Jul 25, 2008

Hamlet | Act V, Scene 2 Summary and Analysis

Summary
Hamlet explains to Horatio how he managed to switch the letter which Rosencrantz and Guildenstern carried, ordering Hamlet’s death, for one which ordered their own upon their arrival in England. Because of how smoothly this “changling” occurred, Hamlet expresses his belief that fate, or some “divinity,” works out the details of our lives even when we have only a rough plan. Hamlet says that he feels no guilt for ordering the deaths of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, since they so eagerly pursued his under Claudius’ direction. And is it not now incumbent upon him,...