Fortinbras, the Norweigan prince, who has conquered many other lands, will assume the throne. With him, he also brings the news that Rosencratz and Gildenstern are dead.
In earlier acts he has been shown to be power and land hungry; for example, in 4.4.180-23, the Captain informs Hamlet of the lengths Fortinbras will go to in order to add any acreage at all to the lands he holds. Says the Captain, "We go to gain a little patch of ground / That hath in it no profit but the name. / To pay five ducats, five, I would not farm it; / Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole. / A ranker rate, should it be sold in fee. "
Then there is the troublesome quarrel between Norway and Denmark, in which Norway intends to regain the lands lost to King Hamlet as the play begins.
But at the end, seeing the carnage vengence and power has wrought, Fortibras sees with new eyes, much like the survivors of Romeo and Juliet learn from their errors. He says, "Take up the bodies. Such a sight as this / Becomes the field but here shows much amiss" (5.2.446-448).
In his recognition, there is some hope for a more peacable time for both Denmark and Norway.
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