C). The suspense builds as Claudius clarifies Laertes's goal.
Explanation:
The excerpt from Act IV of Hamlet advances the plot by building suspense after Claudius reveals Laertes's goal that enhances the inquisitiveness of the readers. Claudius ingeniously prevents himself from Laertes' wrath. He deftly gets out the goal of Laertes' at the surface through these statements and the latter clarifies his intentions that he would 'repast his blood' to welcome his father's true friends but not going to leave his enemies barehanded. Thus, this confrontation develops an atmosphere of suspense in the plot and compel the readers to think about 'what would happen next?". Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
