Hamlet Act 5 Notes

• Hamlet starts thinking about dealth hence the graveyard scene. 
• Hamlet describes Laertes as a noble and Hamlet is shocked to find that Ophelia has died and Gertrude comments on how she thought Ophelia would have been Hamlets wife. 
• Laertes jumps into the grave in grief. Hamlet is appalled and jumps in after him and Hanlet tells Laertes that he can hurt him 
• Hamlet declares that he loved Ophelia while the Queen blames Hamlet for everything.
• Claudius tells Laertes that they will push on with the duel as soon as possible. 
• Hamlet shows his belief that there is a divinity behind mans actions and his new belief comes from how he got back to Denmark. 
• Hamlet now has his reasons to kill Claudius and give the four of them to Horatio. Hamlet also regrets his confrontation with Laertes because they are both on the same boat. 
• Osric enters to deliver the message of the duel to Hamlet. 
• The Dual: Hamlet apologises to Laertes and it is accepted, Gertrude drinks the poison cup with Claudius making a half hearted attempt to stop her, Laertes feels some guilt for what he is about to do, Hamlet and Laertes wound each other with the poisoned rapier, As an act of remorse Laertes tries to redeem himself by confessing on Claudius, Hamlet stabs Claudius with the poisoned rapier and makes him drink the poisoned wine, Before he dies Laertes tells Hamlet he does not blame him for the deaths of his family, Hamlet asks Horatio to tell his story to the world and names Fortinbras as successor to the throne of Denmark and the new ruler of Denmark has the final say in the play. 
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