Hamlet+5.1

4. One of the Gravediggers says, "Is she to be buried in Christian burial, when she willfully seeks her own salvation?" (5.1.1-2). The Gravedigger is debating whether or not Ophelia should be buried in a church graveyard because she did in fact commit suicide which is a crime. Although this is the first line of the scene, I find it to be one of the most important. This line reminds me of when Hamlet is debating whether or not he should kill Claudius. Hamlet thinks that Claudius is praying; therefore, Hamlet does not want to murder him because if he murdered Claudius while Claudius is praying, Claudius would go to Heaven. Hamlet thinks that he must kill Claudius while he is sinning because then Claudius will go to Hell.

5. Hamlet -- I feel bad for you. Everyone seems to blame you for everything. Not only is Laertes blaming you for the death of his sister, Ophelia, but Claudius is assuming you are this terrible criminal who is dangerous. How can Laertes blame you when Ophelia committed suicide? Maybe he is blaming you for the way Ophelia turned insane prior to her death? It confuses me that all of the sudden Laertes is blowing up at you because when Queen Gertrude had informed Laertes of the death, he was not as upset as one would think him to be. I think that Laertes is also doing this for the attention. It is bad because Claudius has already told people of your bad reputation, and now this. I'm sorry Hamlet.

8. When Hamlet asks the Gravedigger who the grave is being dug for, he tells Hamlet that it is not for a man or a woman, but for "One that was a woman, sir, but, rest her soul, she's dead" (5.1.138-139). It is ambiguous why the Gravedigger was being so suspicious and not honest about who the grave is for in the first place. Maybe the Gravedigger was afraid of what Hamlet's reaction could have been. It is also ambiguous why the Gravedigger never comes right out and says this grave is for the dead Ophelia.