Symbols in Act V
Yorick's Skull and the Graveyard
Hamlet’s maturity has finally come to a peak in Act V. This is done through the symbol of Yorick’s skull and other skulls within the graveyard. Considerably, within the first four acts of the play Hamlet does not seem to understand what he must do to avenge his father’s death, as a result of him not coming to fully understand the circumstances of his revenge. Hamlet has to understand that he may die in the process of getting revenge on Claudius for the murder of his father, King Hamlet. Through a chronological order of quotes with the symbols associated to Yorick’s skull and the graveyard, Hamlet becomes altered at the core, as he now understands that he may die.
1.) When Hamlet first comes into contact with the gravedigger digging out a grave for Ophelia he sees many skulls being tossed out and rashly states; “That skull had a tongue in it and could sing once. How the knave jowls it to the ground as if ‘twere Cain’s jawbone, that did the first murder! This might be the pate of a politician which this ass now o’erreaches, one that would circumvent God, might it not?” (5.1.77-82). At first sight Hamlet becomes alarmed by the fact that these skulls once belonged to actual people and that they could’ve been anyone from anywhere and at any time.
3.) Eventually, the gravedigger comes across a specific skull that he claims to be that of a person who had offended him greatly on multiple occasions. Interestingly enough the skull turns out to be that of a former court jester named Yorick who Hamlet had a special relationship with. “Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him Horatio- a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy” (5.1.190-192). Hamlet had been close friends with Yorick when he was younger and was possibly the source of Hamlet’s wit. This connection that Hamlet has to Yorick’s skull helps to put everything into perspective for him as he now realizes that everyone eventually dies.
2.) Further along, as Hamlet continues to watch the gravedigger as he tosses out more and more skulls he continues to be disturbed by the idea that the gravedigger has no sense of kindness or respect for the dead. “Did these bones cost no more the breeding but to play at loggets with them? Mine ache to think on ‘t” (5.1.93-95). Hamlet compares the disrespect being as if the gravedigger were playing a game with the skulls.
4.) From this Hamlet makes the connection of Yorick’s skull and his former life to that of great figures who have walked the Earth. “...Alexander died, Alexander was buried, Alexander returneth to dust; the dust is earth; of earth we make loam; and why of that loam whereto he was converted might they not stop a beer barrel? Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to clay, Might stop a hole to keep the wind away. O, that that earth which kept the world in awe Should patch a wall t’ expel the winter’s flaw!” (5.1.214-223). Hamlet connects the life of Yorick and his own to the likes of Alexander the Great and Caesar, who were both famous for their lives as leaders, but now they all lie in the ground and have become nothing but dust.
Overall, Hamlet has come to his final step of maturation, through the symbol of Yorick’s skull and the graveyard, as he now understands that death may come to him if gets revenge upon Claudius. This is a risk that he is now willing to take which we see at the end of the play, as both Claudius and Hamlet die.