Hamlet by William Shakespeare Act V

Terms to Know Soliloquy: Soliloquy: is a device often used in drama when a character speaks to himself or herself, relating thoughts and feelings, thereby also sharing them with the audience Foil: In fiction, a foil is a character who contrasts with another character (usually the protagonist) in order to highlight particular qualities of the other character.

Hamlet – Act V Scene I 2 gravediggers debate about whether Ophelia should be given a Christian burial since it is believed she killed herself. 2 gravediggers debate about whether Ophelia should be given a Christian burial since it is believed she killed herself. Hamlet asks who the grave is for. Hamlet asks who the grave is for. Gravedigger: “that was a woman sir; but, rest her soul, she’s dead” (V.i.146). Gravedigger: “that was a woman sir; but, rest her soul, she’s dead” (V.i.146). Hamlet muses over death and how brief and unimportant we all really are. Hamlet muses over death and how brief and unimportant we all really are.

Hamlet picks up a skull, Hamlet picks up a skull, and the gravedigger tells him “that skull belonged to Yorick, King Hamlet’s jester.” Hamlet tells Horatio that as a child he knew Yorick and is appalled at the sight of the skull. He realizes forcefully that all men will eventually become dust, even great men like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar Hamlet tells Horatio that as a child he knew Yorick and is appalled at the sight of the skull. He realizes forcefully that all men will eventually become dust, even great men like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar

Hamlet – Act V Scene I A funeral procession arrives A funeral procession arrives Hamlet realizes the funeral Hamlet realizes the funeral is for Ophelia Laertes jumps into the grave. Laertes jumps into the grave. Hamlet and Laertes fight. Hamlet and Laertes fight. Hamlet: “forty thousand Hamlet: “forty thousand brothers could not, with all their quantity of love, / make up my sum” (V.i.254– 256). Hamlet proclaims his undying love for Ophelia

Hamlet – Act V Scene II Hamlet confesses to Horatio, he stole a packet of letters R & G were taking to the King of England. Hamlet confesses to Horatio, he stole a packet of letters R & G were taking to the King of England. The letters were from Claudius, asking the king to have Hamlet beheaded. The letters were from Claudius, asking the king to have Hamlet beheaded. Hamlet replaced the letter with one he wrote, ordering the death of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet replaced the letter with one he wrote, ordering the death of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

Symbols GHOST: This represents Hamlet’s loss— the loss of family, loss of love, loss of respect GHOST: This represents Hamlet’s loss— the loss of family, loss of love, loss of respect FLOWERS: These represent Ophelia’s death at such a young age FLOWERS: These represent Ophelia’s death at such a young age MADNESS: Deterioration of family and Denmark’s kingdom MADNESS: Deterioration of family and Denmark’s kingdom

Hamlet – Act V Scene II A messenger arrives and tells Hamlet about the fencing match against Laertes. Osric is very servile (agreeable) A messenger arrives and tells Hamlet about the fencing match against Laertes. Osric is very servile (agreeable) Against Horatio’s advice, Against Horatio’s advice, Hamlet agrees to the fight. At the match, Hamlet At the match, Hamlet asks Laertes for forgiveness. Claudius puts on a show, Claudius puts on a show, rooting for Hamlet in the fight.

Hamlet – Act V Scene II Claudius offers Hamlet a drink which has been laced with poison (just in case the poisoned tip of the sword does not work). Claudius offers Hamlet a drink which has been laced with poison (just in case the poisoned tip of the sword does not work). Hamlet does not drink. Hamlet does not drink. Instead, Gertrude drinks Instead, Gertrude drinks wine, unaware king’s plan. wine, unaware king’s plan. The men continue to fight. The men continue to fight. Hamlet is wounded with the Hamlet is wounded with the poisoned sword.

Hamlet – Act V Scene II In the scuffle, Hamlet and Laertes have switched swords. In the scuffle, Hamlet and Laertes have switched swords. Hamlet wounds Laertes with Laertes’ sword. Hamlet wounds Laertes with Laertes’ sword. Gertrude announces that the cup was poisoned and she is dying. Gertrude announces that the cup was poisoned and she is dying. Laertes confesses about the poisoned sword, declaring that it was Claudius’s idea. Laertes confesses about the poisoned sword, declaring that it was Claudius’s idea. Laertes: “I am justly kill’d with my own treachery” (V.ii.318). Laertes: “I am justly kill’d with my own treachery” (V.ii.318).

Hamlet – Act V Scene II Hamlet stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword, then forces Claudius to drink the poisoned wine. Hamlet stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword, then forces Claudius to drink the poisoned wine. The king dies. The king dies. Upset, Horatio wants Upset, Horatio wants to kill himself, but Hamlet pleads not to kill himself. Hamlet asks Horatio to live to tell Hamlet’s story. Hamlet asks Horatio to live to tell Hamlet’s story.

Hamlet’s death at the hands of Laertes makes his earlier declaration over Polonius’s corpse, that God has chosen Hamlet’s death at the hands of Laertes makes his earlier declaration over Polonius’s corpse, that God has chosen “to punish me with this and this with me,” prophetic (III.iv.174). “to punish me with this and this with me,” prophetic (III.iv.174). His murder of Polonius does punish him in the end, since it is Laertes’ vengeful rage over that murder that leads to Hamlet’s death. His murder of Polonius does punish him in the end, since it is Laertes’ vengeful rage over that murder that leads to Hamlet’s death.

Hamlet – Act V Scene II Hamlet dies. Hamlet dies. Fortinbras arrives, and Horatio tells Hamlet’s story. Fortinbras arrives, and Horatio tells Hamlet’s story. The story designates Fortinbras as king. The story designates Fortinbras as king. Fortinbras vows to give Hamlet a hero’s burial. Fortinbras vows to give Hamlet a hero’s burial. The End The End