Post by kaitlyn on Nov 1, 2011 16:16:10 GMT -5
In the final pages of this act, I found it very interesting and ironic how Hamlet gave up his power to not only live, but to conquer his goal of avenging his father's death. Killing himself not only proved to the reader that he has isolated from reality and consumed by pressure of his inner conscious, but showed that he never really cared enough to avenge his father's death and rule Denmark. This action of committing suicide and dethroning his father's avenge and personal right to the throne was ironic. Hamlet tired so hard in the first four acts to prove that he was crazy to make people think that he was powerless. This action comes to a halt when he takes his own life. This sense of power is so quickly withdrawn from Hamlet's grasp. He simply hands all of his self-worth to Fortinbras, leaving nothing but a lifeless, worthless, and powerless soul watching from the sidelines. This action is primarily seen in Hamlet's final plea to Horatio.(Page 176 lines 358-363) " O, I die, Horatio! The potent poison quite o'ercrows my spirit. I cannot live to hear the news from England, But I do prophesy the election lights On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice. So tell him, with th' occurrents, more and less, Which have solicited-- The rest is silence. In his final words, Hamlet ironically gives all of his will and power over to Fortinbras. This is unlike the Hamlet in the previous four acts, and I found this change quite interesting and ironic to read in the closing lines.