ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -As Laertes berates the priest about his sister, Hamlet, observing from afar, realizes that it is his love, Ophelia, being buried. Laertes, in an overblown fit of grief, leaps into the grave to hold his sister one last time and insists that they bury him with her. Hamlet emerges from his hiding place.

Detailed explanation-2: -It’s Ophelia’s funeral. Hamlet watches from afar until Laertes jumps in the grave, begging to be buried with his sister. Hamlet leaps in with him and challenges Laertes to a duel.

Detailed explanation-3: -Hamlet, wondering who has died, notices that the funeral rites seem “maimed, ” indicating that the dead man or woman took his or her own life (V.i.242). He and Horatio hide as the procession approaches the grave. As Ophelia is laid in the earth, Hamlet realizes it is she who has died.

Detailed explanation-4: -Why is Hamlet shocked by Ophelia’s funeral in Act 5, Scene 1? He is astonished that the priest will not honor her with full rites. He is devastated by her death and stunned to see physical proof of his loss. He is enraged to see Claudius mourning when ultimately he caused her death.

Detailed explanation-5: -At Ophelia’s burial, the Priest reveals a widely held belief that Ophelia committed suicide, angering Laertes. Hamlet fights Laertes over Ophelia’s grave, angered by Laertes’ exaggerated emphasis of his sorrow and because he believes he loved Ophelia much more than her brother, Laertes.