To fully appreciate Hamlet as a tragedy it must be understood as a comedy. Throughout this paper I will demonstrate the comedic moments of Hamlet, provide a brief analysis of the humor, and finally comment on the purpose of the comedic elements. The humor in Hamlet can most easily be broken up into Hamlet’s wit and acts of minor characters. Much of this play’s humor comes from the intelligent quips Hamlet so often delivers. Hamlet’s first line in the play offers much insight into his clever character and into his family problems: KING. Take thy fair hour, Laertes. Time be thine, And thy best graces spend it at thy will! But now, my cousin Hamlet, and my son— HAMLET. A little more than kin, and less than kind. This remark by Hamlet is humorous on multiple levels. King Claudius calls Hamlet a cousin, essentially meaning one who is not directly related, and a son. Hamlet responds with a play on words. Hamlet is “a little more than kin” because he is now not just a distant relative of Claudius but, also a son to him. The second part of Hamlet’s response contains a double entendre on the word kind. In this situation, the word kind means both loving, as an adjective, and as a noun means category or brand. Hamlet describes Claudius both unloving and of a different type than himself. Hamlet’s sharp words, while providing humor, lets the audience understand the odious feelings Hamlet possesses for his uncle. The comedy in Hamlet turns raunchy when Hamlet’s two close friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern visit Hamlet from Wittenberg. Upon sight of his friends, Hamlet is able to turn a mundane greeting into a vulgar dialogue: GUILDENSTERN. Happy in that we are n... ... middle of paper ... ...n a tragedy; however without it the play seems lacking. Comedy is necessary to break the unbearable tension in tragedies like Hamlet. Many of the humorous scenes precede tragic events in the play which allows the audience to feel temporary relief in the presence of this comedy. It is also important to note the entertainment that comes with the comedy in the play. Shakespeare’s audience wanted to have both high and low comedy presented to them. With a variety of characters ranging from simple minded to near genius Shakespeare was able to deliver the audience what they wanted. Shakespeare was able to show his audience that there is something funny in the state of Denmark! Works Cited Kennedy, X. J., and Dana Gioia. "Hamlet." Literature: an Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. 11th ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2007. 1354+. Print.
Shakespeare, William. “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. Ed. Edgar V. Roberts. 9th Ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2009. Print
Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet." Madden, Frank. Exploring Literature. 4th ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2009. Print 539-663
Humor was added to Hamlet by two major scenes, along with Hamlet's use of his antic-disposition. These two were: the scene between Hamlet and Polonius in the library, and the scene with the grave diggers (the clowns).
Much of the dramatic action of Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet is within the head of the main character, Hamlet. His wordplay represents the amazing, contradictory, unsettled, mocking, nature of his mind, as it is torn by disappointment and positive love, as Hamlet seeks both acceptance and punishment, action and stillness, and wishes for consummation and annihilation. He can be abruptly silent or vicious; he is capable of wild laughter and tears, and also polite badinage.
Goldman, Michael. "Hamlet and Our Problems." Critical Essays on Shakespeare's Hamlet. Ed. David Scott Kaston. New York City: Prentice Hall International. 1995. 43-55
Shakespeare, William. “The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. Ed. Edgar V. Roberts. 9th Ed. New York: Pearson Longman, 2009. Print
There are many interpretations of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. As a matter of fact, there’s an incredulous amount of articles regarding this play. His work has led to a source of inspiration for many playwrights and movies. There is no question that Hamlet has made an impact on the theatrical world. Unlike many playwrights, Shakespeare’s method of writing differs because of his mindset and sense of humor. He gave this play life by writing an immersive plot with incredible characters and by incorporating striking symbols.
Works Cited Shakespeare, William. The. “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Eds. X. J. Kennedy, Dana. Gioia.
Hamlet in Act 1 Scene 2 claims that Denmark is now filled with acts that are "most rank and gross in nature." He is essentially making a comment criticizing Denmark of going to the dogs after the death of old king Hamlet. He observes a great deal of foul play that is occurring in Denmark after his fathers death. The hasty marriage between his mother Gertrude and her husbands brother Claudius only within two months of old Hamlets death bothers the prince deeply. He claims that nothing good will ever come of the incestuous relationship between his mother and uncle. Hamlet in a sense despises her actions because she was so quick to jump into bed with his uncle even before her tears have dried up in her eyes.
Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet." The Norton Introduction to Literature. Eds. Alison Booth, and Kelly J. Mays. Tenth. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, 2011. 1024-1129. Print.
Shakespeare, William, Marilyn Eisenstat, and Ken Roy. Hamlet. 2nd ed. Toronto: Harcourt Canada, 2003. Print.
In conclusion, a comic relief is used to relieve tension and to contrast serious scenes to increase the ultimate tragic nature of the play. Polonius uses his self absorbed dull personality to create humor in his scenes. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern act as the fool by their tactless actions and dialogue, their lightheartedness makes the tragic parts of the play seem all the more tragic. And finally Hamlet uses his morbid humor to intensify scenes of sorrow while he also bitterly teases others to relieve tensions at times. The comic relief in Shakespeare’s Hamlet contrasts intense scenes as to make them more intense.
The tragedy of Hamlet by William Shakespeare is about Hamlet going insane and reveals his madness through his actions and dialogue. Hamlet remains one of the most discussed literary characters of all time. This is most likely due to the complex nature of Hamlet as a character. In one scene, Hamlet appears happy, and then he is angry in another and melancholy in the next. Hamlet’s madness is a result of his father’s death which was supposedly by the hands of his uncle, Claudius. He has also discovered that this same uncle is marrying his mom. It is expected that Hamlet would be suffering from some emotional issues as result of these catastrophes. Shakespeare uses vivid language, metaphors, and imagery to highlight how Hamlet’s madness influences several important aspects of his life including his relationships and the way he presents himself.
Corum, Richard. Understanding Hamlet: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1998. Print.