If Hamlet had let her in on his plan, her death could have been prevented, but Hamlet's quest would not have been fulfilled. Due to confusion between appearance of Hamlet's insanity and the reality of his manipulative scheme to destroy Claudius, Ophelia is the ultimate victim of Hamlet.
As confusion pertaining to reality and appearance contributed to the death of Ophelia, it prolonged the life of Claudius, as he appears to be repenting for his brother's murder. Hamlet is ready to end Claudius' life and avenge his father's death, but realizes that killing Claudius while he prays would send him to heaven. Claudius admits,.
"O, my offense is rank, it smells to heaven;.
It hath the primal eldest curse upon't-.
A brother's murder. Pray can I not,.
Though inclination be as sharp as will,.
My stronger guilt defeats my strong intent,.
And, like a man to double business bound, .
I stand in pause where I shall first begin,.
And both neglect." (III, iii, 36-43).
An admission of guilt appears to be a prayer for repentance. Hamlet wants to make sure that Claudius experiences the eternal purgatorial walk that his father must wander through. In order spark interest, Shakespeare added a twist that prolonged the tragic ending to this drama. .
Claudius is only admitting to killing King Hamlet, not asking for forgiveness. Hamlet easily could have slaughtered Claudius, but because of the appearance of prayer, the play continues with Hamlet still trying to contrive a successful means of death for his stepfather. While he was so determined to end Claudius' life, he states,.
.
"A villain kills my father, and for that.
I, his sole son, do this same villain send to heaven.
Why, this is hire and salary, not revenge." .
(III, iii, 76-79).
To murder Claudius in this state would be not only sending him to heaven, but would be condemning Hamlet to Hell. This plot twist adds to Hamlet's confusion, making the play more intense.