Figurative In Hamlet

Words: 864

Pages: 4

Open Document

In the first act and scene of the play “Hamlet”, William Shakespeare brings in the main theme of death and with it a dark winter scene in Denmark. Shakespeare takes factual and figurative uses in this scene and brings out this prominent issue of death within this scene. With the help of scenery, a dead ghost, and true death of characters, Shakespeare is effectively able to figuratively disclose about the theme of death.
Shakespeare begins the play by introducing us as readers to a Danish castle that overlooks the unknown. Furthermore, in terms of temperature, Francisco’s himself says “‘Tis bitter cold.’(8) Reading further into the scene, we understand that there is an incoming army from Norway that is ready to reclaim land lost under Hamlet Senior. Outside the castle walls lies a great unknown that is pitch black and with the possibility of war on the horizon. Figuratively, we can grasp that Shakespeare is taking this great dark unknown that the guards are over watching and introducing the aspect of death within it. Taking in the aspect that it is dark …show more content…
and Hamlet Sr’s battle alongside the takeover of Norway. However, with Hamlet Sr’s death and Fortinbras Jr’s battle to retake Norway and to fight Denmark, we see a confused Denmark at a time where citizens have no idea what is happening. We can figuratively analyze this to say that with Fortinbras Sr’s death in battle, Norway was taken over from Denmark and would have most probably led to some sort of confusion. Now with a dead Hamlet Sr’s, Denmark is in a similar situation. The citizen’s are confused about this new war that is incoming at any time as seen through Marcellus, who asks what is happening to Denmark at the moment. Real death is bound to bring confusion to the citizens, but we can contrast this to the ghost of Hamlet Sr. who comes back alive again. This resurrection increases the confusion and further pushes the boundaries of what death is in the time period of

Examples Of Figurative Language In Hamlet

“Hamlet”, is a tragedy written by the famous poet Shakespeare. It is one of the most iconic plays to date, and is often written about by scholars. It is often discussed in American classrooms, and reenacted in movies. “Hamlet” is considered influential by many. This is due to Hamlet’s complex ideologies, and the dramatic nature of the play. Son of the King Hamlet and Queen Gertrude, Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark. After Hamlet’s father dies, his uncle, Claudius marries Queen Gertrude and takes…

Words 1229 - Pages 5

Figurative Language In Brave New World

involving fervid emotions. As the epitome of the human condition, Hamlet lividly mourns over his father’s death and pursues bitter revenge against the murderer, his mother’s new husband. On the other hand, the society in Brave New World, utterly suppressing every ounce of the human condition, creates new life through a cold, scientific process. For this society’s government, human life was their tool for money, power, and stability. In Hamlet and Brave New World, Shakespeare and Aldous Huxley demonstrate…

Words 766 - Pages 4

Hamlet's Fourth Soliloquy Analysis

think I am easier to be played on than a pipe?” Hamlet, as a work of literature, is defined by its questions. Similarly, Hamlet, as a person, is defined by his conflicts. His mission throughout the play is to avenge his father’s murder by killing Claudius, yet for the majority of the story, he cannot bring himself to follow through, as he is not integrally a killer, but a lover. Hamlet’s fourth soliloquy is truly demonstrative of this, depicting Hamlet in his rawest form- a man defined by love-not…

Words 665 - Pages 3

What Role Does Justice Play In Hamlet

Ghost who claimed to be Hamlet’s father, the Ghost looked for Hamlet to tell him what happened to him. When Hamlet follows the Ghost he listened to how he claims how his father died and realizes that his father did not die of natural causes which were what he had originally thought. The Ghost asks Hamlet to avenge him but it is not in his nature to kill so he decides to devise a plan on how he is going to kill Claudius. Although Hamlet is convinced that the Ghost may actually be his father, he believes…

Words 558 - Pages 3

Essay on Revenge so Sweer

is his use of everlasting themes. Throughout the play, Hamlet, Shakespeare illuminates situations and emotions that as humans it is inevitable that we face. In Hamlet, Shakespeare uses figurative language and motifs to develop the central theme of revenge throughout the play. In the beginning of the play, Shakespeare sets up the theme of revenge. When Prince Hamlet is outside and meets the Ghost that resembles his dead father, King Hamlet, he does not tremble away but talks to this ghost; he not…

Words 636 - Pages 3

Foreshadowing In Hamlet

In the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, literary devices such as foreshadowing, metaphor, and paradox, develop the ongoing theme of revenge in act one scene five. The play is about a young boy named Hamlet, who is brought home to attend his father, King Hamlet’s funeral. One night, a ghost, who is the spirit of his passed father, reveals himself to Hamlet. The ghost scene is a major turning point in the play, where the truth about the death of his father is developed, and the rest of the play…

Words 723 - Pages 3

Hamlet Open Ended Essay

ENGLISH-KOWALSKI Hr. 2 The Ugly Truth In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, there exists an awakening aspect of focus on paintings, mirrors, and images throughout the play, in which the characters look to for guidance, as well as a way to perceive their own state of humanity. However, in the live action play, many different characters become more aware of mirrors, and they begin to question their own motives as well as whether or not their logic is sound. Hamlet himself begins to use paintings and images…

Words 861 - Pages 4

Metaphorical Poison In Hamlet

Whether it is a poisonous substance or a symbolic poison of the mind, an incidence of either may result in death. In William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, both a literal and metaphorical meaning of poison may be traced. The motif of poison is literally and metaphorically portrayed through Claudius’ poisoning of the king and his empire, Laertes, Hamlet and Gertrude’s affiliated death as a result of poison, Hamlet’s poisoned conscience as a result of the emotional turmoil he endures, and finally, Ophelia’s…

Words 727 - Pages 3

Hamlet Character Essay

The Troubled Prince: An Analysis of Hamlet “To be, or not to be: That is the question”(3.1.58). This is probably the most famous quote in all of Shakespearean literature and was uttered by the main character, Hamlet, of the play “Hamlet” written by Shakespeare. It demonstrates his instability and suicidal thoughts. Throughout the play he comes off as a very unpredictable and complex character. He makes many rash decisions, but at the same time often takes a lot of time to contemplate many of his…

Words 1185 - Pages 5

Revised Prose In Tim O Brien's The Things They Carried

1. Looking back on the past year, my best essays range from Revised Prose Timed Writing to my Hamlet Research essay. In addition to those two essays, my other best works include my Dystopian Novel Final Essay and Coffeehouse Essays. I chose these essays because I consider each one of them to be very distinct from each other. These essays perfectly exemplify my academic growth throughout the year. Firstly, in my Revised Prose Essay titled, An Itch to Declare Disdain, I reflected on my original prose…

Words 1589 - Pages 7