Maynard Mack says that in the last act of the play "Hamlet accepts his world and we discover a different man." He has existed outside of the corrupt system, and yet, he has been unable to resist being drawn in. Fortinbras, appalled by the sight of the mayhem that greets him, "with sorrow" recognizes his right to wear the crown of Denmark, which Horatio will corroborate with Hamlet's words.įortinbras orders that Hamlet be given military honors, "with music and rite of war." He orders his soldiers to carry the bodies out, and the play ends. Horatio wishes him a gentle rest and turns his attention to Fortinbras and the English ambassadors, who have also arrived to announce that the English government has executed Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. With the words "The rest is silence," Hamlet dies. Hamlet tells Horatio to ensure that the Danish crown passes to Fortinbras. Hamlet tells Horatio that he is dead, and asks that Horatio "tell my story." Osric announces the sound of an approaching army, which means that Fortinbras has arrived in Denmark after attacking the Poles. Laertes dies, and Horatio rushes to Hamlet's side. The two forgive one another so that neither will prevent the other from entering heaven. Hamlet then goes to Laertes, who is nearly dead. In a fury, Hamlet runs the sword through Claudius, yelling, "Venom to they work." Before Claudius dies, Hamlet pours the poisoned wine down the King's throat.
Laertes reveals the murder plot to Hamlet and explains that the poisoned sword now rests in Hamlet's hands. Outraged, Hamlet orders the doors locked so that the King cannot escape. Hamlet sees the Queen fall and anxiously asks, "How does the Queen?" The King assures him that she is faint because of the blood, but Gertrude cries out that the drink has poisoned her. Hamlet hits Laertes with the poisoned sword.
Both drop their swords and, in the scuffle, Hamlet grabs Laertes' sword and Laertes picks up Hamlet's. The two fight again and Laertes wounds Hamlet with the poisoned tip. In an aside, Laertes expresses a reluctance to hit Hamlet, but Hamlet accuses him of dallying and presses for a third bout. Laertes tells Claudius that the time has come to hit Hamlet with the poisoned tip.
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