Analysis of Hamlet Act 5 Scene 1- 4

Theme to consider – Action and inaction – Appearance vs. Reality – Death and Corruption and
Revenge
Act 5 Scene 1 Theme to consider – Action and inaction –
Appearance vs. Reality – Death and Corruption and
Revenge

In the cemetery, two grave diggers discuss whether
the body should receive a Christian burial. The first
grave digger argues that because the dead woman
didn’t escape the water, her death was a suicide. The
second claims that if she wasn’t a noblewomen she
wouldn’t receive a Christian burial. The first makes a
riddle,” who builds stronger than the mason,
shipbuilder, or carpenter? Answer: the grave-maker,
whose “houses” last until doomsday.
The gravediggers point out the unfair treatment of
those in nobility, they point out religion is unfair
influenced by appearance rather than “reality” of
someone’s soul. They feel religion can’t be trusted,
and Hamlet’s earlier ideologies about religion and
death, are pointless.

Hamlet and Horatio enter, the first gravedigger Hamlet’s continued fascination with death comes in
throws up skulls he has found in the grave he’s contrast with the gravedigger that knows it best.
digging. Hamlet wonders what type of people they
were. The gravedigger comments that he took on this
occupation the day Old Hamlet defeated Fortinbras.

Hamlet inquires the length of time for a body to
decompose. The gravedigger hands him Yorick’s
skull, a court jester, he is shocked, as he knew him.
Hamlet realizes death claims everyone and says no
amount of make-up can hold death off.
There is an equalizer of all men: death and
decomposition, this is all man’s fate. Hamlet is freed
by the idea and Horatio encourages Hamlet not to
overthink – he has diagnosed his “fatal flaw.”

Claudius, Gertrude, Laertes, a priest, and other lords The priest unable to tell the difference between
enter in a funeral procession with a coffin. The priest appearance and reality, plays it safe.
refuses to provide further religious services as
Ophelia’s death is deemed a suicide. Laertes states
his sister is an angel while the priest howls in hell.

Laertes jumps into Ophelia's grave to embrace her Hamlet only seems to have loved her after she has
once more. Hamlet, shocked and distraught died?
at Ophelia's death, follows Laertes into her grave and
claims to have loved Ophelia more than forty-
thousand brothers could. They grapple
until Hamlet exits in a rage.

Act 5 Scene 2 Theme to consider – Action and inaction –

Appearance vs. Reality – Death and Corruption and
Revenge

In Elsinore, Hamlet finds a letter sent to R and G, R and G are duped again. Their sad fate shows the
stating once they have Hamlet in England, he is to be way plots and deception tend to widen and take those
executed. on the periphery too.
Hamlet says he has no sympathy for R and G, they Hamlet identifies with Laertes
gave up honor to curry favor with the king. He is
sorry to have fought Laertes who only wanted to
revenge.

Osric enters and tells Hamlet that Claudius has Osric is what Hamlet most hates – a man that values
wagered Hamlet can defeat Laertes in a duel. Hamlet appearance over reality.
agrees.

Horatio says that Hamlet will lose the wager, he Hamlet is finally at peace. He accepts death. Death
thinks he can win but has a bad foreboding. Horatio comes for everyone, so why not face it now? Hamlet
urges him to call it off, Hamlet states there is no use no longer plots, he choses reality over appearance.
trying to escape death, it will come no matter what.