Hamlet and Horatio enter a hall in the castle. Hamlet is in the middle of telling Horatio his experiences since he left for

England with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hamlet recalls that that the first night he crept from his cabin and located the cabin

of the two agents where he found the sealed packet containing Claudius' instructions to the English King. When he returned to his

cabin, and opened the packet, he discovered that Claudius had ordered that Hamlet be beheaded in England. Acting quickly he wrote

new instructions requesting the English king to execute the agents who brought the commission. The prince folded up the

instructions just as the original ones were folded, sealed them in the packet with the seal on his father's …show more content…
The king commands Osric to bring the foils, and then asks Hamlet if he knows the wager. Hamlet says he realizes the king has

wagered on the weaker side, but the king assures him that although Laertes has improved since he went to France, the king has the

odds. While Laertes choose his foil, Hamlet inquires if all the foils are the same length. Then he chooses his. Before the match

begins, the king orders that cannons be fired if Hamlet scores the first or second hit, and announces that he will drink a cup of

wine in his honor. Further, he will place a precious pearl in the cup to be drunk by the successful swordsman. After the sound of

kettledrums, trumpets and cannon, the king drinks to Hamlet and the contest begins.

After Hamlet scores the first hit, Claudius calls for a drink of wine and urge Hamlet to join him to get the pearl he has won.

But Hamlet refuses saying he wishes to continue. He achieves another hit which Laertes acknowledges. The king remarks to Gertrude

that Hamlet will win but she says she doesn't think so because he's in poor condition. Then to the horror of the king, …show more content…
Hamlet says that he is dying, and bids his dead mother farewell. He asks Horatio to report his story and his cause after his

death.But Horatio wishes to join Hamlet in death. Hamlet stops him from drinking the poisoned wine, saying that he has to survive

to clear Hamlet's name.

When Hamlet inquires about the distant sound of cannon shot, Osric replies that young Fortinbras, on his victorious return from

Poland, had fired a salute to the newly arrived English ambassadors. Just before Hamlet dies, he prophesies and approves the

election of Fortinbras as King of Denmark. Horatio then pays Hamlet a moving tribute.

Fortinbras and the English ambassadors enter. The Norwegian prince is shocked at the sight of so many dead bodies. The

ambassadors agree that the spectacle is horrible, and add that they are too late to report to Claudius that Rosencrantz and

Guildenstern have been executed as he requested. Horatio asks Fortinbras to give orders to place the bodies on view and to let

him report to the unknowing world how this tragedy came to pass. Fortinbras calls upon four captains to prepare Hamlet