Humor, Tone, And Irony In Shakespeare's Hamlet

Adversity can take us by surprise, but everyone at some point in life experiences it. The way our personal identity can be shaped is through our phases of adversity. The experiences of dealing with difficulties can shape the way we view life and the actions that will show our persona. When we persevere adversity and obstacles it shows our reputation and our true type of identity. In the play Hamlet, William Shakespeare, illustrates the way Hamlet, as well as other characters, deal with adversity through the types of motives they are seeking.

Revenge is a retaliatory action to the unfairness of either insult or one’s death. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the theme of revenge is presented in various ways. Hamlet’s approach to the revenge he had promised to enact against Claudius, in the play, was marred by his indecisiveness, whereas Laertes’s quest for revenge is based on his rashness and impulsiveness. While both Hamlet and Laertes are bent on revenge, their motives and ability to act differ dramatically. Hamlet is clearly a rational thinker in vengeance, as he thoughtfully and hesitantly makes each step.

From understanding the interaction between Hamlet and Ophelia it’s clear that Hamlet loved Ophelia which is evident in the play from his own words "I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers, if you added all their love together, couldn't match mine" (Act 5). This confession was said by him when the play was nearly to end but for most of the play Hamlet expressed bashful words towards Ophelia. Hamlet treats Ophelia like she did not count or in other words he treated her like a doormat. During the interaction based off realization you can see that Ophelia probably loved Hamlet but if it wasn’t for being under the supervision of her brother and father, she might have been able to influence Hamlet and this would lead to a change in the play.

In Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet struggles to cope with his late father’s death and his mother’s quick marriage. In Act 1, Scene 2, King Claudius, Queen Gertrude, and Hamlet are all introduced. Hamlet has just finished publicly speaking with his mom and the new king, and after he is interrupted by his good friend Horatio, who reveal the secret about King Hamlet’s ghost. Hamlet’s soliloquy is particularly crucial because it serves as his initial characterization, revealing the causes of his anguish. Hamlet’s grief is apparent to the audience, as he begins lamenting about the uselessness of life.

Hamlet What would you do if you discovered yourself that your very own blood relative murdered your father? Or if that same relative soon after married your newly widowed mother? Would you be able to keep your sanity or would you, too, slowly slip into madness?

Shakespeare further portrays men to be the instigators of betrayal, as Hamlet forgets that he ever loved Ophelia. Through, being overcome with intense hatred and anger at his mother, Hamlet denies ever having loved Ophelia, and orders her “to a nunnery”. It is Hamlet who instigates such betrayal, as he previously says “My fair Ophelia- Nymph” through “Nymph” Hamlet is describing Ophelia as a beautiful maid, thus highlighting his love for her. Yet, his attitude thereafter is considerably callous, as he continually questions Ophelia on her “honesty”. The continual questioning reflects that of a grueling and in part contributes to Ophelia’s later madness.

Hamlet and The Rollercoaster of Emotions Death isn’t a simple subject to handle. Most of the time, those who experience the loss of a loved one goes through a set course of emotions called the five stages of grief. The stages include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance. In William Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet”, the titular character goes through five stages of grief before he can get his revenge.

William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet remains today as a significant piece of literature. The tale of the prince’s search to avenge his father resonates with the subjects found throughout the play. Today, the same themes are uncovered in countless songs. One such song, Ronnie Winter’s False Pretense, has several of the topics seen in Hamlet, such as disloyalty and insanity. Hence, the common themes that the works both have are betrayal, hurt, and the madness of the characters showcasing their pain to the world.

The King and Hamlet’s mother Gertrude talk about Hamlet’s depression with Hamlet’s friends. They do not know the cause yet. Hamlet’s friends convince the king and queen to watch the play that night. The king and Polonius later decide to spy on Hamlet’s conversations. They her him say the famous line “ To be, or not to be: that is the question”.

Jan-Erik Aavik IB English HL B. Raid 04.11.2016 Written Task 2 Outline: Part of the course to which the task refers: Part 3 Literature - text and context Title of the text for analysis: Hamlet, William Shakespeare 1599