The Irony in Hamlet by William Shakespeare
analytical Essay
674 words
The Irony in Hamlet In the book Hamlet by Shakespeare, irony is used numerous times in order to give the reader insight on what is going on. As stated in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, irony is an action that is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play. If this strategy were not included in this drama, it would take away the whole purpose. This play would consist of no suspense and would be extremely boring to the reader because the characters would know as much as the readers know. This allows for incite to what can happen in the future or what has happened in the past. The irony in this play ultimately revolves around Hamlet and his plan to achieve revenge with Claudius. From the play that Hamlet organizes about the death of his father to the ending where Fortinbras happened to be at the right place at the right time to take over the throne in Denmark; this paper examines the cases in where irony is used to show how Hamlet is preventing his murderer uncle from getting away with his fathers death. Claudius and Hamlet exchange lots of verbal irony. There is two-facedness going on and its very ironic when they says one thing but mean another. For example, in act 1 scene 2 Claudius says “Through yet of Hamlet our dear brothers death… Together with remembrance of ourselves.” The king is mourning over the death of the former king. However this is ironic since he killed him only two months ago. Furthermore, in this scene Claudius asks hamlet “How is it that the clouds still hang on you?” and Hamlet responds by saying “I am too much i’ the sun.” These play on words really mean he is much of a “son” and is suffering grief of his father’s death. Both Claudius and Gertrude are unaware of this pun leaving th... ... middle of paper ... ...here are no longer any successors to the throne, and therefore he “claim my vantage doth invite me.” (Act 5, Scene 2, Line 412). He was at the right place at the right time. This situation is tragic because throughout the novel the irony makes Hamlet look like the protagonist. The reader wants him to succeed with the killing of Claudius and regaining his throne. But as everything occurs Hamlet was killed by the poisoned-tipped sword of Laertes and was not able to become King. It is tragic that things do not turn out as expected, leaving Fortinbras able to exploit the chance to crown himself as the King of Denmark. The irony used in Hamlet is used to create suspense and character development of characters relationships. This can be seen through the animosity between Hamlet and Claudius’ relationship and eventually the rise of Fortinbras, the new king of Denmark.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how irony is used in the book hamlet by shakespeare to give the reader insight on what is going on.
- Analyzes how claudius and hamlet exchange lots of verbal irony. the king mourns his father's death, which is ironic since he killed him only two months ago.
- Analyzes how hamlet plans to trigger his uncle's guilt and confess to the murder of his dad by organizing a play. the play is retelling how his father actually was killed but at the same time informing claudius that he knows the truth.
- Analyzes how fortinbras and his army are not attacking polack, but invading denmark to get back the land that was taken when king hamlet was in power.
- Analyzes how the irony used in hamlet is used to create suspense and character development of characters relationships.
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- Irony in Hamletanalytical essayIrony in Hamlet This essay will discuss the issue of irony in Hamlet by dealing with the problems that arise as a result of Hamlet's attempt to avenge his father's death. One of the central problems is the clash between Hamlet's overpowering need to believe in the ghost of his father, who is the authoritative figure in his life, and the awareness that he lacks empirical knowledge of the truth. In trying to achieve this knowledge, Hamlet sets out on a mixed mission of accusation, revenge and the search for truth, finally causing the upset of the original revenge plot when it ricochets off Polonius' dead body and hits Hamlet in the name of Laertes. As a tragedy, Hamlet deals very heavily in anguish and frustration that are not necessarily allowed the means to be resolved or dissipated.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how hamlet's desire for vengeance came about as a result of his accusatory speech in which he extorts his son to "revenge his foul and most unnatural murder."
- Analyzes how the ghost's existence in act one shows that hamlet feels more betrayed by the woman.
- Analyzes how hamlet's quest for vengeance becomes complicated as he goes against multiple enemies, both real and psychological.
- Analyzes how hamlet becomes a real fool for being caught in ideological mire, unable to distinguish his own "blunted purpose" from the ghost's, and the right moment for revenge.
- Analyzes how hamlet kills polonius, causing ophelia's destruction, and becomes the target of laertes' revenge when he returns to elsinore to aven
- Analyzes how hamlet enters into the duel with laertes without knowing what his purpose may be or if he intended to avenge his father. the theme of revenge is reworked with delays, contradictions, mirrorings and diverted action.
- Cites leverenz, david, schwartz, murray m., and kahn, coppelia, in representing shakespeare: new psychoanalytic essays.
- Analyzes the issue of irony in hamlet by dealing with the clash between his overpowering need to believe in the ghost of his father and the awareness that he lacks empirical knowledge of the truth.
- Explains that bristol, michael d., zimmerman, susan, and burnett, mark thornton, eds. shakespeare's tragedies.
- Cites rosenberg, marvin, and ruth thompson, eds. shakespeare and the sense of performance.
1745 wordsRead More - Theme Of Dramatic Irony In Hamletanalytical essayDramatic irony is when the audience or reader knows the words and actions of the characters in a work of literature, but certain characters in the story do not know them. The reader or audience has a greater knowledge of many of the characters themselves. Shakespeare employs dramatic irony in many of his tragedies; so that the audience is engaged, and so they are able to witness characters errors in their action, predict the fate of the characters, and experience feelings of tragedy and grief. As a tragedy, Hamlet deals with the problems that arise as a result of Hamlet's attempt to avenge his father's death. Throughout the play Hamlet is on the search of his self, while his actions are shaping who he really is. As he is attempting to find himself his actions go too far and cause many deaths even his own, and he never gets the opportunity of finding his true self. According to the Whit Cream team, “your choices, values and perspectives that shape your soul” define your self.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that shakespeare employs dramatic irony in many of his tragedies, so that the audience is engaged, and so they experience feelings of tragedy and grief.
- Analyzes how shakespeare characterizes king claudius as stupendous and diabolical, yet he is revealed as a truly evil, thoroughly diabolic sort.
- Analyzes how hamlet's characterization is balanced by anequal irony in the presentation of the protagonist.
- Analyzes the clash between hamlet's overpowering need to believe in the ghost of his father and the awareness that he lacks realistic knowledge of the truth.
632 wordsRead More - Analysis Of Oh The Configuration In Hamletanalytical essayWhen irony introduces something to the crowd that the actors don’t know it makes each individual feel as if they have a secret. They want to bellow the upcoming events to the characters, but know that they can’t stop the ending of the play. In Hamlet, there is a play within the play. During this scene the actors share what has occurred and give hints to what is to come next. The audience starts to realize that there are going to be deaths. They know that people are going to die, but every character feels as if their intentions and goals will succeed. Each individual is lost in their own personal beliefs and understandings that they don’t look at the facts and can’t see what it happening. Each characters is too caught up in what they believe is right and don’t see what is
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare's hamlet depicted a boy grieving over the death of his father. the plot isn't always the most important thing.
- Analyzes how hamlet structures all of his tragedies with similar plot lines and situations. the simplistic structure of the plot captures the people's conscience.
- Analyzes how the soliloquies and speeches presented in hamlet add an additional layer into the structure of the play.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses verbal irony to create a connection to the structural aspects within the lines.
- Analyzes how shakespeare introduces situational irony into the plot of his play. laertes and the king come up with a plan to kill hamlet.
- Analyzes how dramatic irony can find humor in a play prearranged to be gloomy and controlled by death.
- Analyzes how shakespeare developed a play that had layers and dimensions within the structure. the action in hamlet is almost no existent, but the simplistic plot line develops an understanding.
1204 wordsRead More - Hamlet Essayanalytical essaySarcasm is used in the play “Hamlet” to enlighten the story. It can help with the mood of the characters and helps to convey their feelings. One of most memorable quotes of sarcasm from act 1 was said by Hamlet, “The funeral baked meats did coldly furnish forth the marriage tables” (1.2 .180-181). Hamlet is clearly upset about his mother’s marriage to his uncle and he is being blunt about how quickly the marriage was arranged after his father’s death. In this moment there is a glimpse of the mental illness that was present in Hamlet’s psyche. Hamlet used sarcasm to explain his feelings towards the death and marriage. It contributes to the sassiness and conveys his annoyance towards the situation. “A little month, or ere those shoes were old with which she followed my poor father’s body.”(1.2.147-148) His animosity towards his mother shows through when he describes how his she had not broken in her shoes for the funeral by the time the wedding occurred. Hamlet shows anger towards his uncle as well when he describes his actions. “As he guzzles down his German wine, the musicians make a ruckus to celebrate his draining another cup” (1.4.11-13). Obviously Hamlet does not approve of his uncle’s behavior as king. He sees flaws in everything Claudius does and seeks to annoy him. The message behind his d...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the story of hamlet william shakespeare is about a young man suffering from mental illness after his father's death. shackspere uses sarcasm, suicidal tendencies, insanity, and procrastination.
- Analyzes how sarcasm is used in the play "hamlet" to enlighten the story.
- Analyzes how hamlet's thoughts of suicide and depression are a major conflict in the play.
- Analyzes how hamlet's sanity is questioned throughout the play. he may feel unwanted and cheated by his family, but he can be normal around his close friends.
- Analyzes how hamlet's decisions show a lot about his morals and beliefs. he tends to procrastinate all threw out the play.
- Analyzes how the use of sarcasm, suicidal tendencies, insanity seems to get to the best of hamlet, but his fatal flaw was his procrastination.
1053 wordsRead More - Analysis of Hamletanalytical essayOf course, there's considerable irony given by the dramatic context: this is not the perspective of the play. It's clear to us that Hamlet is deceived even at this late point by the devious and corrupt world. He may be less ambitious, but this does not mean that he is more aware of the truth, particularly connected to the plot against him. What's particularly ironic is that his confidence in providence leads him to catastrophe, exposing him to Laertes' treachery. In a sense, the catastrophe gives us a palpable dramatic manifestation of two images previously seen in the play: the fencing game between protagonist and antagonist in which there are secret a
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the play does not open with the protagonist, nor with direct disclosure of the problem.
- Analyzes how claudius' smooth efficiency is emphasized, but his sarcastic remarks on his uncle's words echo a melancholy dissatisfaction.
- Analyzes how laertes, polonius, and ophelia's attitudes and intentions create a contrasting mirror to hamlet and his struggles through juxtaposition.
- Analyzes how shakespeare utilized the complex, controversial attitude towards ghosts in the elizabethan period, not for the sake of theological disputes but for dramatic purposes.
- Analyzes how the ghost does not speak in the opening scene because it will disclose information only to hamlet, to assign a task to the prince.
- Analyzes how hamlet's characteristics have already been defined before meeting the ghost, so the audience can see why the information disclosed and the task imposed leave him in a predicament.
- Analyzes how hamlet's first reaction is one of elation and emotional commitment to his father.
- Analyzes how hamlet decides to pretend to be mad in order to protect himself, and observe others and speak his thoughts in the guise of a madman.
- Analyzes how the expository act concludes with polonius' perpetual attitude of finding directions out of indirections, acting in a devious way to get past disguises, and claudius trying to find out what hamlet's hiding.
- Analyzes the dramatization of hamlet's struggle with a profound dilemma, leading to decisions and actions which constitute the fatal error, which leads to reversal.
- Analyzes how the courtier, polonius, wants to pry behind the appearance of other people's behavior, both in private and public affairs.
- Analyzes how polonius persuades claudius to an intrigue designed to probe behind hamlet's mask of madness.
- Analyzes how hamlet's suspicions about rosencrantz and guildenstern are confirmed, but he perceives the unreliable nature of sentiment projected on ophelia.
- Analyzes how hamlet can't tell rosencrantz and guildenstern the truth since they're spies, but his words reflect his frustration at corruption in the world, which is all the stronger because he used to have humanist ideals concerning the nobility of man
- Analyzes how the material of the speech concerns the death of a father, revenge, and the intent of grief felt after the act of revenge.
- Analyzes how pyrrhus' action may correspond to hamlet's desire to act heroically. he is torn between two possibilities, neither of which he can pursue directly.
- Analyzes how hamlet's tendency to think ahead results in his delaying action. the actor invents emotion in the fictional demonstration, which concerns the correspondence between inner truth and appearance.
- Analyzes how hamlet tries to work up his emotions, but he himself cannot fail to see how ridiculous and artificial it seems.
- Analyzes how hamlet's "to be or not to be" soliloquy is ambivalent, referring to the human condition as he perceives it.
- Analyzes how the context of hamlet's speech involves other characters and actions, and a dynamic situation.
- Analyzes how hamlet uses theatre to probe into reality and expose it, creating the basis for action.
- Analyzes how hamlet asserts that acting based on controlled passion can fulfill the function of drama, affecting and deflecting reality. he admires horatio's stoic virtues and fortinbras for acting in the world without thinking or justification.
- Analyzes how the "play within the play" prepares for the complex situation with a reflexive dimension.
- Analyzes how the play concentrates on the consequences of the fatal error as well as the problems leading to it.
- Analyzes how the situation shows "fencing in the dark" between the two sides, trying to find out what the other knows. the ironic indications concerning knowledge are seen in act iii scene 4, in gertrude's chamber.
- Analyzes how hamlet accuses his mother of slavery to passion, which led her to betray values. his passionate contrast between claudius and king hamlets via their appearances is not without irony.
- Analyzes how hamlet's response to the killing of polonius is sarcastic, but his responsibility isn't removed. he knows enough about claudius and his agents that he must protect himself.
- Analyzes how hamlet castigates himself in a soliloquy that highlights his change of mind.
- Analyzes how fortinbras reflects hamlet's desire for open, heroic action, but also demonstrates the distortion in his mind regarding betrayal of values, true knowledge, and justice.
- Analyzes how ophelia's madness and death are irretrievably lost and destroyed before the catastrophe at the end of the play.
- Analyzes the tragic irony of hamlet's behavior and attitude. laertes is misled into directing his anger at the king, but he becomes an unwitting agent in claudius' plans.
- Analyzes how the last scene is the final tragic overall perspective through that end point. the background information fills in missing details, indicating a change in hamlet.
- Analyzes how hamlet is deceived even at this late point by the devious and corrupt world, but this does not mean that he is more aware of the truth, particularly connected to the plot against him.
- Analyzes how the play's opening scene is similar to a musical overture, where thematic interests are given concerning the topics to be developed.
- Analyzes how claudius persists on his tone and delivers an ample sermon on the need to accept death.
- Analyzes how polonius' rhetoric treats behavior as a manipulation of appearances, something that echoes what we heard from claudius.
- Analyzes how hamlet is self-centered in his philosophizing suffering, despite his suspicions concerning ophelia's behavior.
- Analyzes how hamlet is justified in feeling he will be a better engineer in the game, but doesn't understand that the killing of polonius is preparation for this journey of attacks and counterattacks.
- Analyzes how claudius seizes the opportunity laertes presents and constructs a "double plan" in his campaign against hamlet.
8186 wordsRead More - Hamlet: Shakespearean Tragedyanalytical essay“To be or not to be” (3.1.56) the famous lines known far and wide from William Shakespeare's Hamlet. The play, Hamlet, is about how King Hamlet of Denmark has died and his son Prince Hamlet returns for his funeral only to hear that the guards have seen the ghost of his father. This mysterious appearance intrigues the young Hamlet and so he goes to see the ghost and when he does, the ghost tells him that he is the spirit of his late father and that he did not die naturally. Continuing on the ghost tells Hamlet that he was actually murdered by his brother and Hamlet’s Uncle Claudius. Vowing to avenge his father’s death Hamlet sets out upon elaborate schemes to confirm that Claudius did indeed kill his father. As the play progresses Hamlet slowly seems to become insane, during one of his rampages while he was with his mother, he stabbed Polonius through a curtain killing him. Polonius’ death set Laertes, Polonius’ son, on revenge on the murderer and in doing so Claudius and Laertes joined in arms to make Hamlet disappear from the world. To ensure Hamlet would die Laertes poisoned his fencing sword and Claudius poisoned a chalice. In the end they all died from poisoning from the sword or from the chalice. Shakespeare provided dimension upon dimension for Hamlet, he created a character as real as could be. His character was an educated witty, indecisive, suicidal, and insane gentleman.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare provided dimension upon dimension for hamlet, creating a character as real as could be.
- Analyzes how hamlet's madness is off-set by the cold calculating scheming that he exhibits during scene three.
- Analyzes how hamlet's theme of suicide is prevalent throughout the play. he is depressed by the fact that his father has not been dead for very long and his mother has already married another man.
- Analyzes how hamlet's procrastination and indecision influence and shape the play in interesting ways.
- Analyzes how hamlet's sarcasm and his suicidal tendencies led to his indecision and indecisiveness.
- Analyzes how hamlet's sarcasm portrays his personality with the dark style that he uses.
1311 wordsRead More - Theme Of Comedy In Hamletanalytical essayThroughout history, from ancient Rome to the present day, comedy has always been used in all forms of entertainment to instill the audience with feelings of pleasure and joy. Shakespeare’s use of comedy in the play Hamlet, has been analyzed in many different ways. Some believe that comedic themes in Hamlet, such as him developing a cynical attitude towards other after the passing of his father, are the real meaning of the comedy in this play. Although people may interpret that theme, the true purpose of comedy is to deflate scenes of high tension following a serious moment in the story, its simply for the comic relief of the audience. Every tragic event that is occurring or upcoming, Shakespeare incorporates comicality to release the build
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare's use of comedy in the play hamlet has been analyzed in many different ways. some believe that comedic themes like his developing a cynical attitude towards other after the passing of his father are the real meaning of the comedy.
- Analyzes how the famous to be or not to be soliloquy brought in the elizabethan audience by incorporating the theme of suicide. the humor in this scene is polonius being so clueless on the real events that are occurring in hamlet’s life.
334 wordsRead More - Juxtaposition In Shakespeare's Hamletanalytical essayJuxtaposition is a device that is often used to enhance and relate certain aspects of a writing piece. William Shakespeare uses this device in his plays to emphasize characteristics, themes and even scenes. He does this so that the elements that are being highlighted show major significance throughout the tragedy. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet juxtaposition is evident in the circumstances of the characters as well as their morals. Characters in the play that are juxtaposed against each other are Hamlet with Laertes, Hamlet again with Fortinbras and Ophelia with Gertrude. Overall they are parallel to each other and are considered foil characters due to their similarities and even differences.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that juxtaposition is evident in the circumstances of the characters and their morals in shakespeare's hamlet.
- Analyzes how hamlet and laertes are juxtaposed to portray two parallel characters that both seek revenge because of the murder of their fathers.
- Opines that they dare damnation. they stand against both the worlds.
- Analyzes how laertes expresses his vengeful attitude without caring about the outcome for himself. hamlet blames claudius for not giving his father a proper burial.
- Analyzes how hamlet and fortinbras' relationship is similar to laertes'. their fathers were murdered, their uncles are on the throne and they are both princes of their countries.
- Analyzes how uncle norway and claudius mirror each other by attempting to control their disobedient nephews.
- Analyzes how ophelia and gertrude are juxtaposed in the play because they both neglect hamlet and listen to the other males in their lives.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses juxtaposition to compare and contrast the characters' circumstances and morals. hamlet and laertes seek revenge from their father's killers for the same purpose.
1710 wordsRead More - Hamlet Personality Essayanalytical essayHamlet has had a rough time since his father passed; he uses sarcasm to release his anger, share his opinion, and show his newly brewed disgust for his family. Sarcasm is used to develop this play by using examples of how Hamlet views his families’ easy transitions through the death of his father. For example, Hamlet uses a sarcastic remark to show his disgust with his mother for getting over his father so quickly, and going with his uncle Claudius. The statement reads “…A little month, or ere those shoes were old with which she followed my poor father’s body.” (Page 28 Line 147-8) By this, he is saying that she barely broke in her shoes from the funeral before she married Claudius. Since the the wedding followed the funeral by just a little over a month, he is irritated that she could betray his father so quickly. Another example is Hamlet making his anger lucid through his sarcasm. He exclaims to Horatio “...Horatio? Or I do forget myself?” (Page 28 Line 162) By this, he is saying ‘Horatio, is that you?’ because it had been such a long time since they have accompanied each other. He says this neither because he truly doesn’t recognize his good friend nor because he is angr...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how hamlet goes through numerous obstacles from the start of his father's death until he contemplates life. he gives us a sense of present insanity.
- Analyzes how hamlet uses sarcasm to release his anger and show his newly brewed disgust for his family.
- Analyzes how hamlet shows signs of insanity through his actions, his statements, and his conversations.
- Analyzes how gertrude observes hamlet speaking to nothing, adding to her suspicion of his loss of sanity. even though he shows signs, his logic and decisions prove otherwise.
- Analyzes how hamlet shows self-depreciation and suicidal tendencies through his dialogue of speaking, belittling himself, and referring to suicide.
- Analyzes how hamlet shows signs of self-deprecation when he states "you cannot, sir, take from me any think that i will more willingly part withal—except my life."
- Analyzes how hamlet expresses his personality of indecision through his actions, his thoughts, and his words.
- Analyzes how hamlet shows us his trait of procreation through his words. he believes that he needs to kill claudius to honor and avenge his father.
- Concludes that hamlet's actions, thoughts, and words help us describe his complex personality. he develops his personality through his sarcasm through words, suicidal tendencies through actions and indecision.
1479 wordsRead More - Dramatic Irony in Shakespeare's Romeo and Julietanalytical essayWilliam Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a tragic story about two lovers who are from two disputing families, and their eventual suicides. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony throughout the play to create tension for the audience and foreshadow the ending. Dramatic irony is when the words or actions of characters in a story have a different meaning to the reader than to the characters. This is because the reader knows something that the characters do not. Romeo and Juliet’s death could have been prevented if the characters in the story weren’t so ignorant of their situations, and often times the reader recognizes this.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses dramatic irony throughout the play to create tension for the audience and foreshadow the ending.
- Analyzes how the prologue creates a sense of fate because the audience expects that romeo and juliet will die despite all their efforts to sustain their true love.
- Analyzes how romeo and juliet meet for the first time at the masquerade ball, and fall in love before either is aware that they are supposed enemies.
- Analyzes how romeo turns to friar lawrence for advice and he agrees to marry them with the hopes of ending the capulet/montague feud. the hostility between the montagues and capulets only increases.
- Analyzes how the violent scene at the beginning of act 3 has several cases of dramatic irony. romeo avenges mercutio’s death by killing tybalt.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses dramatic irony while lady capulet and juliet speak about romeo in a loving way rather than wishing him dead.
- Analyzes how friar lawrence devises a plan to keep juliet from marrying paris and bring them together. the tone of the play is tense as the audience prepares for the tragic conclusion.
- Analyzes how shakespeare incorporates dramatic irony in numerous places in the play which keeps the audience on edge and gives the same sense of fate that the characters experience.
874 wordsRead More