Hamlet's BurdenHamlet's burden is not just his conscience. It is in fact the conscience of his deceased father as well as that of Denmark. Throughout the play, Hamlet must struggle with his own guilt over killing Polonius, his order to carry out his father's vengeance, and the uncertain state of Denmark as a country. As the play draws to a close, Hamlet must fight a duel with Laertes in an apparent attempt to satisfy Laertes' desire for revenge. However, when Hamlet goes to ask Laertes for forgiveness, he actually finds himself asking for forgiveness from his father and all of Denmark as well; for, it is clear when he says earlier to Horatio: "It is but foolishness, but it is a sort of gain which might perhaps trouble a woman" (Hamlet 5.2.198-199) that 'Hamlet has a premonition of the tragic end of his projects. Thus, Hamlet desires not only to be absolved of the blame for the murder of Polonius, but also of the disorder that Denmark will experience due to the total loss of its kingship and Hamlet's failure to accomplish his father's vengeance. The obvious purpose of Hamlet's speech before the duel is to ask Laertes to forgive him for killing Polonius. At the end of the speech, Hamlet says, “I shot my arrow over the house/And wounded my brother” (5.2.225-226). The use of the term "my brother" is critical in that it draws a parallel between Hamlet and Laertes. As Hamlet says earlier: But I am very sorry, good Horatio, that I have forgotten myself before Laertes, for in the image of my cause I see the portrait of his.... (5.2.75-78) In Laertes, Hamlet sees himself, for the son of Polonius only demands the vengeance due to him, as Hamlet attempts to exact his own. When Hamlet uses the middle of the paper and the use of the word "punished" (5.2.210) seems to indicate his acceptance of fate and lack of control. He even suggests Hamlet as a victim of fate in that he is “wronged” (5.2.220) by his folly. The phrase “But forgive not for thou art a gentleman” (5.2.209) reinforces the feeling that Hamlet wants to soften the harshness of the judgment surrounding him. In this light, Hamlet appears to be a coward in his desire for sympathy for the madness he claimed to be suffering from. However, for me, these lines before the fatal duel are Hamlet's last rites. In these documents, he asks for absolution from all those he has wronged. Before dying, he implores Horatio to tell his story; he makes no confession. It is here, in this preceding speech, that Hamlet relieves his conscience of the triple burden that motivated him, tormented him, and led to his tragic end..