The scene opens with Hamlet informing Horatio of how he thwarted
Claudius’ plans to have him killed in England. Hamlet switched the letter
with one that instructed those in England to kill Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern. Hamlet feels no remorse as he believes their deaths were a
consequence of their own actions. He does however feel sorry for the way
that he has offended Laertes. He understands Laertes suffering…seeing it
as being similar to his own grief.
A foolish courtier named Osric arrives. Having greatly flattered Hamlet, he
invites him to a duel with Laertes in which Claudius has set a wager that
Hamlet will win the bout. As the court march into the Great Hall, Hamlet
asks for forgiveness from Laertes which is denies.
As the battle begins, Hamlet strikes Laertes. Claudius attempts to make
hamlet drink from the poisoned cup, but he refuses. Gertude then takes the
cup and drinks from it. The fight continues and Hamlet manages to wound
Laertes with his own sword. Both Laertes and Gertrude fall.
Gertrude realises that the cup was poisoned and dies. Laertes is also
aware that he is dying as a result of his own treachery and blames the
king…
…Hamlet forces Claudius to drink from the poisoned cup. Claudius then
dies, crying out for help. Hamlet then falls to the ground himself,
exchanging a final forgiveness with Laertes. This absolves Hamlet of the
sin of Polonius’ murder. Hamlet dies informing Horatio that he must live
on to tell the story of all that has happened in the Danish Court.
The sound of marching echoes through the hall, and a shot rings out
nearby. Osric declares that Fortinbras has come in conquest from
Poland and now fires a volley to the English ambassadors. Hamlet tells
Horatio again that he is dying, and urges his friend not to commit suicide
in light of all the tragedies, but instead to stay alive and tell his story. He
says that he wishes Fortinbras to be made King of Denmark; then he
dies.
Fortinbras marches into the room accompanied by the English
ambassadors, who announce that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are
dead. Horatio says that he will tell everyone assembled the story that
led to the gruesome scene now on display. Fortinbras orders for Hamlet
to be carried away like a soldier.
He that hath killed my king and
whored my mother,
Popped in between th' election
and my hopes,
Thrown out his angle for my
proper life
Hamlet tells Horatio about what has happened in England and that he
switched the note that instructed the English ambassadors to kill him
with one that instructed them to kill Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
instead. Hamlet proclaims that he feels no guilt for their deaths as he
believes that they asked for it through their own actions. Hamlet also
reasons that Claudius’ continued web of crime and lies means that there
is no way that he would be judged for killing the King. Hamlet is now
strong in his resolve to carry out the ghost’s instructions.
I am satisfied in nature,
Whose motive in this case should stir me
most
To my revenge. But in my terms of honor
I stand aloof,
Give me your pardon, sir. I’ve done you wrong.
But pardon ’t, as you are a gentleman.
As the fencing duel between Hamlet and Laertes gets underway, Hamlet
attempts to gain the forgiveness of Laertes. He explains that he cannot
be blamed for his actions. In response, Laertes states that although he
can accept the apology, he will never forgive Hamlet for his actions or for
the hurt that he has caused to his family.
The king shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath,
And in the cup an union shall he throw
Richer than that which four successive kings
In Denmark’s crown have worn.
Claudius provides the instructions of the bout, claiming that he will drink
to Hamlet’s better health. Claudius also claims that he will place a very
valuable pearl into the chalice.
Gertrude, do not drink.
I will, my lord. I pray you,
pardon me.
After scoring the first hit in the fencing duel, Gertrude offers Hamlet the
poison cup to refresh himself. Refusing the drink, Gertrude then proposes a
toast to her son. Claudius attempts to stop his new wife from drinking from
the cup, however she ignores his protests and drinks regardless. This is to
be the first death in a destructive scene.
And yet it is almost 'gainst
my conscience.
Hamlet and Laertes resume their bout, although it is becoming clear that
Laertes is beginning to doubt the whole endeavour. Remember that Laertes
is a fundamentally decent person. He is like Hamlet merely attempting to
avenge the death of his late father. Again like Hamlet he is being
manipulated and influenced by an external force (in his case Claudius).
Laertes is realising the danger of Claudius’ instructions. The bout results in
both Hamlet and Laertes being left injured.
No, no, the drink, the
drink!—O my dear Hamlet!
The drink, the drink! I am
poisoned
Having drank from the poison cup, Gertrude collapses and dies.
Gertrude’s final words reveal that she is aware that she has been
poisoned. Knowing that the drink was destined for her son she will in
turn know that Claudius had attempted to kill Hamlet. Hamlet will now
also be fully aware of his uncle’s intent.
Lo, here I lie,
Never to rise again. Thy
mother’s poisoned.
I can no more. The king, the
king’s to blame.
Why, as a woodcock to
mine own springe, Osric. I
am justly killed with mine
own treachery.
Laertes sees himself as a mouse that has been caught in its own
trap. He had set out a means of capturing Hamlet, yet has
ultimately paid the price for this himself. It is in this instance that
the eyes of blame fall upon Claudius. Hamlet, with the strength to
act turns his attention to Claudius whose treacherous behaviour
has been laid bare to the entire Danish court.
Here, thou incestuous,
murderous, damnèd Dane,
Drink off this potion. Is thy
union here?
Follow my mother.
Hamlet finally gets his revenge on his uncle by presenting him with
the poisoned cup and forcing him to drink from it. It is important to
note that Hamlet’s actions in this final scene are driven by his own
desires. He does not speak of his father or of the presence of the
ghost. Hamlet is merely attempting to restore order to the troubled
kingdom.
He is justly served.
It is a poison tempered by
himself.
Exchange forgiveness with me,
noble Hamlet.
Mine and my father’s death
come not upon thee,
Nor thine on me.
Before he dies, Laertes reaches out to Hamlet and offers his
forgiveness. Laertes had been enraged by the murder of his
father, however he now realises the extent to which events in
Elisinore have been determined by the manipulative force of
Claudius and to an extent the ghost of the late king. Laertes
believes that this forgiveness will spare Hamlet from hell.
Horatio, I am dead.
Thou livest. Report me and my cause
aright
To the unsatisfied…. But I do
prophesy the election lights
On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice.
As Hamlet dies he instructs Horatio to remain alive in order to tell
his story. He muses that death is so cruel that it marches too
quickly, robbing him of the chance to speak himself. Hamlet
predicts that Fortinbras of Norway will assume the throne of
Denmark and he gives his approval to this. As he dies, the sound
of the invading Norwegian forces can be heard approaching.
Let four captains
Bear Hamlet like a soldier to
the stage,
For he was likely, had he
been put on,
To have proved most royally.
As Fortinbras arrives in the hall and surveys the scene around him,
Horatio confirms some of the details of the troubling events in Denmark.
Fortinbras declares that Hamlet deserves a soldier’s burial and claims
that he would have made a mighty king. There is a tinge of irony here as
Hamlet has never shown himself to be the ‘soldier’ that his burial would
suggest. Despite this, he has succeeded in avenging his father’s death.
The throne of Denmark has indeed been wiped clean of all the great
sins of the past.