That faith is overwhelming. Laertes has almost come to accept faith from Sagramore, but Sagramore is like him, and he can forgive Laertes's failings because his are the same. But from Claudius--Claudius, who forgets nothing, not a name or a slight or a debt unpaid--it feels like a miracle. It humbles and uplifts him at once; it makes him long to be the man Claudius loves, and no other.

His eyes sting. He crushes Claudius to his chest, and kisses his brow with all the tenderness in him.