Hamlet+5.2

"He should those bearers put to sudden death,/ Not shriving time allowed" (5.2.51-2) This quote shows the end of Hamlet's internal debate. The issues he previously held with killing Claudius are no longer of importance. He has come to his senses, his thoughts have been made clear, and all the issues he had prior to this moment he has no issues. He has decided to get over his doubts about killing his father's killer, and has come to his decision that no matter what, no excuses, he will kill his uncle.

"I here proclaim was madness" (5.2.246) Hamlet says this as he sees Laertes for the first time. He is apologizing for the murder of his father and yet not taking hte blame. He has claimed he was mad and therefore cannot be help responsible for his actions, but in Laertes life so many people have gone mad and not had to pay for their sins, ie. Ophelia, it becomes clear that Laertes will not accept this as an excuse. His father was murdered, mad or not, Hamlet must pay for his actions. He cannot claim madness and then decide he is also fine, if he is mad, he must be treated as a mad persona and sent somewhere to get his mind back, if he is not mad, he must pay for his actions as a murderer. However, the play pans out that Laertes accepts Hamlet's excuse, he agrees and allows Hamlet to be freed from guilt as long as it does not hurt his honor.

"I am justly killed with mine own treachery"(5.2.337) Shakespeare uses this line to help the reader understand the significance of murder and the importance of forgiveness. Had Laertes forgiven Hamlet when he watned to before they began fighting with the poisoned swords, Laertes would not have been poisoned. he would not be dying, however since he did not forgive and his intent was to commit murder he too must die. The same goes with all the characters in the play who attempt to commit murder, Hamlet dies, Laertes dies, Claudius dies. Gertrude also dies in this, and that rises as question, why would she die if she had done nothing wrong? Was she being killed because she was in fact in on the murder of King Hamlet, was she part of his death and therefore at least partially responsible and forced to pay the price?