Consequently, there are a few instances in which death is treated as an inevitable and inescapable rite of life, and that it should be accepted and embraced. This is mostly seen in the earlier acts, such as Claudius’ speech in which he declared “Yet so far hath discretion fought with nature,” (1.2.5) which suggests his nonchalant and matter-of-fact tone of saying that life will still move on despite the late king’s recent death. Gertrude also agrees with this view, and notes that “All that lives must die, / Passing through nature to eternity.” (1.2.73) This quote emphasizes death as a natural path that everyone will experience. In support of his new wife, Claudius adds on to this and affirms that “For what we know must be and is as common
