Hamlet Act 5 Essay

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Despite death being inevitable, its impact on society allows for the world to learn a lot about itself. In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, the multiple deaths which take place in Act 5 exemplify tragedy to demonstrate the effects of secrecy amongst people and how it can lead to their demise.
Royal scandal is always flooded with complications which began due to one royal hiding something of extreme importance from another, which is exactly what happens in Act 5 of Hamlet. Claudius, the perpetrator who poisoned the king and marries his wife, is among the four main characters who die, all by poison. Gertrude is the first to die, as she celebrates Hamlet’s bought against Laertes. Her character is riddled with problems and two faced tendencies, …show more content…

Laertes was involved in secret plans with Claudius to murder Hamlet, and as karma goes, Laertes’ existence ceased. Had Laertes confronted Hamlet, he may have learned the truth about King Hamlet’s death, and may have been able to work with Hamlet to take the real enemy down, Claudius. Laertes’ choice to secretly work for Claudius put him in the fight, which backfired immensely on everyone involved. Ironically, Laertes and Hamlet exchanged their apologies and forgiveness once their deaths were upon them. This interaction demonstrates that both characters came to the realization (a little too late) that their catty actions weren’t necessary, and any problems that arose could have been sorted out through better means. By apologizing and forgiving, the men acknowledge that they committed wrongs in the past. Likewise, these actions also show that the two men had hearts more pure than their lives proved. Unfortunately for them, they would be remembered more for their tragic endings whilst on the verge of insanity rather than any good they had done. The secrecy that flooded their lives killed them, and would have regardless of what their lives brought before their death. They were killed in the same manner that the horrible Claudius was, without much honor if any at

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