Hamlet+5.2

5. Conscience (specifically Hamlet's conscience, since that was a motif throughout the play) is referred to several times in this last scene of //Hamlet//. After telling Horatio that he has sent Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to their deaths, Hamlet says, "They are not near my conscience" (5.2.65). Hamlet's conscience is so heavy right now that they are not of a worry to him; It's almost as though Hamlet has been through so much/has convinced himself so much/gone "mad" enough that his conscience is deteriorating. (I do not recall that he feels any guilt for killing Polonius?) At the same time, however, Hamlet dies by forgiving Laertes and continuing to be a loyal, true man - Maybe this is saying that in the end, Hamlet is the only one with a true conscience. Also, concerning conscience/guilt, Laertes says (while he and Hamlet are still fighting), "And yet it is almost against my conscience" (5.2.324). Laertes's conscience is setting in now as well because he realizes that he is only doing all of this/against Hamlet because of his father. And I was happy to see at the end that Laertes and Hamlet agree that "The King, the King's to blame" (5.3.351). These characters seem genuine and truthful at the end when Laertes says, "Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet" (361).

6. Hamlet and Gertrude's relationship is demonstrated when the Queen feels for Hamlet, despite King Claudius's support for Laertes in the battle (Laertes says, "Our son shall win," which kind of bothers me because Laertes is not Gertrude's son, Hamlet is, so how could the King just assume Gertrude was going to be faithful/supportive of just Laertes? (311).). She says, "He's fat and scant of breath./ Here, Hamlet, take my napkin; rub thy brows/ The Queen carouses to thy fortune, Hamlet" (5.2.312-315). In my opinion, this quotation argues against Gertrude's superficiality in that she actually cares for Hamlet. Otherwise, what would be her objective in just saying this? No one else (besides Horatio) really publicly supports Hamlet at this time..Maybe Gertrude knew about the poison (doubtful) and wanted to take it for her son/or maybe she wanted to free herself from the mess? While Hamlet is dying, he says, "Wretched queen, adieu" (365). I found this interesting, as well, because although one would think that Hamlet, too, would reconcile with his mother and say goodbye to her, Hamlet refers to her as "queen," not mother. He also calls her "Wretched," conveying his feelings for her (we could also relate this back to the Oedpius complex).

4 / 5. It's interesting to see Hamlet's progression of his perception of the value of life throughout the play. In this last scene, he discusses how he has nothing to loose and how he hopes Horatio will help carry on his legacy. He tells Horatio that he does not believe he will lose but either way, "it is no matter" (227). He then follows up by saying "Since no man of aught he leaves/ knows, what is 't to leave betimes? Let be" (5.2.237-8). Hamlet states that he is not afraid of death and whatever will be, will be. I may be wrong, but I feel as though Hamlet is finally coming to terms with the way life has turned out for him and will let things play out - he is returning to sanity? Hamlet then says, just before dying, "what a wounded name,/ Things standing thus known, shall I leave behind me!/ If though didst hold me in thy heart,/...And in this harsh would draw thy breath in pain/ To tell my story" (5.2.380-384). Hamlet clearly wants to be remembered, but I feel like this is the first time we see him acting humble.

8. I also wanted to comment on the fact that most, if not all, of Shakespeare's plays end in some sort of final statement of resolution made by an uninvolved (at least, not directly) peace-maker. Here it is Fortinbras. But even in this final statement, are things absolute? (I'm going to look more into this to comment on it later).