HamletHamletby by

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

Act VAct V

Hamlet – Act V Scene IHamlet – Act V Scene I

As they dig, two gravediggers debate As they dig, two gravediggers debate about whether Ophelia should be about whether Ophelia should be given a Christian burial since it is given a Christian burial since it is believed she killed herself.believed she killed herself.Hamlet enters and asks who the grave is Hamlet enters and asks who the grave is

for.for.The men do not answer.The men do not answer.Hamlet muses over death and how brief Hamlet muses over death and how brief

and unimportant we all really are.and unimportant we all really are.

Hamlet – Act V Scene IHamlet – Act V Scene I

A funeral procession arrivesA funeral procession arrivesUpon seeing Laertes, Hamlet realizes Upon seeing Laertes, Hamlet realizes

the funeral is for Opheliathe funeral is for OpheliaGrief-stricken, Laertes jumps into the Grief-stricken, Laertes jumps into the

grave.grave.Hamlet jumps in, too.Hamlet jumps in, too.Hamlet and Laertes fight.Hamlet and Laertes fight.

Hamlet – Act V Scene IIHamlet – Act V Scene II

Hamlet confesses to Horatio that while Hamlet confesses to Horatio that while he was on the ship to England, he he was on the ship to England, he stole a packet of letters Rosencrantz stole a packet of letters Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were ordered to take and Guildenstern were ordered to take to the King of England.to the King of England.The letters were from Claudius, asking The letters were from Claudius, asking

the king to have Hamlet beheaded.the king to have Hamlet beheaded.Hamlet replaced the letter with one he Hamlet replaced the letter with one he

wrote, ordering the death of Rosencrantz wrote, ordering the death of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.and Guildenstern.

Hamlet – Act V Scene IIHamlet – Act V Scene II

A messenger arrives and tells Hamlet A messenger arrives and tells Hamlet about the fencing match against about the fencing match against Laertes.Laertes.Against Horatio’s advice, Hamlet agrees Against Horatio’s advice, Hamlet agrees

to the fight.to the fight.At the match, Hamlet asks Laertes for At the match, Hamlet asks Laertes for

forgiveness.forgiveness.Claudius puts on a show, rooting for Claudius puts on a show, rooting for

Hamlet in the fight.Hamlet in the fight.

Hamlet – Act V Scene IIHamlet – Act V Scene II

Claudius offers Hamlet a drink which Claudius offers Hamlet a drink which has been laced with poison (just in case has been laced with poison (just in case the poisoned tip of the sword does not the poisoned tip of the sword does not work).work).However, Hamlet does not drink.However, Hamlet does not drink.Instead, Gertrude drinks the wine, unaware Instead, Gertrude drinks the wine, unaware

of her husband’s plan.of her husband’s plan.The men continue to fight.The men continue to fight.

Hamlet is wounded with the poisoned Hamlet is wounded with the poisoned sword.sword.

Hamlet – Act V Scene IIHamlet – Act V Scene II

In the scuffle, Hamlet and Laertes In the scuffle, Hamlet and Laertes have switched swords.have switched swords.Hamlet wounds Laertes with Laertes’ Hamlet wounds Laertes with Laertes’

sword.sword.As they both begin to die, Gertrude As they both begin to die, Gertrude

announces that the cup was poisoned announces that the cup was poisoned and she is dying.and she is dying.

Laertes confesses about the poisoned Laertes confesses about the poisoned sword, declaring that it was Claudius’s sword, declaring that it was Claudius’s idea.idea.

Hamlet – Act V Scene IIHamlet – Act V Scene II

Hamlet stabs Claudius with the Hamlet stabs Claudius with the poisoned sword, then forces Claudius poisoned sword, then forces Claudius to drink the poisoned wine.to drink the poisoned wine.The king dies.The king dies.

Upset, Horatio wants to kill himself, Upset, Horatio wants to kill himself, but Hamlet pleads with him not to kill but Hamlet pleads with him not to kill himself.himself.Hamlet then asks Horatio to live to tell Hamlet then asks Horatio to live to tell

Hamlet’s story.Hamlet’s story.

Hamlet – Act V Scene IIHamlet – Act V Scene II

Hamlet dies.Hamlet dies.Fortinbras arrives, and Horatio tells Fortinbras arrives, and Horatio tells

Hamlet’s story.Hamlet’s story.The story designates Fortinbras as king.The story designates Fortinbras as king.Fortinbras vows to give Hamlet a hero’s Fortinbras vows to give Hamlet a hero’s

burial.burial.

The EndThe End