Act 5 Summary

1
Hamlet

• Act 5 Summary

2
Act 5.1 Character List

• Gravediggers
• Gertrude
• Claudius
• Hamlet
• Horatio
• Laertes

3
Scene 1 Details

• Hamlet and Horatio enter churchyard where two men
  are digging a grave
• Hamlet reflects on how death is the great
  equalizer brings everyone down to the same level
• Hamlet questions gravediggers about the mad
  prince and recognizes Yoricks skull (the Kings
  jester)
• Hamlet and Horatio step aside to observe the
  funeral procession

4
Scene 1 details

• Laertes is upset that Ophelia doesnt get full
  funeral rites b/c her death is suspect
• Leaps into her grave and curses Hamlet
• Hamlet reveals himself declares his love for
  Ophelia
• He would fast, eat a crocodile, and be buried
  alive for her what would her brother do for her?
• Laertes and Hamlet fight both are pulled apart
• Claudius reminds Laertes of his plan and to be
  patient

5
Act 5.2 Character List

• Hamlet
• Horatio
• Laertes
• Gertrude
• Claudius
• Osric
• Young Fortinbras
• Ambassador

6
Scene 2 Details

• Hamlet explains to Horatio how he got back to
  Denmark
• He had a gut feeling that something wasnt right
• Discovered a letter from King to English to have
  Hamlet beheaded
• Gives letter to Horatio
• Hamlet rewrites orders to have R G executed
  instead seals it with his dads royal seal to
  make official
• Hamlet doesnt feel bad at all about it he
  believes they deserved it he feels justified

7
Scene 2 Details

• Hamlet recognizes need to make peace with
  Laertes he will court his favor
• Osric comes in to deliver the duel challenge to
  Hamlet Claudius believes Hamlet can beat Laertes
  in the duel Hamlet accepts challenge
• Horatio has a bad feeling Hamlet will lose
• Hamlet is willing to accept whatever will happen
  his death will come sooner or later

8
Scene 2 Details

• Hamlet and Laertes meet in front of King, Queen
  and court
• Hamlet asks for Laertess forgiveness he blames
  his madness for the death of Polonius
• Laertes accepts the apology with reservation
• They get ready to duel Claudius says it is the
  best of three hits he will put a jewel into a
  cup for each hit Hamlet gets (its really
  poison).

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Scene 2 Details

• Hamlet gets first and second hit
• Claudius offers poison cup Hamlet declines
• Gertrude is excited that Hamlet will win dotes
  on Hamlet and drinks from cup despite Claudiuss
  reaction (Shes will soon be a goner!)
• Laertes needs to get Hamlet (though Claudius is
  doubtful) Laertes now second guesses himeself
  and yet is almost against my conscience
  (5.2.303).

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Scene 2 Details

• Laertes wounds Hamlet with poisoned sword their
  swords get exchanged Hamlet wounds Laertes with
  poisoned sword
• Laertes will die by his own treachery
• Queen collapes King tries to cover it up she
  admits she was poisoned
• Hamlet seeks out treachery Laertes blames King
  and tells Hamlet he will soon die because of the
  poisoned sword

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Scene 2 Details

• Hamlet goes after Claudius and kills him with his
  own poison (after Claudius calls out for helpno
  one comes to his aide!)
• Before he dies, Laertes asks for Hamlets
  forgiveness releases Hamlet from any blame for
  his or his fathers death
• Hamlet begins to fade Horatio wants to die with
  him but Hamlet asks Horatio to tell my story
• As Hamlet dies, Fortinbras advances on castle
  Hamlet gives his dying voice for Fortinbras to
  be king of Denmark
• Hamlet dies

12
Scene 2 details

• Fortinbras enters ready to take over only to be
  greeted by a massacre wants to know what has
  happened
• Ambassador from England comes in to report R G
  are dead
• Horatio will report to everyone what has happened
  here and also give Hamlets voice to support
  Fortinbrass take over.
• Fortinbras takes over with sorrow and asks that
  Hamlet be buried like a soldier
• The end!

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Who died and how?

• King Hamlet Poison Act 1
• Polonius Stabbed by Hamlet Act 3
• Ophelia Drowned Act 4
• Gertrude Poison Act 5
• Laertes Poison Act 5
• Hamlet Poison Act 5
• Claudius Poison Act 5
• Rosencrantz Beheaded Act 5
• Guildenstern Beheaded Act 5