The Final Scene

Act 5 scene 2
Hamlet reveals that whilst at sea he discovered the plot against him and
sentenced Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to death and damnation
He concludes that justice and conscience dictate that Claudius must die
Claudius courtier, Osric, invites Hamlet to a fencing match with Laertes; Hamlet
mocks Osrics verbal affectations
Despite grim intimations, Hamlet accepts the challenge. Before they begin to
fence, he apologises to Laertes
Laertes is the first to strike Hamlet with the poisoned foil, and in turn, he is also
fatally wounded with it
Gertrude defies her husband and drinks from the poisoned cup which Claudius
had prepared for her son
Dying, Gertrude and Laertes accuses Claudius and Hamlet kills him
In grief for Hamlet, Horatio tries to kill himself
Hamlet begs Horatio to remain alive to tell his story; he nominates young
Fortinbras as successor to the Danish throne
Fortinbras arrives and Horatio recounts a summary of the plays action
Fortinbras takes command and orders a soldiers funeral for young Prince
Hamlet
 Dramatic potential
This exciting dnouement, where action largely replaces
talking, has enormous dramatic potential
Its worth consideration ways in which certain of its
aspects can be staged:
a) Is Osric involved in Claudius scheming, or is he more of
an impartial referee?
b) Does Gertrude know the cup is poisoned before she
drinks from it?
c) When does Hamlet first realise he is once again
benetted round with villainies?
d) How do the courtiers react when hamlet kills the king?
e) Is Fortinbras entrance to be seen as something sinister
or a fresh start for a troubled country?
 Hamlets Development
theres a divinity that shapes our ends, rough-
hew them how we will
1. What do you make of Hamlets lines 4-11?
2. How does this compare to previous soliloquies?
3. What arrangements does he make for Rosencrantz and Guildenstern?
46-47. Why is this significant?
4. How does Hamlet feel about his actions? 57-62?
5. What justifications does Hamlet give for killing Claudius? 63-70. Do
you notice a shift in his language use in this section?
6. What is revealed through Hamlets attitude to Laertes?
7. How does Hamlet respond to Osric? Where have we seen this before?
8. How are lines 175- 196 evidence of Hamlets development as a
character?
9. What is Hamlets major concern in his final words to Horatio? How
does this add to your understanding of his character?
10. How do you respond to Fortinbras instructions for Hamlet? 375-7
 The Final Scene
How might the final events of the play be
interpreted? Try to think about how you could
read the ending from different perspectives.

Write at least 4 clear sentences offering different

interpretations of the ending.

Think about: Marxist, Feminist, Psychoanalytical,

Romantic responses to the play
 By the end of the play A kind of wild
justice? (Francis Bacon, 1625)
Claudius is isolated as the source of all
corruption and wickedness in Denmark
By the time of his death, Laertes has
pardoned Hamlet
Gertrude shows genuine affection for her
son, and publically defies her husband
Hamlet avenges both his father and his
mother, Laertes and himself
 Key Quotations
in my heart there was a kind of fighting/ That would not let me sleep.
(Hamlet, line 3)
Theres a divinity that shapes our ends,/ Rough-hew them how we will.
(Hamlet, line 10)
ist not perfect conscience/ To quit him with this arm? (Hamlet, line 67)
ist not to be damned/ To let this canker of our nature come/ In further evil?
(Hamlet, line 68)
If it be now, tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now; if it be not now,
yet it will come the readiness is all. (Hamlet, line 193)
Hamlet is of the faction that is wronged,/ His madness is poor Hamlets enemy.
(Hamlet, line 210)
I am justly killed with mine own treachery. (Laertes, line 287)
Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damned Dane, /Drink off this potion.
(Hamlet, line 304)
Now cracks a noble heart. /Good night sweet prince, /And flights of angels sing
thee to thy rest. (Horatio, line 338)
you shall hear/ Of carnal, bloody and unnatural acts, /Of accidental
judgements, casual slaughters, (Horatio, line 359)
he was likely, had he been put on,/ To have proved most royal; (Fortinbras,
line 376)
 Close reading
Two Assessment Objectives are tested in part A
of your Shakespeare exam:
AO1 (25%): Articulate informed, personal and
creative responses to literary texts, using
associated concepts and terminology, and
coherent, accurate written expression
Meaning ?
AO2 (75%): Analyse ways in which meanings
are shaped in literary texts
Meaning?
Top Band (Level 6): 13 15 marks
AO2 (75%)
Well-developed and consistently detailed discussion of effects
(including dramatic effects) of language, form and structure
Excellent and consistently effective use of analytical methods
Consistently effective use of quotations and references to text,
critically addressed, blended into discussion
AO1 (25%)
Excellent and consistently detailed understanding of text and
question with critical concepts and terminology used accurately
and consistently
Well-structured, coherent and detailed argument consistently
developed and consistently fluent and accurate writing in
appropriate register
 Language, Form and Structure
Language:
Diction
Sentence types
Punctuation
Sound effects
Metaphorical language
Rhythm and rhyme
Patterns of language across the play eg. doubling
Form:
Verse or prose
Dialogue
Soliloquy
Length of speeches
Structure:
Parallel scenes across the play
Tension
Play within play
Tragedy and its influence cf. Aristotle
Unities
Scenes and acts
Stagecraft
 Pair work
In pairs, you will be given an extract and must
prepare a response to the following question
in note form, that can then be used to teach
the class:
DISCUSS THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE FROM
___________, EXPLORING SHAKESPEARES USE OF
LANGUAGE AND ITS DRAMATIC EFFECTS
 Pairs
1. Act 1 scene ii, lines 62 Take thy fair hour to 125 Re-speaking
earthly thunder OLIVIA & FRED
2. Act 1 scene v, lines 42 Ay, that incestuous to 112 I have swornt
BRANDON & JOHN
3. Act 2 scene ii, lines 213 You go to seek the Lord Hamlet to 303 What
players are they? CHARLIE & KITTY
4. Act 2 scene ii, lines 490 Follow him friends, to 557 Wherein Ill catch
the conscience of the king BRENDAN & ELLIE
5. Act 3 scene i, lines 119 Get thee to a nunnery to end of scene
SOPHIE & EDWARD
6. Act 3 scene ii, lines 282 The queen your mother to end of scene
GWENDY & THANDY
7. Act 3 scene iii, lines 36 Oh my offence is rank to end of scene
CIARAN & FRANCO & SINEAD
8. Act 5 scene i lines 83 Theres another. Why not that be.. to 165
Prithee Horatio, tell me one thing BRUNO & EDDIE