Claudius murdered Hamlet s father Claudius's reaction to the play confirms his guilt as he storms out during the performance Sending Hamlet to England Following the disruption of the play and Hamlet's accidental killing of Polonius Claudius sees an opportunity to rid himself of Hamlet without dirtying his own hands He sends Hamlet to England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern They carry sealed letters instructing the King of England to execute Hamlet upon his arrival The Duel with Laertes After the plan to have Hamlet killed in England fails Claudius conspires with Laertes Polonius s son He seeks vengeance for his father's death and his sister Ophelia s madness and subsequent death Claudius and Laertes plot to kill Hamlet during a rigged fencing match Laertes uses a poisoned blade and as a backup Claudius prepares a poisoned drink to offer Hamlet during the duel Hence Claudius intricate plotting ultimately leads to the tragic end of nearly all main characters including himself