At the outset of the play, Hamlet saw an apparition claiming to be his father. The ghost narrated the uncanny events that lead to Claudius's coronation as king. Apparently he killed King Hamlet in order to usurp his power and his family. Upon learning the news, Hamlet decided to purposefully act like a madman. Hamlet revealed this to Horatio and Marcellus w

After the death of Polonius the attitude of Hamlet toward death seems to have changed. In his conversation with the king, he said, "We fat all creatures else to fat us, and we fat ourselves/ For maggots." (4.3.22-23) Hamlet meant in saying this that animals are fed and raised well to keep people fat and healthy. In turn people are kept fat and healthy for the maggots in the grave. Hamlet's old view of death as something to be feared and questioned seemed to have been replaced with a new understanding that death came naturally, and one could not prevent it. He proved this by claiming, "Your fat king and your lean beggar is/ But variable service-two dishes, but to one table." (4.3.23-25) Hamlet's new view on death was that it brought everything to the same level. The beggar and king in life were opposites, but in death they were both reduced to nothing.

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The death of Polonius had severe consequences on the turnout of the play. It marked the beginning of a chain of events that eventually brought on the conclusion of the tragedy because his death indirectly effected Hamlet through Laertes and Ophelia. Driven into madness over the loss of her father Ophelia found comfort only in death. Although never directly stated within the text, Ophelia's death can be attributed to suicide due to her actions preceding her death and the manner in which she died. Before she drowned she sang sad songs in reply to how she was feeling, and the songs made little sense. Because of the ambiguity surrounding the cause of her death not all the Christian burial Rites were extended to her, and this infuriated Laertes all the more. During the funeral Hamlet revealed himself and after a brief fight with Laertes, he professed his true love for Ophelia. He agreed to duel Laertes and the plan that was hatched by Laertes and Claudius came to terrible!

fruition. On devising the plan, the king stated, "No place indeed should murder sanctuarize;/ Revenge should have no bounds. But, good Laertes,/ Will you do this?" (4.7.127-129) Laertes was to duel with a sharp, poisoned sword. Also, a cup of poisoned wine was to be drunk by Hamlet should he win the duel. It accidentally came into the hands of Gertrude, who unknowingly drank of the deadly potion. Laertes managed to scratch Hamlet with the blade before foils were exchanged in a scuffle. Laertes received a blow with his own sword and was therefore poisoned. He exclaimed, "I am justly killed with mine own treachery." (5.2.306) Moments later, upon learning of the poisoned wine and the imminent death of himself and his mother, Hamlet finally flew into action. He stabbed Claudius with the poisoned sword and forced him to drink the remainder of the poisoned cup. With his last breath, Hamlet bid Horatio to live and tell the tale, and to make Fortinbras king of Denmark.

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Approximate Word count = 1960
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)