness.
Ophelia is not well. A gentleman reveals to Gertrude and Horatio that she has been wandering around, talking nonsense and singing songs. Just then, Ophelia enters, acting utterly insane. She sings songs about death, love, and flowers. Gertrude can make neither heads nor tails of what she’s saying, but Ophelia’s songs hint at Hamlet’s betrayal and her father’s death. After she leaves, Laertes returns, demanding to know where his father is. Claudius informs Laertes that Polonius is dead but swears it wasn’t his fault. Ophelia reenters, talking and singing nonsense again. Laertes is horrified to see his sister in such a state, and he vows revenge on his father’s killer and his sister’s persecutor.
