Act 5 Study Guide
Plot Summary
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
English 12R
Ms. Kovics
Scene 1
After returning from England, Hamlet and Horatio come upon two gravediggers
working in the cemetery. The gravediggers are singing and making jokes about life
and death, and Hamlet is deeply disturbed by their lack of sorrow for the dead. One
of the gravediggers goes as far as tossing out an old skull in order to make room for
a new body. Realizing that the skull belonged to someone he once knew, Hamlet if
forced to confront the triviality of life and of social status.
Hamlet and Horatio catch sight of a “maimed” or bizarre funeral procession.
Realizing the funeral is that of the fair Ophelia, Hamlet fights with Laertes over who
loved her more. Hamlet, overwhelmed by grief and sorrow, does not understand
Laertes’ anger at him (and is unaware of the murder plot) but vows that he would
have done anything to prove his love to Ophelia before storming away.
Scene 2
Hamlet reveals Claudius’ plan to kill him in England in a conversation with Horatio.
He tells Horatio that he replaced his execution instructions with orders to have
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern killed instead. Hamlet shows remorse for his
behavior towards Laertes, revealing his respect for Ophelia’s brother. Their
conversation is interrupted by a courtier, Osric, who brings Hamlet news of the
fencing challenge from Laertes and Claudius. Hamlet agrees to fight, claiming that he
no longer cares whether he lives or dies since he knows now that death is inevitable.
Before the duel, Hamlet asks Laertes for forgiveness. Although Laertes does not
forgive Hamlet for murdering his father, he says that he accepts Hamlet’s apology.
The duel begins, and while they are fighting Gertrude takes a sip out of the poisoned
cup. Laertes scratches Hamlet with the poisoned sword, and in the midst of a scuffle
Hamlet stabs Laertes back with the same blade. Realizing that Claudius is
responsible not only for the death of his father but now also for the deaths of
Gertrude, Laertes, and Hamlet himself, Hamlet runs at Claudius and stabs him while
forcing him to drink the rest of the poisoned wine. Fortinbras returns from his
ventures in Poland, and it is Hamlet’s dying wish that Fortinbras be made King of
Denmark. Horatio assembles the people of Denmark to tell Hamlet’s story and
ensure that justice, at least verbally, is served.
Vocabulary
HEATHEN
REQUIEM
UMBRAGE
EDIFY
PALPABLE
ABHOR
IMPERIOUS
AUGURY
1. A person who does not acknowledge god
_____________________________
2. Hatred to the point of disgust
______________________________
3. Showing arrogant superiority to those one views as being unworthy
_____________________________
4. A song or hymn of deep mourning
____________________________
5. A feeling of anger caused by being offended ____________________________
6. To make understandable or to instruct in a moral or intellectual sense
____________________________
7. Capable of being perceived, being graspable _____________________________
8. Telling of things to come, an event/experience that foreshadows
____________________________
Tragic Resolution
According to the plot structure of a five Act tragedy, the final scenes
include some sort of catastrophe as well as a concluding sense of
resolution. Describe how each of the following events leads to a sense of
closure or the resolution of the text.
Hamlet realizing Ophelia is dead:
Laertes being stabbed by his own poisoned sword:
Hamlet asking Horatio to live and tell his tale:
Fortinbras being given the Danish kingdom: