GERTRUDE                 This is mere madness,

And thus awhile the fit will work on him.

Anon, as patient as the female dove

When that her golden couplets are disclosed,

His silence will sit drooping.

HAMLET                     Hear you, sir,

What is the reason that you use me thus?

I loved you ever – but it is no matter.

Let Hercules himself do what he may,

The cat will mew and dog will have his day. (Exit.)            (5.1.273-281)

Gertrude, stuck with making excuses (again) for her son: this is mere madness—look, it’s crazy talk, nothing to take seriously, he’s out of his head—and thus awhile the fit will work on him. He’ll calm down and come to his senses, but it might take some time. So she tries to smooth things over, yet again, and to soothe Hamlet, humour him even, with an elaborate, not to say completely random, simile (there’s scope even for tipping him a knowing wink, a shared joke at the daftness of it): anon, as patient as the female dove when that her golden couplets are disclosed, his silence will sit drooping. Pretty soon he’ll be as tranquil as a dove who’s just hatched twins! All fuzzy yellow! The fight seems to go out of Hamlet at least a bit: hear you, sir, what is the reason that you use me thus? what’s this all about, man? (This suggests that Laertes attacked Hamlet, but it’s still a bit rich, and a bit risky, in the circumstances.) I loved you ever (pushing his luck; room for incredulity from Laertes, Horatio, a raised eyebrow from Gertrude)—so a hasty, but it is no matter. It’s OK, I’m going, I’m going, I’m DONE here (shrugging off helpful hands/resisting arrest). But there’s a parting shot, of course: let Hercules himself do what he may—Hercules could be directed at Laertes, for his classically-inflected heroics; Hamlet has disavowed any likeness to Hercules himself (but Hercules was an archetype of terrible, misdirected wrath)—whatever, no matter who tries to stop me, the cat will mew and dog will have his day. The truth will out, no matter what, and my time will come. To be continued. Yes, I’m going, I’m GOING, alright. Welcome home, Hamlet.