Make Up Blog

The grand finale of Hamlet was chaotic and destructive, to say the least. All of the major characters had died by the end of the play, except Horatio. And even then, I’m not sure if Horatio can be considered to be a major character. Hamlet perhaps answers the question surrounding life and death posed in his “To Be or Not to Be” at the end of the play. When confronted about the challenge from Laertes, Hamlet calmly rejects Horatio’s advice of not dueling with Laretes by saying “let be”. What’s interesting about this is the fact that disaster and utter distruction would not have ensued had Hamlet listened to Laertes. However, Hamlet at this point in the play, has come to realize that life is fate and destiny. He belives that he has no control over what happens and that death takes everyone’s lives, some earlier than others. Hamlet is the underdog in the duel but somehow manages to fairly beat Laertes. Enraged by his father’s death, Laertes unfairly attacks Hamlet with the poisoned sword after he has already lost. Hamlet is doomed to die the moment the poison tipped sword slices him. Unknowing to this fact, Hamlet begins dueling with Laertes. In perhaps what might be considered to be a poetic justice moment, Hamlet switches his sword with Laertes mid way through their battle. Hamlet cuts Laertes, not knowing that he would kill him. Laertes reveals what happens to Hamlet because at this same time Gertrude has died from poison, which came from Claudius. It’s interesting to note that Claudius has killed a total of two people with poison. This is significant because Claudius’ preferred method of killing people is through the use of poison. This reveals that Claudius is a manipulative and sly kind of character, which we witness throughout the play. Also, the fact that Claudius “allows” Gertrude to drink the cup of poison is significant. Perhaps their true relationship is revealed because I don’t think Claudius could have let Gertrude drink the cup of poison had he really loved her. Although there is no indication in the play how much Cluaidus rejected he was against Gertrude drinking the cup of poison, the fact is Claudius doesn’t stop her. Combined with Claudius’ preferred way of killing people, this evidence indicates that Claudius manipulated Gertrude into marrying him. I don’t think Claudius ever loved Gertrude. Also, I think it’s highly ironic that Hamlet kills Claudius by forcing him to congest his own poison. All the hatred Hamlet felt for Claudius, is finally transformed into action as Hamlet violently forces Claudius to drink the poison. Although Hamlet and almost everyone dies, a sense of order is restored. Fortinbras should have been the successor had King Hamlet not taken the throne. In essence, order is restored as Fortinbras takes over Denmark.