In the final act of the play, the inevitable violence that was so long delayed due to Hamlet’s indecisiveness, erupts in rapid fashion. All the characters start to fall one by one. People are poisoned, stabbed, and results in a major bloodbath. Finally, the themes of justice and revenge come to a conclusion when Hamlet kills Claudius. However, I found it very interesting that before all the bloodshed, Hamlet seemed peaceful and content with what was yet to happen. He seems to come to terms with death and we see the growth in his character. Hamlet shows some sympathy for Laertes, which is surprising because throughout the play, he is only obsessed with himself and his family. The death of Ophelia and his desire to obtain Laertes’s forgiveness shows that he does have a humanistic side to him.
Hamlets death is not what you would call heroic, however it is one that is not shameful either according to the morality of the play. The play comes to a close when he finally suceeds in avenging his fathers murder, however does it in the worst way possible. Everyone that he knows dies, including slowly watching his mother die knowing that hes next.
I agree that Hamlet’s death is not heroic. For me I recalled the old saying “Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” Before reading “Hamlet” I always took the saying as when you take revenge another person will than take revenge on you. In short, once you’ve taken the life on the person you wanted revenge on you become the next person to die. Although the order of death in terms of who was stabbed first doesn’t quite follow the saying, I feel it still holds its value. Hamlet set out for revenge and in the end dies as well.
I too felt the same way about Hamlet in the last scene. He seemed rather accepting and okay with how things were going. I don’t believe he wants to really be a hero he just wants to accomplish his goal, and once he does the rest doesn’t really matter. He puts all his focus and determination on revenge, and in the end he dies himself. Which makes me wonder if it was all worth it, is it worth succeeding in revenge if you too will die? One seeks revenge to enjoy the outcome, but Hamlet doesn’t really get a chance to do that.
I also agree on your reaction to when Hamlet showed Laertes some sympathy. Since the moment he saw his father’s ghost and learned the truth behind his death. Hamlet has been on a mission to avenge his father’s death. He has made bad decisions and spoken to others disrespectful, all in the name of vengeance. So this bit of sympathy he shows Laertes is surprising. This action may have given us a glimpse on Hamlets character before his father’s death.