Hamlet Act V Hamlets Observations on Death Alas

Hamlet Act V

Hamlet’s Observations on Death • “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio: a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy: he hath borne me on his back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rims at it. Here hung those lips that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your gibes now? Your gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment, that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one now, to mock your own grinning? quite chap-fallen?

Hamlet’s Observations on Death • Now get you to my lady's chamber, and tell her, let her paint an inch thick, to this favour she must come; make her laugh at that. Prithee, Horatio, tell me one thing… Dost thou think Alexander looked o' this fashion i‘ the earth? . . . And smelt so? pah!. . . To what base uses we may return, Horatio! Why may not imagination trace the noble dust of Alexander, till he find it stopping a bung-hole? . . . No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither with modesty enough, and likelihood to lead it: as thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried,

Hamlet’s Observations on Death • Alexander returneth into dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam; and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might they not stop a beer-barrel? Imperious Caesar, dead and turn'd to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away: O, that earth, which kept the world in awe, Should patch a wall to expel the winter flaw!” (V. i. 190 -223)

Hamlet’s Observations on Death • • Stage Direction Hamlet takes the skull Skull—symbol of death Hamlet is physically touching death.

Hamlet’s Observations on Death • • Death is the Great Equalizer Even someone as great as Alexander will be reduced to dust. – • • Remember Hamlet’s comments in Act IV regarding a poor person eating a king. Is Hamlet accepting death? Is Hamlet accepting his own mortality?

Ophelia’s Funeral • • Insight into the nature of Ophelia’s death She is not given all of the traditional Christian funeral rites She is only allowed to be buried in Christian ground because of the influence of the King. Suggests that she committed suicide

Ophelia’s Funeral • Laertes’ Reaction – – • Jumps into her grave Sincere or overreaction? Hamlet’s Reaction – – – Seems to be competing with Laertes Rude? Indicates his love was real?

Ophelia’s Funeral Important Lines • “This is I, / Hamlet the Dane. ” (V. i. 270 -271) – Has Hamlet finally accepted who he is? – Is he no longer acting? • “I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers/ Could not with all their quantity of love/ Make up my sum. What wilt thou do for her? ” (V. i. 285 -287) – Declares his love for Ophelia. – Sincere or insincere?

Hamlet’s Acceptance of Fate • • According to Hamlet, fate allows him to find Claudius’ letter to England. According to Hamlet, fate allows him to escape the ship to England.

Hamlet’s Acceptance of Fate • “Not a whit, we defy augury: there's a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now, yet it will come: the readiness is all: since no man has aught of what he leaves, what is't to leave betimes? ” (V. ii. 233 -238)

Hamlet’s Acceptance of Fate • • • If fate exists, personal responsibility is eliminated In other words, if our future actions are predetermined, then we cannot be held responsible because it is not our choice to perform these actions. So if Hamlet believes his fate is predetermined, does he no longer believe in fearing moral consequences for his actions?

The Ending • • • Hamlet and Laertes each slash each other with the poisoned sword. The Queen drinks from the poisoned cup intended for Hamlet The Queen dies Laertes tells Hamlet about the King’s plan Hamlet stabs the King and forces him to drink from the poisoned cup

The Ending • • • The King dies As Hamlet is dying, Hamlet instructs Horatio to tell his story. Hamlet also names Fortinbras as the next king of Denmark The ambassador of England comes in to inform the King that England has fulfilled his “command”—Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. Fortinbras enters and orders a military funeral for Hamlet.

The Oedipal Complex? • Hamlet is informed in Act I that Claudius killed his father. – • Hamlet does not kill Claudius until the end of Act V. Hamlet discovers in Act V, scene ii, line 351, that Claudius is responsible for Gertrude’s death. – Hamlet avenges his mother’s death in Act V, scene ii, line 352.

The Oedipal Complex? • • • Why does Hamlet act so quickly? Is Hamlet avenging the object of his affection—his mother? In other words, does Hamlet avenge his mother’s murder, not his father’s?