1. Mortality and the Common Fate: Hamlet acknowledges the universality of death, realizing that even those who were once powerful or influential, like Caesar or Alexander the Great, are now reduced to mere skulls. He reflects on the fact that death is the common destiny of all humans, regardless of their status or achievements in life.
2. The Fear of the Unknown: Hamlet grapples with the uncertainty and fear surrounding the afterlife. He wonders whether it is better to endure the hardships and sufferings of life or take the risk of facing the unknown realm of death. He ponders the possibility of eternal sleep, free from the pain and turmoil of the living world, but also the fear of potentially suffering in the afterlife.
3. The Question of Action vs. Inaction: Hamlet's contemplation of death leads him to question his own inaction and hesitation in seeking revenge against his uncle Claudius for killing his father. He realizes that the fear of death and what comes after may be paralyzing him from taking decisive action. Hamlet struggles with the moral implications of revenge and the potential consequences of his actions.
4. The Complexity of Human Nature: Through his meditations on death, Hamlet reflects on the complexities of human nature. He contrasts the grandeur and nobility of human thought with the frailty and vulnerability of the physical body. Hamlet ponders the paradox of being capable of great intellectual and emotional capacities while also being susceptible to the inevitability of death.
5. Finding Meaning in Life: Hamlet's pondering of life and death prompts him to question the meaning and purpose of existence. He seeks to understand why human beings endure suffering and hardship and grapples with the existential quest for finding fulfillment and value in life before the ultimate end of death.
Hamlet's concluding thoughts after contemplating the skulls and the idea of death encompass reflections on mortality, the unknown nature of the afterlife, the dilemma between action and inaction, the complexity of human nature, and the search for meaning and purpose in life. These profound contemplations underscore the philosophical depth of Shakespeare's play and invite readers to ponder their own existential questions.