Hamlet—Act 5, Scene 1 As the scene opens we see a comic exchange b/w the gravediggers on what constitutes suicide. We also see discussion of church law that forbids funeral burial. Line 67—Hamlet is bothered by the gravedigger’s mirth, but Horatio allays Hamlet’s unease by telling him that custom has brought him ease.

Hamlet—Act 5, Scene 1 Lines —Hamlet ponders the cruelty that the reward of life is death. Hamlet and the Gravedigger talk. He tells Hamlet, whom he does not recognize, that Hamlet was sent away to England b/c he was mad.

Hamlet—Act 5, Scene 1 Hamlet finds the scull of Yorick, his childhood jester. This prompts Hamlet to lament that all life will eventually turn to dust. Ophelia’s funeral begins, and Laertes loses control of his emotions and leaps into her grave.

Hamlet—Act 5, Scene 2 Lines 40-62—We learn of Hamlet’s false document that he sent with R+G that resulted in their deaths. The play concludes with nearly every character dying. As Hamlet lay dying, Fortinbras arrives and is named king of DK, per Hamlet’s instruction