Student Question
How is order reestablished at the end of Hamlet?
Quick answer:
Order is reestablished at the end of Hamlet when Hamlet finally kills Claudius, the source of corruption and disorder in the kingdom. Further, Hamlet persuades Horatio to stay alive, so he can tell the true story of what occurred. Hamlet names Fortinbras his heir, assuring an orderly succession. Finally, Fortinbras accepts the Danish throne and honors Hamlet.
Order is restored at the end of act 5, scene 2 in several ways. First, all of Claudius's plots to finish off Hamlet come to light: The dying Gertrude tells Hamlet the cup of wine intended for him that she drank from was poisoned. The wounded Laertes informs Hamlet that, at Claudius's suggestion, he fought Hamlet with a poison-tipped rapier. Both he and Hamlet have been cut by it, meaning both will die. The two rivals forgive each other for what each has done.
Hamlet kills Claudius, another and very important step in restoring order to a kingdom and court that have been corrupted since Claudius secretly murdered Hamlet's father and then took the throne.
Hamlet also helps ensure that order will continue after his death. First, he persuades Horatio , who wishes to commit suicide, to stay alive so that he can pass on the true story of...
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what occurred. Second, Hamlet namesFortinbras his heir as the king of Denmark, knowing Horatio will pass on this request. This endorsement will allow for the orderly transfer of power to a new king. Finally, Fortinbras himself arrives. He helps to reestablish order by accepting the throne and by ordering an honorable and military burial for Hamlet, calling him "most royal."
In Hamlet, how is the moral order restored?
I would disagree that all the characters die because they have done something wrong.Many times in life and literature that reflects life, innocent people die. Ophelia is definitely an innocent; she dies. Hamlet is not moved to action, yet he is a brave, noble son. He dies. Polonious may be a bit of a fool, but he is not evil. He dies. Laertes is urged in on the plot to kill Hamlet out of revenge for his father's death, yet he is not evil. He dies. That brings us to Claudius, who, much like Shakespeare's other villains, cannot control his ambition and is morally bankrupt. In his desire for power, the crown, and the Queen, he will commit any atrocity. Gertrude is seemingly unaware of his nature, yet very guilty of a marriage a mere two months after the death of her husband. Your answer really lies in your question: When the leader of a country is morally corrupt, that corruption effects the state. Thus, when Claudius and Gertrude die, the land is cleansed of treachery and moral order is restored. What makes this play heartwrenching is the death of the innocents who also fall.
In Hamlet, evil is unleashed through the horrible deeds of Claudius, the brother of the king, who murders him to steal his crown and his wife. Gertrude, Hamlet's mother partners with evil, Claudius, by marrying him very quickly after her husband's "apparent" natural death.
When evil is unleashed, it must be conquered. Very often this is accomplished with the death of the instruments of evil, as well as many innocent victims. Once evil is conquered, as when Hamlet avenges his father's death and kills King Claudius, the natural order of the environment is restored.
Moral order is restored, when evil is subdued and right thinking once again rules the day. So, even though there are many deaths in Hamlet, including the protagonist, he as a sacrifice, the kingdom of Denmark is saved from the misguided reign of King Claudius who stole the throne through deception and murder. Hamlet makes things right.
In this passage he calls evil by its name and it is conquered. Hamlet, having restored order in Denmark, dies a hero.
Ham. Here, thou incestuous, murderous,
damned Dane,
Drink off this potion;—is thy union here?
Follow my mother. [KING dies.
Heaven make thee free of it! I follow
thee.
I am dead, Horatio. Wretched queen, adieu!