Act V: The Resolution
While the beginning of the act seems slow (there's a lot of talk
in Scene 1), every conflict in the play is somehow resolved by
the end of Scene 2. This Act is fast.
You'll notice that some of the resolutions seem a bit too abrupt,
but you might appreciate how the accelerated pacing adds to
the fear and pity necessary to tragedy.
That being said, take time to note the essential "ingredients" of
tragedy in this last act:
Who is the tragic hero and why?
All students
o Tragic flaw?
o Downfall of individual and society?
In what way does he and the audience reach a catharsis?
o When does this moment occur? Why?
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Consider the following issues and dilemmas we have
been trying to resolve throughout the play:
Truth and Trustworthiness: Can you know the truth about anything? Is it
worthwhile to constantly test how trustworthy an idea or a person is?
Loyalty and Betrayal: How does one prove one's loyalty? What is an appropriate
cost for betrayal?
Duty and Obligation: What does one owe to another person? How much can
duty demand of a person, especially if it's at the expense of the individual?
Familial Love: What are the appropriate roles in a family? How are those roles
enforced and valued?
Political Manipulations: Is there any honor in a political court? Or are there only
constant attempts to win favor and play games?
Sanity and Madness: Is there an objective difference between the two concepts,
or is it all a matter of opinion and perspective? Is there less truth in madness than
in sanity?
Acting and Reality: Is acting less true or valuable than reality? Can it
communicate meaning more powerfully?
Life and Death: What makes life more valuable than death? What gives us
confidence in the meaning of our current actions--and the legacy of those actions-apart from what we have been taught to believe (ideas of Heaven and Hell, etc.)?
Revenge and Justice: Can a person achieve justice through revenge? Is revenge
ignoble by definition, or can it be noble?
Scene 1: Two Gravediggers (Clown
and Other)
Group 1
The gravediggers discuss the burial of Ophelia.
What is their problem with the nature of her death and her
burial?
What social critique is made when the Other gravedigger
notes, "If this had not been a gentlewoman, she should have
been buried out o'Christian burial"?
The opening of this scene is traditionally regarded as comic
relief.
What is comic relief and its purpose?
In what ways is the exchange between the two gravediggers
funny?
How is the discussion relevant to the more serious themes
and issues of the play?
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Scene 1: Hamlet and Horatio Group 1
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Hamlet enters upon the scene to remark on the universality
and anonymity of death.
o What language and syntax does he use to marvel at the
effects of death?
o Is this different from or similar to his conversation with
the king in Act IV (IV.3:19-30)? How?
Hamlet's exchange with the gravediggers reveals some
facts about the situation (Denmark considers Hamlet mad,
Hamlet is about 30 years old, etc.), but it also offers an
opportunity to see Hamlet as a caring, empathetic person
(not a vengeful monster).
o How does the language and tone of Hamlet's reaction to
Yorick's skull characterize him?
o How does Hamlet's consideration of Alexander the
Scene 1: Ophelia and Grief
Group 1
2
The Doctor has ruled that Ophelia's
"doubtful" death should result in an
"unsanctified" burial, if not for the king's
interference.
o How does Laertes react to news that
his sister's death is considered a
suicide? What does this reveal about
their relationship?
o How does Hamlet react to the news?
o How does Gertrude respond? What
does this reveal about their
relationship?
Scene 1: Hamlet's Grief
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When Hamlet emerges to confront Laertes
and grieve for Ophelia, he announces
himself as "Hamlet, the Dane."
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Group 2
What is the effect of Hamlet announcing himself as
though he were king?
Why might have Shakespeare chosen this moment
for Hamlet to assume this attitude?
Hamlet believes he has the right to "fight
with [Laertes]...until [his] eyelids will no
longer wag" because he loved Ophelia so
dearly.
o
Do his speech, attitude, and actions in this exchange
support this claim? Be specific.
Scene 2: Hamlet and Horatio Group 23
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The scene begins in medias res (specifically, in the middle
of a conversation) in which Hamlet explains how he
separated himself from Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
o He introduces a new attitude of acceptance and higher power: "There's a
divinity that shapes our ends,/ Rough-hew them how we will." What does he
mean?
How does Hamlet separate himself from his former friends?
o Hamlet uses his father's seal as though he were the king: in what way is this
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troubling or appropriate?
Does Hamlet feel any guilt for his actions? Find evidence to support your
answer.
Osric, a new courtier, delivers news of Claudius's plan for
Laertes and Hamlet to fight.
o What is Hamlet's attitude towards Osric? Is this consistent with Hamlet's
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attitude towards all courtiers?
What is Hamlet's attitude towards Laertes?
Scene 2: Hamlet's Acceptance Group 2
Horatio does not believe that Hamlet has the skill to best
Laertes in the fencing match: Hamlet believes that he "shall
win at the odds."
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Shouldn't Hamlet suspect that Claudius is up to no good? What does his
attitude in regards to this match suggest about a shift in character?
Consider Hamlet's last private words to Horatio: "There is
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 of
aught he leaves knows, what is't to leave betimes? Let be."
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Translate this section into modern prose.
Identify Hamlet's tone.
Explain how this reflects on Hamlet's personal situation.
Explain how this is a philosophical reflection on the state of all humankind.
Scene 2: The Fight, The Folly Group 3
Hamlet apologizes to Laertes, blaming his madness for any
action that harmed him (and his family). Laertes
demands more satisfaction than an apology.
Is Hamlet sincere? What does this indicate about
Hamlet's thoughts about his previous actions and
sanity?
Is Laertes justified in requiring more than an apology?
What does this say about justice and revenge?
The contest begins! And so does the plot...
Why might Shakespeare portray Hamlet and Laertes as
being evenly matched in skill?
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Group 3
Scene 2: The Poisoned Cup
The King plants a poisoned pearl in a wine cup and offers it
to Hamlet when Hamlet wins a hit against Laertes. What
dramatic irony!
What prevents Claudius's plan from working
immediately?
Gertrude really ruins Claudius's plan by drinking the cup
in honor of her son. What might this final act reveal
about her loyalties to her husband and son?
What do Claudius and Laertes do when they see that
Gertrude has been poisoned instead of Hamlet? How
does this reflect on their characters?
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Group 3
Scene 2: The Poisoned Foil
Both Laertes and Hamlet are pricked by the
poisoned foil (because their foils are switched
in a scuffle). Laertes's imminent death
prompts him to reveal Claudius's guilt in the
poisoning.
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How does Laertes's response--"I am justly killed with
mine own treachery" as well as his explanation to
Hamlet (V.2:296-303, 310-314)--reflect on his character
and attitude towards political scheming, revenge, etc.?
How does Hamlet's response--"Then venom, to thy
work" and his accusation of his uncle (V.2.308-310)-reflect on his character and attitude towards political
Group 4
Scene 2: Hamlet's History
Hamlet famously charges Horatio with the task of telling his
story once he is dead: "Horatio, I am dead;/ Thou livest;
report me and my cause aright/ To the unsatisfied."
Given his preoccupation with life, death, and the dead
(think Alexander here), what is Hamlet really asking
Horatio to do that he cannot do once he has died?
Horatio would rather commit suicide as an act of loyalty,
being "more an antique Roman than a Dane," but
Hamlet stops him again (V.2:325-332).
In what way might Hamlet's order validate the power of
life over death? How might it give meaning to life after
death?
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Group 4
Scene 2: Fortinbras (wait, who?)
Hamlet doesn't die without saying that his "election
lights/on Fortinbras": in other words, he wants Fortinbras
to be king next. He finishes his life with the phrase "the
rest is silence."
In what ways is it appropriate for Fortinbras to be the
next king? Does he deserve it (consider his claim for
revenge)? Does he have kingly qualities (or qualities
that Hamlet lacked)?
What is significant about Hamlet's last words? How do
his words relate to his previous speeches about life and
death?
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Group 4
Scene 2: The Very, Very End
The scene concludes with all bodies being displayed so
Horatio's explanation can "presently [be] performed,/ Even
while men's minds are wild, lest more mischance/ On plots
and errors happen": in other words, he'll explain what
happens before anyone further misunderstands what
Hamlet did and why he did it.
Everyone immediately bows to Fortinbras and Horatio's
orders: what does this suggest about the nature of the
court and the courtiers? What do political courts require
(and apparently crave)?
While Horatio has yet to explain the events to everyone
else, we (the audience) just viewed/read those events!
Why do you think Shakespeare ends essentially where he
began? What does it mean to insist on an accurate story
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