How Does Shakespeare Create Strong Emotions In Hamlet

Camree Rogers

Has your heart ever been torn between the loss of a loved one, and anger against the who had caused it? Hamlet has felt both of those strong emotions, because, between him mourning his father's death, and how he was murdered by his new uncle/father, Claudius. After he had figured out who killed his father, Hamlet decides he can’t trust anyone, until his death has had justice. Furthermore, Hamlet learns that his mother, Gertrude, had been having an affair with Claudius then begins his plan to take revenge for his father. Shakespeare uses mood, tone, and irony to develop the themes of anger and betrayal. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony, to have Claudius say about Hamlet, “There’s something in his soul.” Which means that what Claudius does not know about Hamlet being upset, in him murdering his father. Additionally, Shakespeare uses a situational irony, that explains why Hamlet is feeling betrayed by Ophelia. In turn, Ophelia feels rejected herself once Hamlet does not fight for anything they had shared before. Hamlet feels betrayed by the king for killing his father, whereas, Ophelia’s emotions are angered on how Hamlet had treated her. In Hamlet, there is a shocked mood that shows that Claudius is wrong about his assumption of Ophelia being the cause to Hamlet’s feelings. Claudius and Polonius overheard Hamlet tell Ophelia that

This shows that Hamlet has a tense tone, which strengthens the theme of betrayal. Furthermore, Hamlet gives a dramatic tone when he states, “To be, or not to be, that is the question” (76). Hamlet is asking a rhetorical question, that has an impact of asking the audience if oneself would rather be alive than dead. Gertrude feels angered at the king for him not letting he in, on what is wrong with Hamlet. Hamlet’s betrayal deepens when he confesses to himself that there is no right or wrong in