Figurative Language In Hamlet

Figurative Language is the art of using figures of speech, loaded words, appeals, etc. they are used to have more of an impact and to persuade the listeners to join your side. in his speech, Patrick Henry tried to appeal to the audience by bringing up God into

Figurative language is a literary device employed by numerous writers which helps develop style. For instance, in the poem “Not My Bones” by Marilyn Nelson, the author uses the figurative language such as metaphors to describe a slaves belief on who you really are. Likewise, in his narrative poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow utilizes various types of figurative language to create and enhance his style.

The direct quotation is used to compare the slight differences that Olivier’s version of Hamlet (1948) had. It is used to illustrate the points that were different.

Hamlet also compares himself to the demi god Hercules in Act 1 scene 2: "My father's brother- but no more like my father/ Than I to Hercules" (I, ii, 152-153). This mythological allusion is important because Hamlet is comparing himself to Hercules who is known as a strong warrior and earned a place on Mount Olympus with the gods. Hamlet is saying that his uncle is very much different than his father, like Hamlet is very much different than Hercules. Hercules is seen as a "superhero" of Greek mythology, which is a great difference of Hamlet because Hamlet is in no way seen as a "superhero" or someone to look up to. Hamlet

Allowing one to see a comparison through a reference to something well-known rather than a few descriptive words can strengthen one’s understanding of the comparison to a great extent. These references, or allusions, can incorporate an understanding that goes beyond what one work can obtain. In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, multiple allusions are used throughout the play to compare the characters and extend the meanings or emotions behind actions. The texts most borrowed from throughout the play are those of Greek mythology. Greek mythology contains an extensive amount of stories that contain dramatic emotions and actions that allow Shakespeare to make strong comparisons to throughout Hamlet. Therefore, by incorporating Greek mythology into Hamlet, one is able to better understand the extent to which comparisons and emotions are made.

In Hamlet, the imagery was present through figurative language representing objects, actions, and ideas in ways that appeal to the physical senses. Shakespeare uses imagery immensely throughout the play to portray the central theme of death. The first instance of imagery to support this theme is in Act One when the Ghost of King Hamlet gives a full account of his murder. Before the Ghost begins his story, he warns Hamlet that this information, “would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood / Thy knotted and combined locks to part” (Ham.

The utilization of descriptive language is important for the writer to entertain, persuade and teleport the reader into their work. Descriptive use and imagery allow the reader to experience the setting, sound, taste, and mood as if they can live through it. Which takes us to Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Not only does he utilize exceptional details and imagery throughout the play between the characters, but the way he uses word allows us to put ourselves into the play as if we can feel what they feel. It also allows us to experience and go through the play as if we are in it also. So in this paper, I would like to focus on a few major moments where I believe Shakespeare descriptive language is the strongest.

Were Shakespeare to be brought back to life for a single day, twenty-four hours would not be nearly enough to answer all the long-debated questions four hundred years worth of readers ask about Hamlet. Debated topics include Hamlet’s madness or lack thereof, the suspicious circumstances of Ophelia’s death, Gertrude’s loyalties, and several others. The questions about these topics, and many more, are left unanswered in Hamlet, and countless essays have been written as attempts to assuage the confusion that readers experience. Definitive answers, however, are nowhere to be found. If this hypothetical resurrection were to occur, Shakespeare would likely not answer these questions in order to preserve an important element of his work. Hamlet’s ambiguity is so pervasive that it becomes part of the meaning of the play. Through all the clouded motivations, unclear traits, and mysterious actions, the only certainty to be discovered is death. The ambiguity establishes the uncertainty of life and morality and the inevitability of mortality.

In literature, little things like the repetition of a word or the constant use of a letter, can derive emotions and feelings from the audience. The use of literary devices may seem like small changes, but it makes a huge difference in the reader's mind. In the play, Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, many devices are used to trigger the reader's emotions and get them to connect to the main idea. In act 3, scene 1, the famous soliloquy of Hamlet, incorporates the use of many devices to induce the audience’s sympathy for Hamlet. Metaphors are one of the main devices used in this soliloquy to further convince the audience to experience sympathy for Hamlet through his thoughts of suicide. Another device used to convince the audience of Hamlet’s sympathy is the use of diction in the forms of connotation and denotation. Lastly, the use of imagery provokes the audience's senses to feel what Hamlet feels at that point. Throughout the soliloquy, Shakespeare uses various literary devices to capture the audience's views of suicide and attach them to the sympathy for Hamlet.

“So revenge is obviously a deeply messed-up expression of vindictiveness. It is hard to even call it evil. It is just plain insanity. A result of deeply messed-up thinking”, (Rao, Thought Catalog). In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet’s father is killed by his uncle Claudius and he’s trying to avenge his father’s death and take back his rightful throne. Shakespeare reveals Hamlet’s overexaggerated madness in order to validate his yearning to commit murder in his seven soliloquies through his use of symbolism, similes, and theme.

That patient merit of the unworthy takes". Insolence and office are perfect examples of simple alliterations and having them joined by Spurns, patient, and takes all come around full circle to stick in your head, having something that the reader remembers easily. Literary devices are often overlooked in writing, people don’t usually think of the way words go together making a melody, those pieces of literature are the ones that people enjoy and want to read.

In Act 2, Scene 2 of Hamlet, Shakespeare creates an image of Hamlet by using syntax to reveal his state of mind. In this soliloquy, it is revealed that Hamlet not only is on the verge of insanity, but he also has reason. Previous to this soliloquy, Hamlet finds out that his uncle, Claudius, kills his father and then marries his mother afterwards. This betrayal of his family, mixed with the visits by his father’s ghost, guides Hamlet towards seeking revenge.

In the tragedy of Hamlet Shakespeare uses loaded language and actions that heavily impact the mental appearance of his characters. His choices make the characters change by implementing a wide variety in the descriptive words and gruesome acts that impact the overall feel of the characters. This change can make some characters that started out with clear goals in mind change before the audiences eyes; making the characters change between a state of madness to clarity and serenity in a blink of an eye. His choices in words and actions change his characters dramatically between madness and serenity to show the levity and frailty of human emotions; which helps entrap the audience in the play and changes the overall feeling the play gives to the audience.

The use of descriptive language is important for the writer to entertain, persuade and teleport the reader into their work. Descriptive use and imagery allow the reader to experience the setting, sound, taste, and mood as if they can live through it. Which takes us to Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Not only does he use exceptional details and imagery throughout the play between the characters, but the way he uses word allows us to put ourselves into the play as if we can feel what they feel. It also allows us to experience and go through the play as if we are in it also. So in this paper, I would like to focus on a few major moments where I believe Shakespeare descriptive language is the strongest.

Hamlet is one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays to date. It follows the tragic story of the young prince of Denmark and his quest for revenge. Although it is a great play, it is much too out-dated for the modern generation to be interested in it and to see the greatness of it. The solution for this would be to create a film that not only exhibits the central themes but also attracts the contemporary teenage audience. To effectively gain their attention, the setting, characters and language would need to be modified.