Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Hamlet. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: In a rigged fencing match, Laertes wounds Hamlet with a poisoned sword, Gertrude drinks poisoned wine meant for Hamlet, and Hamlet finally kills King Claudius before dying himself. Horatio survives to tell the story, and Prince Fortinbras of Norway takes the Danish throne.
Quick facts
– Book: Hamlet by William Shakespeare
– First published: 1601
– Type: A tragedy
– Tone of the ending: Tragic
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
The ghost of Hamlet's father tells him he was murdered by his brother Claudius, who married Hamlet's mother Gertrude and took the throne. Hamlet pretends to be mad, stages a play to confirm Claudius's guilt and accidentally kills Polonius. Ophelia, Polonius's daughter, goes mad and drowns.
What Happens at the End of Hamlet
Laertes returns, seeking revenge for his father and sister. Claudius plans a duel with a poisoned blade and wine. Gertrude drinks the wine and dies. Laertes wounds Hamlet, then is wounded by the same sword. Laertes reveals the plot. Hamlet stabs Claudius and forces him to drink the poison. Hamlet dies, asking Horatio to tell his story. Fortinbras arrives.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Everyone dies except Horatio.
- Hamlet finally kills Claudius.
- Laertes confesses.
- Fortinbras takes the throne.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Hamlet | Dies of poison |
| Claudius | Killed by Hamlet |
| Gertrude | Poisoned |
| Laertes | Dies of poison |
| Horatio | Survives |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the destructive cost of revenge and delay.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers have debated for centuries whether Hamlet's madness is real or an act, and why he delays his revenge for so long. Some see the ending as fate catching up with everyone; others notice that Hamlet only acts after he has accepted that he may die. Fortinbras, a man of action, taking the throne is often read as a contrast to Hamlet's endless thinking.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Revenge. Revenge destroys everyone.
Indecision. Hamlet's delay.
Mortality. Death is everywhere.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Hamlet as tragic. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected William Shakespeare to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are tragic will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how William Shakespeare closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
Most film versions, including Kenneth Branagh's 1996 film, keep the final duel and Fortinbras.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Hamlet with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about revenge, and do you agree with William Shakespeare's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as tragic, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces revenge and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what William Shakespeare leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Hamlet often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Hamlet earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Hamlet on Amazon
Books to Read After Hamlet
Related: Hamlet by William Shakespeare: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Hamlet You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Hamlet?
In a rigged fencing match, Laertes wounds Hamlet with a poisoned sword, Gertrude drinks poisoned wine meant for Hamlet, and Hamlet finally kills King Claudius before dying himself. Horatio survives to tell the story, and Prince Fortinbras of Norway takes the Danish throne.
Is the ending of Hamlet happy or sad?
Most readers call it tragic.
What does the ending of Hamlet mean?
The ending shows the destructive cost of revenge and delay.
Is the ending of Hamlet the same in the adaptation?
Most film versions, including Kenneth Branagh's 1996 film, keep the final duel and Fortinbras.
Who wrote Hamlet and when was it published?
Hamlet was written by William Shakespeare and first published in 1601.
Is Hamlet worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy tragedys. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how William Shakespeare prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Hamlet before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.