Hamlet's Burden Hamlet's burden is not just his conscience. It is, in fact, the conscience of the dead father as well as Denmark. Throughout the play, Hamlet must contend with his guilt over killing Polonius, his command to carry out his father's revenge, and Denmark's uncertain status as a country. As the play draws to a close, Hamlet must duel Laertes with the apparent purpose of satiating Laertes' desire for revenge. However, when Hamlet goes to ask Laertes for forgiveness, he finds himself really asking for the forgiveness of his father and also of all of Denmark; for, it is clear when he first says to Horatio, "It is but a trifle, but it is a sort of gain, that perhaps would trouble a woman," (Hamlet 5.2.198-199) that Hamlet possesses a premonition of the tragic end of his plans. Therefore, Hamlet wishes not only to be absolved of the guilt of Polonius' murder, but also of the disorder that Denmark will experience with the complete loss of its kingship and Hamlet's inability to carry out his father's revenge. The obvious purpose of Hamlet's pre-duel speech is to ask Laertes to forgive him for killing Polonius. At the end of the speech, Hamlet says, “That I have shot my arrow upon the house / And wounded my brother” (5.2.225-226). The use of the term “my brother” is crucial as it draws a parallel between Hamlet and Laertes. As Hamlet says before: But I am very sorry, good Horatio, that I have forgotten myself towards Laertes, for in the image of my cause I see his portrait... (5.2.75-78) In Laertes, Hamlet sees whether himself, since Polonius' son is only exacting the vengeance he is due, while Hamlet attempts to exact his. When Hamlet uses the...... middle of the card ......ness and the use of the word "punish'd" (5.2.210) seems to indicate his acceptance of fate and his lack of control. He even suggests Hamlet as a victim of fate as he is "harmed" (5.2.220) by his madness. The line “But forgive not because you are a gentleman” (5.2.209) reinforces the sense that Hamlet wants to soften the harshness of judgment around him. In this light, Hamlet seems cowardly in his desire for sympathy for the madness he pretended to be afflicted by. However, to me, these lines before the fatal duel are Hamlet's last rites. In them, he asks for the absolution of all those he has wronged. Before dying he begs Orazio to tell his story; he makes no confession. It is here, in this previous speech, that Hamlet relieves his conscience of the triple burden that motivated him, tormented him and led to his tragic end..