Hamnet ending explained: William Shakespeare and Agnes finally come to terms with their son's death

The year is coming to an end, and Chloé Zhao's latest film, Hamnet, will move viewers to tears. It is the story that puts William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Shakespeare, at the center, as they grieve for their 11-year-old son. It is for him that the legendary playwright wrote Hamlet.

Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley star as William and Agnes, respectively, with Emily Watson, Jacob Jofa, David Wilmot, and more in supporting roles. The screenplay was co-written by Zhao alongside Maggie O'Farrell, who originally wrote the fictionalized version of this story, given that there's not much known about the original incident.

By the end of the film, we see William Shakespeare and Agnes coming to terms with their son's untimely demise. Everyone watching the play, Hamlet, happening in the movie is clearly moved, which is also a heartwarming moment, telling us that the world hasn't ended. Moreover, their son has also become a legend among the people now. forever remembered.

William and Agnes finally say goodbye to Hamnet

We all know the story behind the original play, Hamlet. Though there wasn't a fleshed-out version until Maggie O'Farrell gave it to us. In the movie, which is part happiness and part sadness, the ending sees William Shakespeare's play on stage and him playing the titular Hamlet in it.

It is the climactic part of the play in the movie that allows the grieving couple to finally say goodbye to their son Hamnet. Agnes is a bit furious about the fact that William wasn't there at the time of their son's death, as he was in London for work. Though she isn't really angry, as she still loves her husband.

She again gets furious during the play, but then she sees the performer donning blonde hair that matches her son's. Seeing that moves her and everybody watching the play to tears, and all of them stretch out their hands as if reaching out for Hamnet only.

In that moment, Hamnet became not just an ordinary boy who died, but a legend who lived.

The boy seals his fate early in the film

People can see it in two ways: either the universe simply does what we ask for, or there was something supernatural going around in the story.

From our perspective, it was the former.

In the film, we see Hamnet asking about the well-being of his sister, who was diagnosed with a disease. But he went too far in his prayers, asking to spare his sister's life in exchange for his. His prayers were granted, and the sister was saved. But then he took away the reason to live for his family, at least for a while.

However, as it is said, time heals everything. Some things take some time. Others might take a long time. And when it comes to grief, it is really hard for the ones suffering, but it passes too.

Even with the ones gone, we, as Gwen Stacy once said in her Amazing Spider-Man 2 speech, "carry a piece of each other into everything.” William and Agnes carry a piece of, or rather a large piece of, Hamnet within them.