This scene is a bit of a comic relief to lighten the situation. Hamlet's encounter with the gravedig
ger explains the nature of death and is a turning point in Hamlet's character. The structure serves
to move Hamlet and the audience closer to the realization that death is inevitable and universal. Th
is encounter provides information of Hamlet's return from England and sets the stage for Hamlet's di
scovery of Ophelia's death. This grants him a realistic outlook on the nature of death and his own f
ate. Up to this point Hamlet had concentrated on doing what his fathers ghost had prescribed. The le
sson of the graveyard scene is that death is eventually inevitable. Having hamlet learn this lesson
, he is more passive of his own fate and allows him to take on whatever his fate will bring. As the
graveyard scene continues, hamlet's mood is in wonder and pity. He notes that the gravedigger striki
ng a women's skull and comments, " here's a fine revolution." When Hamlet arrives on the scene he is
shocked by the insensitive remarks made by the gravedigger. Then he reflects how it does not matter
who you are in life, you will end up as a "quintessence of dust." The mood changes dramatically as
Hamlet is confronted with Yorick's skull , his childhood friend. Suddenly Hamlets takes an interest
in the dead that was not present with the gravedigger. The difference between the other bones and Yo
rick's skull is shown by Hamlet's statement, "I knew him, Horatio." Death becomes personal to Hamlet
as he holds Yorick's skull. His speech becomes more empathetic. He recognizes the similarities betw
een Yorick's death and his own inevitable end. He says, "how abhorred in my imagination it is." The
thought of his death causes him to feel sick to his stomach. This realization sets the stage for his
grief of Ophelia's death. Hamlet's initial cry for revenge, "now to my word...I have sworn't" chang
es to, "to be or not to be," and finally, "let be." He has passed through a cycle of emotions and fi
rmly is resigned to "what ever will be , will be." The encounter with the gravedigger is clearly a t
urning point for Hamlet in which he realizes the two truths, which are the theme of the play; death
is universal and inevitable.this scene comic relief lighten situation hamlet encounter with gravedig
ger explains nature death turning point hamlet character structure serves move hamlet audience close
r realization that death inevitable universal this encounter provides information return from englan
d sets stage discovery ophelia death this grants realistic outlook nature fate point concentrated do
ing what fathers ghost prescribed lesson graveyard scene that eventually inevitable having learn les
son more passive fate allows take whatever fate will bring graveyard scene continues mood wonder pit
y notes that gravedigger striking women skull comments here fine revolution when arrives shocked ins
ensitive remarks made gravedigger then reflects does matter life will quintessence dust mood changes
dramatically confronted with yorick skull childhood friend suddenly hamlets takes interest dead pre
sent with difference between other bones yorick skull shown statement knew horatio becomes personal
holds yorick speech becomes more empathetic recognizes similarities between inevitable says abhorred
imagination thought causes feel sick stomach realization sets stage grief ophelia initial revenge w
ord have sworn changes finally passed through cycle emotions firmly resigned what ever will encounte
r clearly turning point which realizes truths which theme play universalEssay, essays, termpaper, te
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