Summary of Act V
Scene I
Two gravediggers excavate a hole in the ground in preparation for the burial of Ophelia, who died from drowning. They debate whether Ophelia should be buried properly, since she seemed to have died from suicide. One then asks another “What is he that builds stronger than the mason, the shipwright, or the carpenter?” (Act 5, Scene 1, lines 51-52) and explains that the answer is the grave-maker, since “The houses he makes lasts till doomsday” (Act 5, Scene 1, lines 60-61). Afterwards, Hamlet arrives and asks the gravediggers the identity of the person that will rest in the grave they are digging. One gravedigger verbally jousts with Hamlet, explaining that the grave is his own, not a man or woman, and then finally admits it is for a former woman. Hamlet and Horatio observe the rest of the graveyard, finding the skull of a supposed “lawyer” and the skull of Yorick, whom Hamlet knew when he was young. Hamlet then realizes that even the greatest historical figures all turn to dust after death. He then observes a funeral procession, but does not realize until later that the deceased is Ophelia. During the burial, Laertes quarrels with a priest over Ophelia’s right for Christian burial rites and hugs his sister’s body. Hamlet leaps into the grave and fights with Laertes, claiming that his love for Ophelia was greater and “Forty thousand brothers Could not will all their quantity of love Make up my sum” (Act 5, Scene 1, lines 285-287). After the fight is broken up, King Claudius informs Laertes to patiently wait for the chance of revenge.
Scene II
The scene opens with Hamlet showing a commission to Horatio calling for Hamlet’s execution. Hamlet then goes on to say that he created a new commission, and proudly tells Horatio that the bearers of the commission were to be killed. He sealed the message with his father’s signet to make the wax seal. This leads to the death of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet then goes on to say that he is justified in taking his revenge as he compares Claudius to a canker. Osric comes to tell Hamlet that Claudius has proposed that Hamlet should fence against Laertes, and that Claudius has bet that Laertes will win. Hamlet agrees to fence against Laertes being confident that he will win. Laertes’ trip to france dulled his skills with the sword, and Hamlet believes that his actions are in the hands of fate at this point. Hamlet jests with Laertes and tries to put on an air of sportsmanship as they prepare to fight, and each select their weapons. Hamlet scores hit after hit in his bout, when Gertrude drinks from the poisoned cup. Laertes wounds Hamlet in the confusion before Hamlet takes Laertes’ sword and wounds Laertes in kind. Laertes’ sword turns out to be poisoned and ,enraged, Hamlet forces Claudius to drink the poison. Hamlet dies after speaking with Horatio to do justice to his own story.