Jul 6, 2008

Hamlet | Act V, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis

New Characters
Two Clowns: rustics who are digging Ophelia’s grave

Doctor of Divinity: priest who presides at Ophelia’s burial

Summary
The two rustics discuss the particulars of Ophelia’s death and burial. The coroner has ruled that she shall have a Christian burial, which would mean that her death was accidental. But the men believe that Ophelia must have drowned herself, and suicide would prevent her from having a Christian burial. They decide that because she is a gentlewoman, she—like her class—is more privileged to drown or hang herself than are her...

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Hamlet | Act V, Scene 1 Summary and Analysis

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