Hamlet Act V Summary (part 2)

Hamlet tells Horatio that he has replaced the sealed letter carried by the unsuspecting Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, which called for Hamlet's execution, with one calling for their deaths. Hamlet feels guilty for having behaved with such hostility toward Laertes. Laertes mirrors the image of Hamlet's passion to kill Claudius. However, Hamlet does not feel guilty about killing Polonius. According to Hamlet, is just so happened that Hamlet's chaos was carried over into Laertes's life. Their conversation is interrupted by Osric. Osric tells Hamlet that the king has made a wager with Laertes for Hamlet to win, when they fence. Hamlet asks Laertes for forgiveness. Laertes choosing not to forgive Hamlet until they are much older. however, Laertes accepts Hamlet's offer of love.

Te duel begins. Hamlet wins the first round, and Claudius offers the poisoned drink to Hamlet. Hamlet declines the drink, and instead, Gertrude drinks the poisoned cup. Hamlet is stabbed by the poisoned sword. Then, Hamlet stabs Laertes with the sword. Gertrude dies, exclaiming Claudius poisoned the drink. Hamlet furiously kills Claudius with the poisoned sword. Shots ring nearby. Osric declares that Fortinbras has come. Hamlet tells Horatio that he wishes for Fortinbras to rule Denmark. Then, Hamlet dies. Fortinbras enters, and orders for Hamlet's body to be carried away like a soldier.

Hamlet Act V Summary (Part 1)

Two gravediggers shovel out a grave for Ophelia. They argue whether Ophelia should be buried in the churchyard, since her death seemed like a suicide. Hamlet and Horatio enter. Hamlet asks the gravedigger whose grave he digs. After a few jokes amongst the two, Hamlet realizes that Ophelia is dead. At the same moment, Laertes enters with the priest. Laertes is infuriated with the priest because the priest doesn't want to bury her in the graveyard. He mentions that this is a "Christian buriel" and that Ophelia's sin makes her unholy. Laertes then leaps into Ophelia's grave and so does Hamlet. Hamlet begins to fight with Laertes. Hamlet cries that he would do things for Ophelia that Laertes could not dream of. The combatants are pulled apart and Hamlet storms off. At this point in the play, it seems like Hamlet actually loved Ophelia. Although, he actions previously, showed otherwise. Even Ophelia's brother and father warned her about Hamlet's false love towards her.

Hamlet Act IV Summary

Act IV begins with Gertrude telling Claudius about her encounter with Hamlet and how he murdered Polonius. Claudius tells Gertrude that they must ship Hamlet to England at once because, "his liberty is full of threats to all." Moreover, they need to find a way to explain Hamlet's action to the people of Denmark. Claudius calls for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to search for Hamlet. Elsewhere in Elsinore, Hamlet has just finished disposing of Polonius's body. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern enter, asking Hamlet where he placed the body. Hamlet accuses them of being spies in the service of Claudius. When in England, Claudius will have Hamlet killed.

On a nearby plain in Denmark, Prince Fortinbras marches at the head of his army. The captain informs Hamlet that the Norwegian is coming to fight the Poles. Hamlet is surprised and marvels that human beings are able to act so violently. Gertrude and Horatio discuss Ophelia's insanity. Ophelia enters, completely destroyed by her father's death. Furthermore, Laertes has sailed back from France, and has come with a mob of commoners. Laertes furiously wants to avenge his father's death. Gertrude informs Laertes that Claudius did not murder Polonius. In fact, they plan on punishing the true felon, Hamlet. In another part of the castle, Horatio receives a letter from Hamlet, that says he has been captured by pirates. Claudius and Laertes plan on killing Hamlet by having a duel. Gertrude enters with tragic news, Ophelia, mad with grief, has drowned in the river.

Hamlet Act III Summary

Act III begins with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern talking with the king and queen about Hamlet's enthusiasm for the players. Polonius intends to spy on Hamlet's confrontation with Ophelia. Hamlet enters, thinking to himself whether or not he should commit suicide. "To be or not to be: that is the question." Hamlet sees Ophelia approaching. Ophelia basically breaks up with Hamlet, and hands him love letters her wrote to her. Angrily, Hamlet denies having given her anything. He then bitterly comments on humankind and criticizes women for making men behave like monsters. The king and Polonius emerge from behind the tapestry. Polonius doesn't believe that Hamlet is insane. However, Polonius tries to find out again if Hamlet is truly mad with love. Claudius plans to send Hamlet off to England. 

In the next scene, Hamlet lectures the players on how to act. Hamlet tells Horatio the truth about Claudius. They both plan to detect any signs of guilt from Claudius during the play. The players enter and act out a play the depicts Hamlet's life, including when Claudius murdered his father. Claudius immediately rises and cries out. Hamlet and Horatio agree that the King's behavior was telling. After the play, King Claudius speaks to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern about sending Hamlet to England. When the king is alone, he expresses his guilt and grief over murdering his brother. A brother's murder, he says, is the oldest sin. 

In Gertrude's chamber, the queen and Polonius wait for Hamlet's arrival. Hamlet storms into the room. Gertrude tells Hamlet that he has offended his father-uncle, Claudius. Hamlet accosts her with a violent intensity. Polonius, who is hiding behind the tapestry, calls for help. Thinking it's Claudius, Hamlet stabs the tapestry and kills Polonius. Suddenly, the ghost appears and has come to remind Hamlet of his true purpose. Hamlet convinces Gertrude to keep his secret that he is mad. Hamlet exits and drags Polonius's body behind him.