In Hamlet Act V we see again Machiavelli’s concept to be a fox and lion, is being applied in few circumstances and from different characters. The final act starts with two gravediggers, also called clowns which in Shakespeare’s time the word clown referred to an agricultural worker or rustic, having a conversation as they dig Ophelia’s grave. One of the two argues whether she committed suicide or not, but the other one says that suicide is an offense to God, so for those who committed the act were usually not allowed in a Christian graveyard, but lucky for Ophelia, her family is powerful and rich. Hamlet shows up to the scene with Horatio and he appears fascinated by what the “two clowns” are doing and he starts exchanging jokes about their job, when all of sudden Hamlet discussion with the gravedigger was interrupted by Claudius, Gertrude and Laertes along with a priest, and before they could see him Hamlet hides to watch them. …show more content…
We can tell that Hamlet in this case is using Machiavelli concept of being a fox, because he’s not actually ready to fight but instead he is using his word and thinking to overcome Laertes. Then Hamlet goes back and tells Horatio what actually happened while he was on the ship to England, when he read Claudius’ letter, which tells the King to have Hamlet killed for the good of the country. Again Hamlet is being the fox because he alters the letter, telling the King to kill the bearers of the letter, Guildenstern and Rosencrantz. The fortune also comes in when Hamlet the day after is able to escape the sea fight with the