Hamlet Literary Devices

Literary devices are used in every book, story, magazine, etc. There are hundreds of literary devices and authors use about 10 or more in one book. Some common literary devices used in Hamlet are repetitions, metaphors, and similes. In Hamlet, the literary devices used are to compare things, put emphasis on things, and help readers understand the novel.

Repetitions are used to put emphasis on something a character might say. “But you must know your father lost a father, that father lost, lost his and the survivor bound in the filial obligation for some term to do obsequious sorrow” (Act 1, Sn. 2, Ln. 89). This was used to put stress and effect on the father character. “And now, Laertes, what’s the news with you? You told us of some suit.

“His beard was as white as snow” (Act 4, Sn. 5, Ln. 160). Claudius is talking to himself about Hamlet’s father. His father’s beard and snow are compared because they are both white. “O, speak to me no more! These words like daggers enter in my ears. No more, sweet Hamlet” (Act 3, Sn. 4, Ln. 96). Gertrude can’t bear to listen to what Hamlet is saying to her. Daggers and words are compared because the words hurt her feelings like daggers might hurt her body. Similes are important because they spark the reader’s imagination while getting information across. While metaphors are used more for creativity, similes also make the reader put an illustration of something in their heads to help them understand what is being discussed. Similes and metaphors are extremely similar.

In Hamlet, there are many literary devices including repetitions, metaphors, and similes to compare things, put emphasis on things, and help readers understand the novel. Repetitions are used to put emphasis on something a character might say. Metaphors are used to compare things for a better understanding. Similes are used to help readers understand an author. There are many other literary devices used in Hamlet to help people explore their