DRJ#4 Hamlet, Act IV and V

These two acts put an end to the story and the ongoing conflicts between various characters. The only character that reminds me of anyone is Gertrude, she is a typical mother. Her feelings for her son never seem to be unwavering; this is something that I can relate to as I have two children of my own. It was very sad to see her affections for her son as he was fencing with Laertes, and then with her last breath warning her son of the poisoned wine.
Hamlet of course was a major character throughout both of these acts. He is first sent away to England, where Claudius was going to have him murdered, but Hamlet devised a scheme to go back to the castle. So we can see that he is very much sane and not crazy at all. Then with the sudden understanding of Ophelia’s death, Hamlet confesses to being in love with Ophelia. I wonder whether Ophelia would have still gone crazy and killed herself if Hamlet would have confessed his love to her in the beginning. I also wonder how much longer Hamlet would have delayed in killing Claudius had his mother not consumed the poisoned wine; this obviously was a big factor in Hamlets final action to kill Claudius. In the end Hamlet keeps his cool as though being okay with the coming of death, noting that he is being punished for killing Polonius.
The theme within these acts is revenge/friendship. Throughout these scenes we see friendships hold on such as that of Hamlet and Horatio, and the relationship quickly obtained between Claudius and Laertes. The revenge which was a constant want between many characters finally plays out within these final acts. Laertes completes his revenge when he cuts Hamlet with his poisonous blade and avenges his father’s murder. But before dieing from the poison Hamlet finally completes his and his dead father’s wishes by killing Claudius. Hamlet then goes on to tell Horatio that he wishes to have Fortinbras become the new ruler of Denmark.