Act V, Scene ii Questions

4. How does the impending duel with Laertes complete Hamlet's

concept of death that has been developing through the play?

Hamlet finally realises firsthand the nothingness that exists life ends. He has
also faced the death of someone he loved. He says that, since no one really
understands or values life, it is not so difficult to leave it. He also realizes that
death is inevitable ("if it be not now, yet it will come,").

5. Why does Hamlet apologize to Laertes?

Hamlet is a gentleman and a man of integrity, and he believes that Laertes is

as well. A Catholic undergoes certain sacrements before they die like
confession and penance, etc. The ghost of Hamlet's father complains that he
was not able to undergo these sacraments before he died, because being
murdered was an unnatural death. Hamlet wants to avenge his father's
death; however, he also wants to be able to die forgiven for all that he done
and conspired to do, therefore he apologizes to Laertes before their duel.

6. Explain how each character dies in the end.

Gertrude drinks from a poisoned goblet that was intended for Hamlet, Hamlet
is struck by Laertes' poisoned blade, swords are changed so that Hamlet has
the poison one and so he unknowingly strikes Laertes with it, then before
Hamlet dies he kills Claudius with the poisoned blade and forces the leftover
poison down his throat. Horatio is one of the only left alive to tell Hamlet's
tale.

7. Why does the play end with such bloodshed and death?

Every character is brought to justice or acheives revenge through the deaths

of the others. Hamlet avenges his father by killing Claudius, who is
responsible for the deaths of Gertrude, Laertes, and Hamlet. Laertes avenges
his father's death (however he avenges him through Claudius). Everyone had
to be killed for revenge to be completed for each character, for Hamlet to
complete his mission, and for their to be justice for everyone.

8. What is significant about the fact that Fortinbras delievers the

last lines of the play?

Fortinbras is Hamlet's foil character (opposite), and by him taking the reign of
Denmark at the end of the play, he is able to obtain the position that Hamlet
was denied (King of Denmark). Also, it symbolizes the switching of powers
within Denmark as well as the new allience with Fortinbras' people.