2.5.3

Act 5, Scene 2: Key Ideas

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Act 5, Scene 2: Key Ideas - Fate & Order

The acceptance of fate and the restoration of order are key ideas in Act 5, Scene 2.

Role of fate in Tragedy

Role of fate in Tragedy

  • Fate has been a key concept in Tragedy since the dramas of Ancient Greece featured Gods that would interfere in human affairs and contribute to the downfall of the tragic hero.
Hamlet's belief in divine control

Hamlet's belief in divine control

  • After his wild adventures at sea, Hamlet returns to Denmark a changed man. He speaks to Horatio about his belief that human affairs are overseen and directed by a “divinity” that “shapes our ends” and that, while humans are able to influence their destiny, they cannot control it.
  • Hamlet appears to be more at peace with himself than when we saw him in Act 4, racked with doubts and self-reproach.
Hamlet's acceptance of death

Hamlet's acceptance of death

  • Hamlet has misgivings about the fencing match, sensing something is wrong. But he still agrees to it.
  • Referring to his own death, Hamlet accepts that “it will come” and that, in the end, we all must be prepared to face it: “The readiness is all”.
  • Hamlet’s acceptance of his fate makes him a more dignified and tragic figure.
*Hamlet*'s conventional structure

Hamlet's conventional structure

  • Hamlet follows a conventional tragic structure with the restoration of order secured by the end of the play.
  • The play ends in a bloodbath with the dead bodies of the King, Queen, Prince and Laertes all lying on stage. This ‘blood-letting’ could be seen as the necessary cleansing of the state of Denmark - needed to restore it to health.
Hamlet's final words

Hamlet's final words

  • Hamlet’s final words help to put his house in order.
    • He gives his “dying voice” to Fortinbras, recommending him as the new King who will restore order to Denmark.
Fortinbras' restoration of order

Fortinbras' restoration of order

  • When he enters, Fortinbras is appalled by the “havoc” (chaos, disorder) he sees in front of him and he directs the clean-up operation.
  • The gunfire which sounds at the end of the play marks the transition from old regime to new; from disorder to order.
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1

Introduction

1.1

Introduction & Background to Hamlet

1.1.1Introduction to Hamlet1.1.2The Literary Tradition of the Hamlet Story1.1.3Introduction to the Settings in Hamlet1.1.4Introduction to Social Issues Raised
2

Plot Summary

2.1

Act 1: Key Events & Ideas

2.1.1Act 1, Scene 12.1.2Act 1, Scene 22.1.3Act 1, Scene 32.1.4Act 1, Scenes 4-5
2.2

Act 2: Key Events & Ideas

2.2.1Act 2, Scene 12.2.2Act 2, Scene 2
2.3

Act 3: Key Events & Ideas

2.3.1Act 3, Scene 1: Key Events2.3.2Act 3, Scene 1: Key Ideas2.3.3Act 3, Scene 22.3.4Act 3, Scene 32.3.5Act 3, Scene 4
2.4

Act 4: Key Events & Ideas

2.4.1Act 4, Scene 12.4.2Act 4, Scenes 2-32.4.3Act 4, Scene 42.4.4Act 4, Scene 5: Key Events2.4.5Act 4, Scene 5: Key Ideas2.4.6Act 4, Scene 62.4.7Act 4, Scene 7
2.5

Act 5: Key Events & Ideas

2.5.1Act 5, Scene 1: Key Events2.5.2Act 5, Scene 2: Key Events2.5.3Act 5, Scene 2: Key Ideas
3

Character Profiles

3.1

Hamlet

3.1.1Hamlet's Speech & Mind3.1.2Hamlet's Heroic Status3.1.3Hamlet's State of Mind3.1.4Hamlet's Indecision/Action Taking
3.2

Claudius

3.2.1Claudius' Crime3.2.2Changing Impressions of Claudius
3.3

Gertrude

3.3.1Mystery & Hamlet's View of Gertrude3.3.2Gertrude's Character3.3.3Gertrude's Relationship with Hamlet
3.4

Ophelia

3.4.1Ophelia
3.5

Polonius

3.5.1Portrayal of Polonius & Treatment of Ophelia3.5.2Polonius' Spying & Death
3.6

Laertes

3.6.1Laertes' Popularity & Relationship with Ophelia3.6.2Laertes' Character Traits
4

Key Themes

4.1

Regicide in Hamlet

4.1.1Regicide in Hamlet
4.2

Madness in Hamlet

4.2.1Madness in Hamlet
4.3

Guilt & Punishment in Hamlet

4.3.1Guilt in Hamlet4.3.2Punishment in Hamlet
4.4

Settings in Hamlet

4.4.1Physical Settings & Historical Setting of Hamlet
5

Writing Techniques

5.1

Structure

5.1.1Structure of Hamlet5.1.2'Play Within a Play' Structure5.1.3Play-Acting Motif
5.2

Form

5.2.1Soliloquy5.2.2Comedy
5.3

Imagery

5.3.1Imagery of Corruption & Decay5.3.2Imagery: Healing, Performance & Costume
5.4

Language

5.4.1Word Usage & Hendiadys5.4.2Questions & Classical Allusions
6

Context

6.1

Social & Historical Context

6.1.1Elizabeth I & Succession6.1.2Cosmic & Social Hierarchy6.1.3Renaissance & Emergence of Humanism6.1.4Regicide6.1.5The Reformation
6.2

Literary Context

6.2.1Seneca Tragedy6.2.2The Revenge Tragedy
6.3

Performance & Textual History

6.3.1Performance History of Hamlet6.3.2Textual History of Hamlet
7

Critical Debates

7.1

18-19th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.1.1Introduction to Critical Debates7.1.218th Century Commentary on Hamlet7.1.3Romantic Commentary on Hamlet
7.2

20th Century Responses to Hamlet

7.2.1Freudian Response to Hamlet7.2.2Other Early 20th Century Responses to Hamlet
7.3

Feminist Readings of Hamlet

7.3.1Introduction to Feminist Criticism7.3.2Feminist Readings of Hamlet7.3.3Presentation of Ophelia
7.4

Marxist/Political Readings of Hamlet

7.4.1Introduction to Marxist Criticisms7.4.2Marxist Readings of Hamlet

Practice questions on Act 5, Scene 2: Key Ideas

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  1. 1
    What does Hamlet have misgivings about in Act 5?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Whose bodies lie on stage at the end of *Hamlet*?Fill in the list
  3. 3
    What are Hamlet's last words in the play?Multiple choice
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Act 5, Scene 2: Key Events

Hamlet's Speech & Mind