Act 5, Scene 2 (Second Half)

Yep. Everyone dies. That’s a surprise. With so many ways that one might die in that one room, was there any doubt?  (Really?)
Perhaps the most hilarious death is the Queens. Just taking a drink, offhandedly. Oops! The king Claudius couldn’t say anything, because that would blow his cover! So thus, the reason why he got into this whole mess is then removed in his methods to secure his place from Hamlet. Who knew that this was really The Ironic Tragical History of Hamlet! (A good title as any.)

What change is there, really, Shakes, that a single poisoned rapier would take two three lives, unbeknownst to Hamlet (and especially how do they get switched in the midst of the duel?)? (Although, also, Hamlet doesn’t seem to think that this is enough and makes the king Claudius drink the poison as well.)

What more is there to say? Horatio should have been the one to inherit the kingdom, in my opinion. He’s the only honourable one of the bunch, esp. since he wants to get everyone in on what’s really been going on (when all is said and done). (Finally, someone who doesn’t exactly want to hide things from anyone else.)

292 Queen: No, no, the drink, the drink! O my dear Hamlet!
The drink, the drink! I am poisoned.
[Dies]

308 Hamlet: Here, thou incestuous. murd’rous, damnéd Dane,
Drink off this potion. Is thy union here?
Follow my mother.
[King Dies]

312 Laertes: Exchange forgiveness with me, noble Hamlet.
Mine and my father’s death come not upon thee,
Nor thine on me!
[Dies]

335 Hamlet: 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 th’ election lights
On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice.
So tell him, with th’ occurents, more and less,
Which have solicited – the rest is silence.
[Dies]

And thus all are dead. Interesting to note that the king Claudius really has no dying words, although the others do. Also, that Hamlet, although the struck first, dies last. Hmm.