The final Act begins with a conversation between two gravediggers as they
dig Ophelia’s grave. They repeat a rumor that Ophelia committed suicide and
wonder whether she ought to be buried in hallowed ground. We learn that the king
has overridden the objections of the clergy and provided for her burial.
That skull had a tongue in it and could sing once
. How the knave jowls it to the ground as if
'twere Cain's jawbone, that did the first murder!
This might be the pate of a politician which this ass
now o'erreaches, one that would circumvent God,
might it not? (PG-736 LINE 65-69)
This quote states that Underneath our skin, we all look pretty much the same.
Unless you’re this lady, apparently. If you get murdered, you definitely want her on
your investigative team. Similar to the king as he was acting innocent but inside
his heart he knew he committed crime.
I personally feel that according to the two gravediggers or; Clowns; Ophelia has
committed suicide—not cool with Christians, and usually means that you don't get
a proper burial. Luckily, money talks, and Ophelia's family pulled some strings to
get her a religious burial. Hamlet thinks that death affects everyone the same, but
maybe it doesn’t: rich people even get to die differently.
In the final scene, the violence, so long delayed, erupts with dizzying speed.
Characters drop one after the other, poisoned, stabbed, and, in the case of
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, executed, as the theme of revenge and justice
reaches its conclusion in the moment when Hamlet finally kills Claudius. Claudius
is in so deep that he can’t admit reality even to save his wife.
In the moments before the duel, Hamlet seems peaceful, though also quite sad. He
says that he feels ill in his heart, but he seems reconciled to the idea of death and
no longer troubled by fear of the supernatural. Exactly what has caused the change
in Hamlet is unclear, but his desire to attain Laertes’ forgiveness clearly represents
an important shift in his mental state.
That death is neither heroic nor shameful, according to the moral logic of the play.
Hamlet achieves his father’s vengeance, but only after being spurred to it by the
most extreme circumstances one might consider possible: watching his mother die
and knowing that he, too, will die in moments.
The arrival of Fortinbras effectively poses the question of political legitimacy once
again. In marked contrast to the corrupted and weakened royal family lying dead
on the floor, Fortinbras clearly represents a strong-willed, capable leader, though
the play does not address the question of whether his rule will restore the moral
authority of the state.
Question
(1) Did Rozencrantz and Guildenstern deserve their fates?
(2) Why did the king wager on Hamlet 's victory?
It’s interesting that you point out that under our skin, we are all the same, yet those who are wealthy are still treated differently and can bend the rules. Although definitely not intended to be one would assume, there are a lot of parallels between todays world and during that time period when it comes to the wealthy. It does not seem as if it would be an important moment in the play, but it speaks volumes as to how much power the wealthy have.
Though I didn’t read the play as you did (wealthy are treated differently), Ophelia’s death is quite controversial, considering that she (most likely) committed suicide. As you stated, this was frowned upon in Christian culture, as it’s not considered an authentic death. However, it’s interesting to note that Hamlet did not know who was being buried. When he did in fact find out it was Ophelia, his outburst of emotion was very surprising, to say the least. Up to this point, his “madness” coincided with his lack emotions and compassion to others; he was focused upon himself and avenging his father’s death. At this moment, his attitude seemed to have changed, for the better. He understood Laertes’ hatred for him, as he’s in the same shoes trying to kill his own father’s murdered. All in all, I felt this was the “calm before the storm”, which lead spectacle of violence that occurs at the end of the play.
thanks for sharing such interesting moments . i liked the points that you said we all same under our skin. i also liked how you described the moment when hamlet was asking forgiveness . He didn’t intentionally kill Polpnius but still he didn’t blame Laertes desire of killing him to take revenge of his father Polonius as hamlet was also trying to take revenge of his father’s death. to answer your question why the king wager on hamlet’s victory because he know Laertes has poisoned sword to kill hamlet.
i honestly didnt read the whole act 5 of the play but had a perfect understanding of it base on your presentation.and the idea of equality you highlight no matter the social or financial level we are all the same.hamlet character in this play is so mysterious and i believe if the ghost wasnt part of the play we will see a diferent role polaying by hamlet base on his education.Also hamlet revenge or justice has been made but he could have done it since long time ago but he had to be 100% sure which was considered as an hesitation but no he has done th right thing in order for him not to be unhetical and even if the crime is still an unethical behavior from hamlet i assume thatin greek tragedy crime was considered as a way to explain anger and revenge was part of their culture somehow bevcause whoever killed someone else parent is always expecting to be killed by evenge and this has been the life of familly by paying pain to pain with no forgivenesss but hamlet character explain forgivenesss, inssurance and revenge when he is sure that he was going to make justice.hamlet even if he died he has done what need to be done base on greek belief at that time better die as an hero than living as a chicken witch means fearful.