(another) murder in Denmark?
The description that Gertrud gives of Ophelia’s death is very vivid, detailed and in its way hauntingly beautiful and creepy. The poor girl drowns, oblivious of her rapidly approaching end, surrounded by water and flowers. Sad, tragic, picturesque!
IF someon was there to give such detailed report, why did no one even try to rescue her or to fetch help at least? Was everyone unable to swim, far away from sticks or too paralysed from shock? Or were they rather paralysed by the order not to help her, but, after having given her a little push, just watch fate take its course?
Her death was the final straw which pushed Laertes to revenge, made him the king’s (and maybe the possibly not so innocent queen’s?) helpless and extremly useful tool. Furthermore she was one of the things that were important to Hamlet, and having been close to him Claudius might have feared that Hamlet, who was openly suspicious, told her things which she in her current insane state might repeat causing trouble forClaudius.
Therfore it would not been surprising that Claudius would not mind adding another sin on his already heavy souls and get rid of a danger and gain a servant in one go...