The Graves, the Gravestones, and the Great Themes of 'Hamlet': Reflections on Mortality, Innocence, and Decay

Welcome to a deep dive into one of the most poignant and intellectually stimulating scenes in William Shakespeare's timeless play, Hamlet. In Act 5, Scene 1, the gravediggers' humble labors serve not just as physical preparations for a new burial, but also as metaphors for the broader themes of mortality, the inevitability of death, and the equalizing effect of death on all social statuses.

Yorick's Skull and the Exploitation of Burial Space

The scene opens with two gravediggers, comic and somewhat negligent characters in Shakespeare's works, 'digging up' various bones without much care. Their task is to prepare a grave for Ophelia, a character whose death, it is later revealed, is complex and unauthorized. The gravediggers, despite their character as jesters, are revealed to be more than mere jesters.

Interestingly, the exhumation of Yorick's skull (a jester, a friend of Hamlet's from his childhood) during the preparation of Ophelia's grave introduces a moment of profound reflection for Hamlet. Shakespear craftily intertwines the chaotic process of preparing burials with the deep existential questions of life, death, and the transience of joy and innocence.

Reflection on Mortality and Loss of Innocence

Hamlet, in his contemplative state, picks up Yorick's skull, leading to a moment of introspection on the brutality of nature and the irreversibility of death. This scene serves as a poignant reminder of the past and the loss of innocence.

Hamlet muses on the fleeting nature of life, comparing the joy of childhood (spent with Yorick) to the grim reality of death. This reflection underscores the play's central themes of impermanence and the impact of death, regardless of status. Yorick's skull, now a mere skeleton, represents the ultimate equalizer; death strips away ambitions, titles, and all that once defined them.

The Preciousness of Graves and the Reuse of Burial Space

The preparation of graves in England reflects the scarcity and preciousness of burial space, a concern that persists even in modern times. Once a body has sufficiently decomposed to the point of bones, these bones are often exhumed and placed in ossuaries, chambers designed specifically for the storage of bones. This practice not only saves space but also ensures that consecrated ground is used efficiently.

Further Insights on Gravediggers and Their Work

The gravediggers, often overlooked as mere comic figures, also serve as metaphors for the harsh realities of life. They are relentless, never giving up even in the face of macabre and sorrowful tasks. Some gravediggers may even take on the role as informal historians of the dead, having worked for decades on consecrated ground. This scene also touches on the point of controversy surrounding Ophelia's burial in consecrated ground, which highlights the social dynamics and hierarchies of the time.

It's not unreasonable to suggest that the gravedigger who buried Yorick might indeed recognize the skull, recalling the past. Such a connection adds a layer of complexity to the scene, suggesting that the gravedigger is not merely a physical laborer but also a witness to history and the tangible evidence of life and death.

Sources Used:

Hamlet, by William Shakespeare. Shakespearean Studies. Graveyard Studies Journal. Historical Records of Eastern England.