The scene opens with Hamlet informing Horatio of how he thwarted Claudius’ plans to have him killed in England. Hamlet switched the letter with one that instructed those in England to kill Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet feels no remorse as he believes their deaths were a consequence of their own actions. He does however feel sorry for the way that he has offended Laertes. He understands Laertes suffering…seeing it as being similar to his own grief.

A foolish courtier named Osric arrives. Having greatly flattered Hamlet, he invites him to a duel with Laertes in which Claudius has set a wager that Hamlet will win the bout. As the court march into the Great Hall, Hamlet asks for forgiveness from Laertes which is denies.

As the battle begins, Hamlet strikes Laertes. Claudius attempts to make hamlet drink from the poisoned cup, but he refuses. Gertude then takes the cup and drinks from it. The fight continues and Hamlet manages to wound Laertes with his own sword. Both Laertes and Gertrude fall.

Gertrude realises that the cup was poisoned and dies. Laertes is also aware that he is dying as a result of his own treachery and blames the king…

…Hamlet forces Claudius to drink from the poisoned cup. Claudius then dies, crying out for help. Hamlet then falls to the ground himself, exchanging a final forgiveness with Laertes. This absolves Hamlet of the sin of Polonius’ murder. Hamlet dies informing Horatio that he must live on to tell the story of all that has happened in the Danish Court.

The sound of marching echoes through the hall, and a shot rings out nearby. Osric declares that Fortinbras has come in conquest from Poland and now fires a volley to the English ambassadors. Hamlet tells Horatio again that he is dying, and urges his friend not to commit suicide in light of all the tragedies, but instead to stay alive and tell his story. He says that he wishes Fortinbras to be made King of Denmark; then he dies.

Fortinbras marches into the room accompanied by the English ambassadors, who announce that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are dead. Horatio says that he will tell everyone assembled the story that led to the gruesome scene now on display. Fortinbras orders for Hamlet to be carried away like a soldier.

Hamlet tells Horatio about what has happened in England and that he switched the note that instructed the English ambassadors to kill him with one that instructed them to kill Rosencrantz and Guildenstern instead. Hamlet proclaims that he feels no guilt for their deaths as he believes that they asked for it through their own actions. Hamlet also reasons that Claudius’ continued web of crime and lies means that there is no way that he would be judged for killing the King. Hamlet is now strong in his resolve to carry out the ghost’s instructions.

He that hath killed my king and whored my mother,Popped in between th' election and my hopes,Thrown out his angle for my proper life

As the fencing duel between Hamlet and Laertes gets underway, Hamlet attempts to gain the forgiveness of Laertes. He explains that he cannot be blamed for his actions. In response, Laertes states that although he can accept the apology, he will never forgive Hamlet for his actions or for the hurt that he has caused to his family.

Give me your pardon, sir. I’ve done you wrong.But pardon ’t, as you are a gentleman.

I am satisfied in nature,Whose motive in this case should stir me mostTo my revenge. But in my terms of honorI stand aloof,

Claudius provides the instructions of the bout, claiming that he will drink to Hamlet’s better health. Claudius also claims that he will place a very valuable pearl into the chalice.

The king shall drink to Hamlet’s better breath,And in the cup an union shall he throwRicher than that which four successive kingsIn Denmark’s crown have worn.

After scoring the first hit in the fencing duel, Gertrude offers Hamlet the poison cup to refresh himself. Refusing the drink, Gertrude then proposes a toast to her son. Claudius attempts to stop his new wife from drinking from the cup, however she ignores his protests and drinks regardless. This is to be the first death in a destructive scene.

Gertrude, do not drink.

I will, my lord. I pray you, pardon me.

Hamlet and Laertes resume their bout, although it is becoming clear that Laertes is beginning to doubt the whole endeavour. Remember that Laertes is a fundamentally decent person. He is like Hamlet merely attempting to avenge the death of his late father. Again like Hamlet he is being manipulated and influenced by an external force (in his case Claudius). Laertes is realising the danger of Claudius’ instructions. The bout results in both Hamlet and Laertes being left injured.

And yet it is almost 'gainst my conscience.

Having drank from the poison cup, Gertrude collapses and dies. Gertrude’s final words reveal that she is aware that she has been poisoned. Knowing that the drink was destined for her son she will in turn know that Claudius had attempted to kill Hamlet. Hamlet will now also be fully aware of his uncle’s intent.

No, no, the drink, the drink!—O my dear Hamlet!The drink, the drink! I am poisoned

Laertes sees himself as a mouse that has been caught in its own trap. He had set out a means of capturing Hamlet, yet has ultimately paid the price for this himself. It is in this instance that the eyes of blame fall upon Claudius. Hamlet, with the strength to act turns his attention to Claudius whose treacherous behaviour has been laid bare to the entire Danish court.

Lo, here I lie,Never to rise again. Thy mother’s poisoned.I can no more. The king, the king’s to blame.

Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric. I am justly killed with mine own treachery.

Hamlet finally gets his revenge on his uncle by presenting him with the poisoned cup and forcing him to drink from it. It is important to note that Hamlet’s actions in this final scene are driven by his own desires. He does not speak of his father or of the presence of the ghost. Hamlet is merely attempting to restore order to the troubled kingdom.

Here, thou incestuous, murderous, damnèd Dane,Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?Follow my mother.

Before he dies, Laertes reaches out to Hamlet and offers his forgiveness. Laertes had been enraged by the murder of his father, however he now realises the extent to which events in Elisinore have been determined by the manipulative force of Claudius and to an extent the ghost of the late king. Laertes believes that this forgiveness will spare Hamlet from hell.

He is justly served.It is a poison tempered by himself.Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet.Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee,Nor thine on me.

As Hamlet dies he instructs Horatio to remain alive in order to tell his story. He muses that death is so cruel that it marches too quickly, robbing him of the chance to speak himself. Hamlet predicts that Fortinbras of Norway will assume the throne of Denmark and he gives his approval to this. As he dies, the sound of the invading Norwegian forces can be heard approaching.

Horatio, I am dead.Thou livest. Report me and my cause arightTo the unsatisfied…. But I do prophesy the election lightsOn Fortinbras. He has my dying voice.

As Fortinbras arrives in the hall and surveys the scene around him, Horatio confirms some of the details of the troubling events in Denmark. Fortinbras declares that Hamlet deserves a soldier’s burial and claims that he would have made a mighty king. There is a tinge of irony here as Hamlet has never shown himself to be the ‘soldier’ that his burial would suggest. Despite this, he has succeeded in avenging his father’s death. The throne of Denmark has indeed been wiped clean of all the great sins of the past.

Let four captainsBear Hamlet like a soldier to the stage,For he was likely, had he been put on,To have proved most royally.