The rest is silence (English: The rest is silence ) is a quote from William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, Prince of Denmark , fifth Elevator, second scene. This quote is significant because it is Hamlet's last words before his tragic death. In a fencing match, Hamlet is stabbed to death by his old friend Laertes with a poisoned sword point.
Osric : Young Fortinbras, with conquest come from Poland,
To th 'ambassadors of England gives
This warlike volley.
Hamlet : O, I die, Horatio.
The potent poison quite o'ercrows my spirit.
I cannot live to hear the news from England.
But I do prophesy the election lights
On Fortinbras. He has my dying voice.
So tell him, with th 'occurrents, more and less,
Which have solicited. The rest is silence.
O, O, O, O. (dies)
Horatio : Now cracks a noble heart. — Good night, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest! -
Why does the drum come hither?
Osrick : The young Fortinbras, who has just
returned victorious from Poland, gives the ambassadors
from England this warlike greeting.
Hamlet : Oh, I'm dying, Horatio!
The strong poison overcomes my mind;
I cannot hear the news from England,
But I prophesy: the election falls
on Fortinbras; he has my dying word;
That tells him, including the coincidences
that brought it there - the rest is silence. He dies
Horatio : A noble heart breaks. - Good night, my lord!
And flocks of angels sing you to rest! -
Why is the drum coming?
