Act 5, Scene 2: Key Events

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Key Events in Act 5, Scene 2

Hamlet and Laertes engage in a fencing match.

Key events in Act 5, Scene 2

Gertrude drinks the poisoned cup intended for Hamlet and dies.
After Laertes and Hamlet are both fatally wounded by the poisoned sword, Laertes confesses to his and Claudius’ murder plot.
Hamlet kills Claudius before himself dying. Fortinbras will become King of Denmark.

Hamlet reflects on fate

Hamlet speaks with a tone of acceptance. He appears to have come to terms with his circumstances and recognises he cannot change his fate.
Hamlet: “There’s a divinity that shapes our end
- In recognising that a higher power (“divinity” = God) controls human destiny, Hamlet is no longer tortured by self-doubt. He reveals that he has rewritten Claudius’ letters to England to make them a death sentence for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern and tells Horatio of his “perfect conscience” at his actions, untroubled by any feelings of guilt.

Hamlet apologises to Laertes

Hamlet recognises that he has “wronged” Laertes, asking that, as a “gentleman”, Laertes pardon him and consider Hamlet his “brother”.
Hamlet: “Was’t Hamlet wronged Laertes? Never Hamlet. / …Who does it then? His madness…”
- Many critics have been puzzled and dissatisfied by Hamlet’s insistence that it was not he who “wronged” Laertes but his “madness”.

Analyses of Hamlet's madness claims

Considering that Hamlet has insisted that his madness has been feigned (an “antic disposition”), some critics see Hamlet’s apology as fundamentally dishonest and out of place with Hamlet’s insistence that the truth be brought to light.
However, other critics (such as A.C. Bradley) have argued that Hamlet is still not in a position to reveal the truth about Claudius’ guilt and that, at times throughout the play, Hamlet has lost control over his behaviour.

The Ending of Act 5, Scene 2

The play closes to the sound of gunshot.

Fortinbras' acts as Danish ruler

Fortinbras lays his claim to the throne of Denmark.
In his first act as ruler, he orders that Hamlet’s body be given a military gun salute.

Criticisms of Farnibras' assumptions

Fortinbras: “And for his passage / The soldiers’ music and the rite of war / Speak loudly for him.”
- Some critics have complained that Fortinbras assumes Hamlet to be too like himself – a warrior prince – and that the military funeral given to Hamlet sounds a false note.

Hamlet's military significance

However, as the heir to the throne, Hamlet would have had strong ties to the military - he would have later commanded the military.
He also proves himself a skilled swordsman in the final scene.

Significance of gunfire

The sound of gunfire marks the moment of a decisive break with Denmark’s recent “rotten” past. A new regime has the opportunity to restore order in Denmark.

1Introduction

1.1Introduction & Background to Hamlet

1.1.1Introduction to Hamlet

1.1.2The Literary Tradition of the Hamlet Story

1.1.3Introduction to the Settings in Hamlet

1.1.4Introduction to Social Issues Raised

2Plot Summary

2.1Act 1: Key Events & Ideas

2.1.1Act 1, Scene 1

2.1.2Act 1, Scene 2

2.1.3Act 1, Scene 3

2.1.4Act 1, Scenes 4-5

2.2Act 2: Key Events & Ideas

2.2.1Act 2, Scene 1

2.2.2Act 2, Scene 2

2.3Act 3: Key Events & Ideas

2.3.1Act 3, Scene 1: Key Events

2.3.2Act 3, Scene 1: Key Ideas

2.3.3Act 3, Scene 2

2.3.4Act 3, Scene 3

2.3.5Act 3, Scene 4

2.4Act 4: Key Events & Ideas

2.4.1Act 4, Scene 1

2.4.2Act 4, Scenes 2-3

2.4.3Act 4, Scene 4

2.4.4Act 4, Scene 5: Key Events

2.4.5Act 4, Scene 5: Key Ideas

2.4.6Act 4, Scene 6

2.4.7Act 4, Scene 7

2.5Act 5: Key Events & Ideas

2.5.1Act 5, Scene 1: Key Events

2.5.2Act 5, Scene 2: Key Events

2.5.3Act 5, Scene 2: Key Ideas

3Character Profiles

3.1Hamlet

3.1.1Hamlet's Speech & Mind

3.1.2Hamlet's Heroic Status

3.1.3Hamlet's State of Mind

3.1.4Hamlet's Indecision/Action Taking

3.2Claudius

3.2.1Claudius' Crime

3.2.2Changing Impressions of Claudius

3.3Gertrude

3.3.1Mystery & Hamlet's View of Gertrude

3.3.2Gertrude's Character

3.3.3Gertrude's Relationship with Hamlet

3.4Ophelia

3.4.1Ophelia

3.5Polonius

3.5.1Portrayal of Polonius & Treatment of Ophelia

3.5.2Polonius' Spying & Death

3.6Laertes

3.6.1Laertes' Popularity & Relationship with Ophelia

3.6.2Laertes' Character Traits

4Key Themes

4.1Regicide in Hamlet

4.1.1Regicide in Hamlet

4.2Madness in Hamlet

4.2.1Madness in Hamlet

4.3Guilt & Punishment in Hamlet

4.3.1Guilt in Hamlet

4.3.2Punishment in Hamlet

4.4Settings in Hamlet

4.4.1Physical Settings & Historical Setting of Hamlet

5Writing Techniques

5.1Structure

5.1.1Structure of Hamlet

5.1.2'Play Within a Play' Structure

5.1.3Play-Acting Motif

5.2Form

5.2.1Soliloquy

5.2.2Comedy

5.3Imagery

5.3.1Imagery of Corruption & Decay

5.3.2Imagery: Healing, Performance & Costume

5.4Language

5.4.1Word Usage & Hendiadys

5.4.2Questions & Classical Allusions

6Context

6.1Social & Historical Context

6.1.1Elizabeth I & Succession

6.1.2Cosmic & Social Hierarchy

6.1.3Renaissance & Emergence of Humanism

6.1.4Regicide

6.1.5The Reformation

6.2Literary Context

6.2.1Seneca Tragedy

6.2.2The Revenge Tragedy

6.3Performance & Textual History

6.3.1Performance History of Hamlet

6.3.2Textual History of Hamlet

7Critical Debates

7.118-19th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.1.1Introduction to Critical Debates

7.1.218th Century Commentary on Hamlet

7.1.3Romantic Commentary on Hamlet

7.220th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.2.1Freudian Response to Hamlet

7.2.2Other Early 20th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.3Feminist Readings of Hamlet

7.3.1Introduction to Feminist Criticism

7.3.2Feminist Readings of Hamlet

7.3.3Presentation of Ophelia

7.4Marxist/Political Readings of Hamlet

7.4.1Introduction to Marxist Criticisms

7.4.2Marxist Readings of Hamlet

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