"I loved Ophelia; forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum" Scene 1 p. 108
FINAL FOUR
This quote helps to further along Act V. This heavily displays the theme of indecision that progresses throughout the play in Hamlet's life. This is also the point where Hamlet directly challenges Laertes. This brings us later to the duel, and where the play ends. This is also an example of insanity throughout the play. In the beginning, we know that Hamlet says he is going to pretend like he is crazy, however at this point his sanity is genuinely questioned by the spectators. Hamlet's actions have quite literally drawn this woman that he supposedly loves to commit suicide. Instead of properly mourning or accepting his faults, he has a pissing contest with Laertes over "who loved her most".
“No, faith, not a jot; but to follow him thither with modesty enough and likelihood to lead it, as thus: Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth into dust, the dust is earth, of earth we make loam, and why of that loam, whereto he was converted, might they not stop a beer-barrel?” Scene 1 p. 106
FINAL FOUR
This quote shows Hamlet's reaction to death early in the act. He realizes that people eventually turn into nothing but dust. This is particularly interesting, considering his whole journey started after he spoke to his father's ghost. Hamlet realizes that class and power don't matter after death. In this exploration of nihilism, Hamlet speaks of Alexander but is really thinking about himself. After all, if one of the most powerful men who ever lived could not become more than dirt then what was Hamlet’s hope? Even if he completed his task and gave his father rest, they would all still be dust in a century.Hamlet alludes to a powerful figure like Alexander the Great to emphasize the truth of his claim. Hamlet’s attitude is very dark and sarcastic and he really broods over the meaninglessness of life.
"I am justly killed with mine own treachery" Scene 2 p.119
FINALIST
This quote is important because it directly displays the most prominent theme in our act: retribution. Hamlet's quote about Ophelia furthers the act and Hamlet's conflict within himself, but this quote shows the only example of honest, acceptance in practically the entire play. Laertes does not blame other people for his actions, but is the only person who can honestly take responsibility for what he has done, and accepted his retribution. The irony that he was killed with his own poisoned blade is the most direct example of retribution in the entire play. This goes along with many people's beliefs in this time period; that you will eventually get what you deserve from some sort of higher power.
“He is justly served. It is poison temper'd by himself. Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet. Mine and my father's death come not upon thee, Nor thine on me.” Scene 2 p. 119
CHAMPION
This quote is the champion for Act V. Both of the final quotes were said by Laertes to Hamlet after they were both destined to die. This is not particularly surprising, considering that the characters knew they had only minutes to live. This is the point where
“Alas poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio.” Scene 1 p. 106
Hamlet comes across the skull of of deceased jester that he was once close to. He begins to consider the frailty and brevity of life and the equality of all in death. The theme of mortality is personalized to Hamlet here as he knew the deceased. It develops Hamlet's deeper thinking as opposed to just his actions.
“Lay her i’ the earth: And from her fair and unpolluted flesh May violets spring!” Scene 1 p. 107
It is clear at this point that Ophelia meant alot to Laertes. He believes that Ophelia should be buried in a holy burial, with songs, flowers and the whole nine yards. Ophelia’s faithfulness and modesty is represented by the Violets. In act 4, supposedly her violets “withered”. Laertes wants to keep her “modesty” alive, when he says “May violets spring! Violets is a metaphor for faithfulness and modesty. While sad, the mood is rather hostile.
“If it be now, ’tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now." Scene 2
p. 116
Hamlet is referring to death when he says “it”. Basically he claims he isn’t concerned with the outcome, because death is inevitable no matter what, therefore he isn't concerned. If it doesn’t happen now it will happen later, if it does happen now it won’t later. Hamlet at this point is strangely comfortable with death. The repetition of the word “it”,put's more emphasis on the idea of death. The tone suggests Hamlet doesn’t care about whether he lives or dies.
“I’ll be your foil, Laertes.” Scene 2 p.117
Hamlet makes a show of humility, possibly praising Laertes and lowering himself in order to get his guard lowered. After all, he had earlier mentioned to Horatio that he had been in continual practice since Laertes left for France. But perhaps he hyperbolized there to boost his confidence and now is seeking an edge. Shakespeare uses the word “foil” as a double meaning. In one sense, it refers to Hamlet being the background setting for Laertes (the jewel) to be placed. But it also refers to how Hamlet delayed his revenge and Laertes sought it immediately.
“The King, the King’s to blame.” Scene 2 p. 119
In the context of this specific instance, Claudius’s corruption has led to his wife’s demise. In a larger sense, Claudius’ original treachery against King Hamlet is what has caused all the grief and tragedy since then. Laertes was equally responsible for the Queen’s death since he had been an accomplice to the poisoned plan. Interestingly, this could be a subtle allusion by Shakespeare to King Hamlet killing King Fortinbras and beginning the circle of retribution.
“But I do prophesy the election lights on Fortinbras.” Scene 2 p. 120
This is significant because a new king represents a rebirth of a kingdom, or country. After the whole royal family has died, a new king is needed. Furthermore, this exemplifies sons making atonement for their fathers’ wrongs. King Hamlet killed King Fortinbras on the day Hamlet was born. It becomes fitting, then, that on the day of Prince Hamlet’s death he would give the kingdom to Prince Fortinbras. Shakespeare uses the lights as a symbol of new power.
“Bear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage, for he was likely...To have proved most royal.” Scene 2 p. 121-122
This quote is significant because Fortinbras tells of Hamlet's virtue. He let's people know that Hamlet fulfilled his duty to his country by wiping out the corruption that spread across the country.
“Of thou didst ever hold me in thy heart, Absent thee from felicity awhile, And in this harsh world draw thy breath in pain to tell my story.” Scene 2
p. 120
This quote shows that Because Hamlet is about to die, he needs Horatio to tell his story about what happened in Denmark. A major theme that is present in this quote is mortality because even the main character can die from a simple poison. Horatio wanted to follow Hamlet to his death but when Hamlet said to carry on his story, it shows that Horatio will be the sole surviving character that truly knows what happened in Denmark.
“Does it not, think thee, stand me now upon- He that hath kill'd my king and whored my mother, Popp'd in between the election and my hopes, Thrown out his angle for my proper life, And with such cozenage-is't not perfect conscience To quit him with this arm? And is't not to be damn'd To let this canker of our nature come In further evil?” Scene 2 p. 111
Hamlet explains here the true depth of his hatred for Claudius. He killed his dad and took his wife, he took the throne from Hamlet, and on top of that he deceitfully attempted to kill Hamlet. At the end, he finalizes his commitment to revenge by saying it would be evil on his part to allow a man like Claudius to continue in his ways. Hamlet is convinced that Claudius deserves to die but the question remains as to if he will kill him or not.Hamlet poses these thoughts in question form, suggesting that he is seeking affirmation of this thought process. Even if they were rhetorical, he still shows the logic of why his revenge is justified.
“Let us haste to hear it, and call the noblest to the audience. For me, with sorrow I embrace my fortune. I have some rights of memory in this kingdom, Which now to claim my vantage doth invite me.” Scene 2 p. 121
Fortinbras’ entrance is timed perfectly so that all retribution takes place in the last scene. Ironically, he only has an unopposed claim to the throne because Claudius and Hamlet died. As a character, Fortinbras is the noblest choice because of how he earlier fought for his territories and wanted justice how his father was wronged. It is hard to say if Fortinbras actually felt much grief at the death of his enemies, but either way he wastes no time in making a strong claim to leadership of Denmark.
“I will my lord; I pray you, pardon me.” Scene 2 p. 118
Such a trivial defiance might not seem significant--but its significance actually lies in the small nature of it. Why would Gertrude defy the King in public to just drink a glass of wine? She could have known it was poisoned and wanted to punish herself for her wrongdoings, and/or she was just sticking it to Claudius because she was truly supportive of Hamlet. She maintains a very respectful tone while flat-out defying the King.
“I'faith, if be not rotten before a die-as we have many pocky corses nowadays that will scare hold the laying in-a will last you some eight year or nine year. A tanner will last you nine year.” Scene 1 p. 105
This statement realizes the fact that the rottenness of a ruler permeates the whole country. In this case, people decay faster due to the corruption of the king.This quote shows that the country is in decline and even the dead won’t last long until they turn to dust or decompose into the earth. This statement realizes the fact that the rottenness of a ruler permeates the whole country. In this case, people decay faster due to the corruption of the king.