Reflections on 'Hamlet' Act 5

Act 5 begins with the appearance of the 'Clowns' (aka gravediggers), who are burying a grave for Ophelia. The fact that they have been scripted as Clowns, however, could again be for comical value, and this comedy seems irrelevant to the tragic narrative that it occurring - what would a group of clown be doing in a graveyard? To make things seems even more out of place, one of the Clowns soon begins to sing, and upon arrival, Hamlet immediately questions this ("Has this fellow no feeling of his business?") The Clown then begins to throws up skulls from the ground - something that strikes as being quite irresponsible and offensive considering that they are in a graveyard. However, Hamlet does not show disgust, but is amused and imaginative about the skulls he has seen ("may not that be the skull of a lawyer?"). However, the tragedy of course remains in tact, but with a sense of irony. This is because Hamlet is not aware that it is Ophelia who has died and that the Clowns are preparing the grave for ("One that was a women, sir. But, rest her soul, she's dead"). Irony is explored even further, as the First Clown begins to talk of Hamlet being sent away, but he is not aware that it is Hamlet he is talking to. Rather than inform the Clown of this, though, Hamlet simply plays along with this, even asking the Clown questions ("Ay, marry, why was he sent to England?"). Is this him being 'mad'? Or is he enjoying hearing stories about himself and his madness? What I find tragic here is that I wouldn't have thought of these stories being forever associated with a royal figure like Hamlet to be found amusing the figure them-self, but obviously Hamlet does think so.

In fact, the entire setting and dialogue at this point in the scene are quite contrasting - to the imagination, the graveyard would seem quiet, misty and depressing, but Hamlet is sharing banter with the Clowns and reminiscing on the Skulls that he has recognized ("A fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy."), which all seems quite up-beat. This is all soon shattered, however, with the arrival of the Queen, King, Laertes, a Priest and the corpse of Ophelia. This is shocking new news to Hamlet, and to make things even more irresponsible, Laetres jumps into Ophelia's grave, in an aid to protect her from Hamlet ("Hold off the earth awhile, Till I have caught her once more in mine arms"). Hamlet then reveals that he "loved" Ophelia, but we cannot help but question weather this is actually true or not, based on his past, wicked behaviors towards her. Laertes and Hamlet are arranged to duel, and after Hamlet and Horatio exit, the King says that the grave will have a "living monument" which I think means because Hamlet has become somewhat of an icon for his madness, the grave he is placed in will be particularly special. Hamlet has returned to kill Caludius, but once again, he has been thrown off-course by learning of Ophelia's death and the challenge set by Laertes - the distractions are by now recurring tragedies towards Hamlet as he always seems to find a reason to delay what the ghost of his Farther told him to do, which now seems so long ago.

At the start of scene 2, we learn that Hamlet has been able to put himself in Laertes's footsteps and understands his revengeful nature("in my heart there was a kind of fighting that would not let me sleep"). He also reveals to Horatio that Ronsencrantz and Guildensterne are certainly heading towards their deaths on the ship to England - He is sharing important information before something tragic is about to happen, possibly in attempt to free himself from sins so that he will not rot in hell if he dies. This tragic seemingly tragic nature is interrupted by the appearance of Osrick, a character who is seemingly quite camp and humorous. His characteristics do seem quite irrelevant for the situation, but this comical element may have been placed in by Shakespeare to take the focus away from the tragedy for a few moments, giving the audience a final chance for laughter before tragedy strikes again("I thank your lordship, it is very hot").

During the showdown between Hamlet and Laertes, a large amount of tragedy breaks lose in what seems to be a quick amount of time. This is caused by the surrounding poison, which was intended to be used on Hamlet if the sword of Laetres should fail. However, the Queen drinks the poisoned wine, and this is soon followed by both Hamlet and Laertes being injured by the poisoned sword. Although this is a lot of tragedy to digest in what seems to be a matter of seconds, Shakespeare once again manages to include some comic moments through Osrick's commentary ("Look to the Queen there. Ho!"). It is in these moments, however, it is that Hamlet finally sets out to do what he has meant to since the start of the play - kill the King, by forcing him to drink the wine that killed his mother. Laertes also reaches death, but just before this, he able to apologize to Hamlet for being mislead by the King ("Exchange forgiveness with me") Although this forgiveness is questionable as Hamlet murdered his dad, and seemingly without sympathy, it appears that Laertes understands that Hamlet didn't mean to kill him. In is final moments, Hamlet tells Horatio to offer the kingdom to Fortinbras, who has suddenly arrived during his army's march ("He has my dying voice.").

in the end, tragedy was unavoidable for Hamlet. He finally avenged his Farther and killed Cladius, but this came at a price - his own death. Weather he was actually mad or not, I think, is summarized by Fortinbras, who says that he had been "put on, to prove most royal". I think that means Fortinbras understood that Hamlet had to go through with some damaging and dangerous plans to get what he achieved today, and therefore he should be remembered by it ("the rites of war speak loudly for him"). Denmark now has a chance to start over, under the reign of Fortinbras, but this still bares the question - how will future generation remember Hamlet? As a hero, never to be forgotten? Or simply, as being mad, with dangerous and damaging acts?