ipl-logo

Hamlet Rhetorical Analysis

1742 Words7 Pages

While analysing William Shakespeare’s work, one could identify various concepts of rhetoric which may well be the core of his plays. Hamlet, written somewhere between 1599 and 1602, is no exception as it contains elements of rhetorical imagination especially with respect to the notions of “movere” and “actio”. However, before we can begin talking about those elements , we must first answer the question : What is rhetoric? Well-known Greek philosopher Aristotle provided a definition for it by saying “Rhetoric may be defined as the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion” (Aristotle, 1355b27-28). Thus, we are presented with the fact that rhetoric is not just a set of rules, but instead an ablity of the trained …show more content…

Another fact worth focusing upon is Hamlet’s desire to surprise his uncle’s guilt by putting a scene into play as well as his inability to detach himself from his real feelings and act as an entirely different character. Quintilian, in his “Institutes of Oratory” raises the following questions : “I make a complaint that a man has been murdered; shall I not bring before my eyes everything that is likely to have happened when the murder occurred? Shall not the assassin suddenly sally forth? Shall not the other tremble, cry out, supplicate or flee? Shall I not behold the one striking, the other falling? Shall not the blood, and paleness, and last gasp of the expiring victim present itself fully to my mental view?” (Quintilian, 32). This situation could also apply to Shakespeare’s play, where Hamlet is the one who tries to “make a complaint” and determine “the assassin [to] suddenly sally forth”. The ability to transmit the feelings through oratory or , in Hamlet’s case, through acting and to surprise Claudius’ guilt further emphasize on the concepts of rhetorics which are used in this play. Furthermore, this is expressed when the ghost tells Hamlet about his father’s death, using “movere” on him. This is emphasized through the fact that the prince acts as if he had seen his father’s

Show More
Related

Summary: The Rhetorical Situation

303 Words | 2 Pages

My definition of rhetoric before the readings was simply: successful written or oral communication with a clear purpose & audience in mind. After completing the readings, I have decided that is not specific enough and does not encompass what rhetoric really is. The readings by Crusus, Channell, and Drucker helped establish a clear relationship between argument, “mature reasoning”, and communication as a mode used to communicate. Both of the readings provided a clearer understanding of argument and communication, key components to rhetoric, but did not change my definition until I read “The Rhetorical Situation” by Bitzer. The idea of a rhetorical situation, provided a clear application of the question: “What is rhetoric?”

Read More

Essay On The Rhetorical Situation

548 Words | 3 Pages

Based on the readings and videos that you read/watched during week one, how would you describe “rhetoric”? What is “the rhetorical situation” and how do you see an awareness of this concept affecting your writing and behaviors? The word “rhetoric” is considered as the art of using language effectively and persuasively in any form of communication. So, it is omnipresent in our life.

Read More

Figurative Language In Hamlet's Soliloquy

741 Words | 3 Pages

In Act 2, Scene 2, a theatrical troupe arrives at the castle to perform a speech from Aeneid. Impressed with the player’s performance, Hamlet asks that the player act out a short speech he has written for the next day. Once alone, Hamlet undergoes an introspection that sheds light to his cowardly disposition. The soliloquy is divided into three sections: problem, cause, and resolution. Through his initial self-condemnation for being passive, Hamlet realizes the essence of his internal struggle and devises a plan to take action without having to go against his true nature.

Read More

Hamlet Crazy Quotes Analysis

946 Words | 4 Pages

Would one be able to live a full prosperous life acting insane? The play Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, is about a young prince who lost his father and has many issues dealing with his sanity and his family. Hamlet is not crazy because he says he is faking it, he may have severe depression, and he wants to avenge his father. Hamlet is faking being insane for his own sake.

Read More

Diction In Hamlet Essay

658 Words | 3 Pages

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the Ghost's use of cynical diction and vicious imagery in his speech emphasizes his contempt for Claudius and Gertrude, aligning the reader with Hamlet's vengeful feelings towards them. The Ghost's description of Claudius as "incestuous" and Gertrude as a seemingly-virtuous queen creates a negative perception of them in the reader's mind. The imagery of the serpent and garbage used by the Ghost reinforces this negative perception, creating a vivid picture of Claudius and Gertrude's actions that aligns the reader with Hamlet's disdain for them. Act 1, scene 5 of Shakespeare's Hamlet is Prince Hamlet's first encounter with his deceased father who exists between the borders of life and death, presenting himself as a ghost

Read More

Hamlet Figurative Language Essay

785 Words | 4 Pages

1) In Hamlet, pouring poison in a person’s ear had both a literal and symbolic significance. The literal meaning is that they are telling lies to people in order to deceive them. They are pouring poison or “poisonous” words into that person’s ear. The symbolic meaning of pouring poison in a person’s ear can be associated with the symbolic meaning of the snake in the story of Adam and Eve where the snake lures Eve in through lies. The characters in Hamlet were misled in the same way because they had poison poured into their ears.

Read More

Examples Of Hamlet's Indecisiveness

628 Words | 3 Pages

Like many things, Hamlet is intelligent and honorable, but his indecisiveness is the cause of his tragic downfall. In the play Hamlet, William Shakespeare portrays that Hamlet is very incapable of finishing the task at hand. Throughout the drama Hamlet faces many trials and tribulations due to his late father Hamlet, who was murderously killed by Claudius. His inability to kill Claudius and himself is one grand flaw of an epic hero. After King Hamlets passing, Hamlet entered an unknown state of mind that not only feared others for his wellbeing, but also feared himself.

Read More

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Hamlet By Laura Bohannan

378 Words | 2 Pages

Main Argument and Thesis The main point of the article is literature is open to interpretation and that different experiences can affect the way a group understands a situation. Supporting Evidence The author, Laura Bohannan, supports the main argument through citing dialogue throughout the article that allows the reader to understand Bohannan’s experience. Bohannan shares the frequent interruptions she faces, as well as the final words the elders speak, “We, who are elders, will instruct you on their true meaning, so that when you return to your own land your elders will see… who have taught you wisdom” (Bohannan 12).

Read More

King Hamlet Quote Analysis

970 Words | 4 Pages

The illusion of death has wondered and astonished many for years. This doesn 't exclude the fantastic author Shakespeare. Throughout the play, Shakespeare focuses on death and how society glorifies it. He often uses metaphor and analogy in order to make death seem more welcoming. Turmoil and confusion can internally destroy any country.

Read More

Examples Of Deception In Hamlet

407 Words | 2 Pages

Shakespeare’s use of language helps to portray the major theme of deception in the play Hamlet. The utilization of diction helps to equate Claudius to an evil person, while metaphors help to make the comparison between Claudius and a deathly animal. By making comparisons and using specific word choice that help support the theme, Shakespeare is able to portray the deceitful antics of King

Read More

Hamlet's Tragic Flaw Analysis

810 Words | 4 Pages

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the protagonist, Hamlet, dies in an effort to revenge his father, the King of Denmark, who was murdered and usurped by Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle. Hamlet’s tragic flaw, the cause of his downfall, is the reason why the play concluded with his own death. Ruled by his intelligence, Hamlet examines ideas and plans from many different angles before putting them into action. Although his thoughtfulness is an admirable trait, due to the circumstances, his thoroughness led to the inability to make and commit to decisions, the cause of his doom. This indecisiveness is physically manifested on the PostSecret the forms of text and visual cues.

Read More

Rhetorical Analysis On Shakespeare

1134 Words | 5 Pages

Textual Quotation and Technique (1): “It would have been impossible, completely and entirely, for any woman to have written the plays of Shakespeare in the age of Shakespeare.” This is a persuasive strategy because Virginia states her claim and wants the reader to believe it. My Bounce: Virginia is stating her claim that women could not write anything during that time. She comes up with this claim by examining the age of Shakespeare and the declaration of a Bishop, she quotes this Bishop as evidence.

Read More

Hamlet Role Play Analysis

1313 Words | 6 Pages

Over the course of Hamlet, many of the main characters engage in role play as a mechanism to achieve their own interests. Prince Hamlet is one of these characters, and his act proves to be one of the most important aspects of the play. Throughout the play, role-play (especially Hamlet’s) significantly affects the plot, and ultimately strains the relationships between several characters. Hamlet is among one of the most important characters to engage in role play. In act one, scene 5, shortly after being told that Claudius killed his father, Hamlet tells Horatio and Marcellus that he plans to feign madness, and he says, “As I, perchance, hereafter shall think meet to put an antic disposition

Read More

Essay On Language In Hamlet

1115 Words | 5 Pages

Language is a complex system of communication that is developed to convey thoughts, feelings, and meaning. In William Shakespeare 's Hamlet, language is used as a device for manipulation shifting one’s perception of the truth as the play forms recurring motifs relating to the dichotomy of appearance versus reality. This is seen through the character Claudius, a politician that takes the throne by pouring poison into the King’s ear, then marries the Queen. During Act 1 his ability is shown through his speech filled with oxymorons such as “defeated joy” (I.II.10) to express grief over the King’s death, but then turns to talk about celebrating his marriage to Gertrude. Figuratively, he pours poison into others’ ears to reshape the appearance

Read More

The Complexity Of Prince Hamlet In William Shakespeare's Hamlet

807 Words | 4 Pages

Williams Shakespeare is recognized as the greatest English writer. One of his best works ever written is “Hamlet”, which is the most complex, confusing, and frequently performed play. The extreme complexity of the main character – prince Hamlet in this play contributes to its popularity until today. “Hamlet is supposedly the most quoted figure in Western culture after Jesus, maybe the most charismatic too” (Bloom 384). In the most famous revenge tragedy, his biggest weakness that he procrastinates completing his revenge for his father’s death by killing the murderer.

Read More

More about Hamlet Rhetorical Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document