Hamlet: Literary Analysis

Literary Elements

Setting

The setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet plays an essential role in the play's overall mood and atmosphere. The story takes place in Denmark, which is depicted as a gloomy and dark kingdom that is plagued by corruption and decay.

The play's opening scene is set on the ramparts of Elsinore Castle, where the sentries are on guard duty. This setting immediately establishes a tone of unease and tension, as the sentries fear that they may be under attack. This scene also introduces the theme of appearance versus reality, as the sentries report seeing the ghost of Hamlet's father, but it is unclear whether their sighting is real or a product of their imagination.

Elsinore Castle serves as the primary setting for the play, and its dark and foreboding atmosphere reinforces the play's themes of corruption and decay. The castle is described as being "rank and gross" and "like an unweeded garden," suggesting that it is overrun with corruption and decay. This setting serves as a metaphor for the state of Denmark under the rule of Claudius, who has murdered his brother and married his sister-in-law to gain the throne. The castle's dark and decaying atmosphere reflects the moral decay of the kingdom under Claudius's corrupt rule.

The play also features scenes set in other locations, such as the graveyard where Yorick's skull is found, and the court of Norway where Fortinbras seeks permission to invade Denmark. These settings serve to highlight the play's themes of mortality and the futility of revenge. The graveyard scene, for example, reminds the audience that all people, regardless of their station in life, will eventually die and be forgotten. This scene also serves as a reminder of Hamlet's mortality and his own eventual death. Similarly, the court of Norway serves to emphasize the futility of revenge, as Fortinbras seeks to avenge his father's death by invading Denmark, but ultimately agrees to abandon his plans in favor of a peaceful resolution.

The setting of the play also plays a crucial role in the character development of Hamlet. The gloomy and foreboding atmosphere of Elsinore Castle reflects Hamlet's own state of mind, which is consumed by grief, anger, and madness. The castle's labyrinthine structure mirrors Hamlet's own confused and muddled mental state, as he struggles to distinguish between appearance and reality and to find a way to avenge his father's death. The castle's dark and eerie atmosphere also reinforces the supernatural elements of the play, such as the appearance of the ghost of Hamlet's father, which Hamlet initially believes to be a product of his own madness.

In conclusion, the setting of Hamlet serves as a vital component of the play's overall mood and atmosphere. The dark and foreboding atmosphere of Elsinore Castle reinforces the play's themes of corruption and decay, while also reflecting Hamlet's own state of mind. The other settings in the play serve to emphasize the play's themes of mortality and the futility of revenge.

Genre

Shakespeare's Hamlet is a complex play that defies easy classification into a single genre. It contains elements of tragedy, revenge play, psychological drama, and even elements of a ghost story. In Hamlet, genre is best understood by examining its various components and how they contribute to the overall tone and message of the play.

One of the primary genres of Hamlet is tragedy. The play is filled with tragic events, including the death of Hamlet's father, the suicide of Ophelia, and the final battle that results in the deaths of several major characters. These events are accompanied by a sense of loss and despair that pervades the entire play, culminating in the tragic ending where virtually all of the main characters meet their end.

Another important genre of Hamlet is the revenge play. The play is centered around the theme of revenge, as Hamlet seeks to avenge his father's murder by his uncle Claudius. The plot is driven by Hamlet's desire for revenge, which leads him to engage in a series of actions that ultimately result in tragedy. This genre is characterized by a focus on vengeance, with the main character pursuing justice through violent means.

Hamlet can also be seen as a psychological drama. The play explores the internal struggles of the main character, Hamlet, as he grapples with the weight of his father's murder and his own responsibility to seek revenge. This is reflected in his famous soliloquy in Act III, where he contemplates the nature of existence and the morality of revenge. The play also explores the psychological states of other characters, such as Ophelia's descent into madness and Polonius's manipulative behavior.

The ghost story genre is also present in Hamlet, as the play centers around the appearance of a ghost who claims to be Hamlet's deceased father. This element adds a supernatural element to the play and creates an eerie atmosphere that contributes to the overall tone of the play.

In addition to these genres, Hamlet can also be seen as a social commentary on the political and social structures of Renaissance England. The play depicts a corrupt and oppressive court, where the powerful use their influence to manipulate and deceive others for their own gain. This critique of the aristocracy and its power structures reflects the tensions of the time and the growing desire for reform.

Overall, Shakespeare's Hamlet is a complex play that defies easy classification into a single genre. It contains elements of tragedy, revenge play, psychological drama, ghost story, and social commentary. These different components work together to create a multifaceted play that explores complex themes and ideas.

Writing Style

William Shakespeare is known for his unique writing style that blends poetry and prose, and his play Hamlet is no exception. In this play, Shakespeare employs a variety of literary techniques to convey the complex themes and characters.

One of the most striking aspects of Shakespeare's writing style in Hamlet is his use of soliloquies. These are long, introspective speeches in which a character speaks their innermost thoughts and feelings to the audience, often revealing their true motivations and emotions. Hamlet's famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy is a prime example of this technique, as he contemplates the nature of life, death, and existence. Through these soliloquies, Shakespeare gives the audience insight into the characters' minds and inner conflicts.

Another hallmark of Shakespeare's writing style is his use of metaphors, similes, and other figurative language. In Hamlet, he employs a wide variety of such language to create vivid imagery and to convey complex emotions and ideas. For example, in Act I, Scene 2, Hamlet compares his father, King Hamlet, to Hyperion, the sun god of Greek mythology. This metaphor emphasizes the king's power and majesty, and underscores the loss that Hamlet feels at his death. Similarly, when Hamlet sees the ghost of his father, he compares him to a "foul and pestilent congregation of vapours," emphasizing his disgust and revulsion.

Shakespeare's use of language in Hamlet also reflects the play's themes of deceit and manipulation. Characters often use language to deceive one another, or to manipulate situations to their advantage. For example, when Polonius speaks to Hamlet, he uses a lot of empty language and false compliments, while secretly intending to spy on him. This creates a sense of tension and mistrust between the characters, as they struggle to decipher each other's true intentions.

In addition to his use of language, Shakespeare's writing style in Hamlet is characterized by his mastery of dramatic structure. The play is divided into five acts, each with its own rising action, climax, and resolution. The first act introduces the characters and establishes the conflict, while the second and third acts build tension and develop the plot. The fourth act is the climax of the play, where the conflicts come to a head and the characters face their ultimate fates. Finally, the fifth act provides resolution and closure, tying up loose ends and bringing the play to a satisfying conclusion.

Overall, Shakespeare's writing style in Hamlet is marked by its complexity, its depth of emotion, and its mastery of language and structure. Through his use of soliloquies, figurative language, and dramatic structure, Shakespeare creates a vivid and immersive world that explores complex themes and characters, and continues to captivate audiences to this day.

Literary Techniques

Symbols

Shakespeare's Hamlet is a complex play filled with numerous symbols that add depth and meaning to the story. These symbols are used to explore various themes and ideas throughout the play, such as mortality, corruption, and revenge.

One of the most prominent symbols in Hamlet is the skull. The skull is first introduced in Act 5, Scene 1, where Hamlet comes across the grave digger. The skull that he finds belongs to Yorick, the court jester who had entertained Hamlet as a child. The skull serves as a reminder of death and mortality, and it prompts Hamlet to reflect on the fleeting nature of life. This symbol is used throughout the play to explore the themes of mortality and the inevitability of death.

Another important symbol in Hamlet is the poison. Poison is used several times throughout the play, and it serves as a metaphor for corruption and decay. Claudius, for example, poisons King Hamlet in order to gain the throne. Later, he tries to poison Hamlet himself, but the plan backfires and leads to the death of several other characters. The poison symbolizes the corruption that is present in the court, and the lengths that people will go to in order to gain power and maintain their position.

The idea of appearance versus reality is also explored through the use of symbols in Hamlet. One of the most notable examples is the clothing worn by various characters. Hamlet himself wears black clothing throughout the play, which symbolizes his mourning and his desire for revenge. In contrast, Claudius wears bright colors, which symbolize his attempts to present himself as a just and noble ruler. This use of clothing as a symbol highlights the contrast between what characters appear to be and what they truly are.

The use of the theater as a symbol is also prevalent in Hamlet. Throughout the play, characters frequently reference the theater, and the play-within-a-play scene is a significant moment in the play. The theater is used as a symbol for the world itself, and the idea that life is a performance. It also emphasizes the idea of appearances versus reality, as the characters in the play-within-a-play are pretending to be someone else in order to deceive others.

The final symbol worth noting is the idea of madness. Madness is a recurring theme throughout the play, and it is represented by various symbols such as Hamlet's "antic disposition" and Ophelia's flowers. Ophelia's flowers, in particular, represent her descent into madness and the loss of her innocence. The symbol of madness is used to explore the idea of appearances versus reality, as it is unclear whether Hamlet and Ophelia's madness is genuine or simply an act.

In conclusion, Shakespeare's use of symbolism in Hamlet adds depth and meaning to the play. The skull, poison, clothing, theater, and madness are just a few examples of the symbols used to explore themes such as mortality, corruption, appearance versus reality, and madness. These symbols help to create a rich and complex world that enhances the audience's understanding of the play's themes and ideas.

Imagery

The use of imagery is a significant element in Shakespeare's play Hamlet. Imagery is the use of descriptive or figurative language to create mental pictures or sensory experiences in the reader or audience's mind. Throughout the play, Shakespeare employs various types of imagery to convey and reinforce the themes and motifs of the play.

One of the most prominent examples of imagery in Hamlet is the use of animal imagery. Shakespeare uses animals to create powerful images that reflect the characters' personalities and the themes of the play. For example, Hamlet describes his father as a "Hyperion" and his uncle as a "Satyr," using celestial and mythical animals to contrast their characters. Similarly, the ghost of King Hamlet is compared to a serpent and a harpy, reflecting his treacherous and vengeful nature.

Another type of imagery in Hamlet is the use of light and dark imagery. Light and dark are used to represent various themes, such as good and evil, life and death, and sanity and madness. For instance, Hamlet describes Denmark as a "prison" where the "sun breed[s] maggots in a dead dog" to highlight the country's corruption and decay. In contrast, he compares his father to the "sun" and his uncle to a "foul and pestilent congregation of vapors," emphasizing the difference between good and evil.

The use of clothing imagery is also prevalent in Hamlet. Clothing is used to represent the characters' identities and to reflect the theme of appearance versus reality. For example, Hamlet wears black mourning clothes to reflect his grief over his father's death, but he also wears a "suit of solemn black" to hide his true intentions of revenge. Similarly, Ophelia's flowers and clothing represent her innocence and purity before her descent into madness. When she is first introduced in the play, she is described as wearing "fantastic garlands" of flowers, which are symbolic of her youthful beauty and naivete. However, as she becomes more troubled and eventually goes mad, her flowers become wilted and she begins to wear more disheveled and unkempt clothing, reflecting her deteriorating mental state.

Another prominent use of imagery in Hamlet is the recurring imagery of disease and decay. Throughout the play, characters make references to physical illnesses, such as the "rank sweat of an enseamed bed" and "the cankers of a calm world." These references reflect the political and social corruption of the court, as well as the spiritual decay of the characters. The imagery of decay is also reflected in the physical setting of the play, with the dilapidated state of the castle and the graveyard scene serving as prominent examples.

In addition to disease and decay, the imagery of poison is also prominent in Hamlet. Poison is used as a symbol of corruption and deceit, as well as a literal plot device in the play. The poison that Claudius uses to murder his brother ultimately leads to his own downfall, as well as the deaths of several other characters. The use of poison as a symbol underscores the play's overarching themes of corruption and deceit.

Finally, the imagery of the sea and storms is also used in Hamlet to reflect the chaotic and tumultuous nature of the play's events. The sea represents the unknown and uncontrollable forces of fate, while storms represent the upheaval and turmoil that the characters experience. The image of the sea is also used to symbolize the dangers of revenge, as Hamlet compares the desire for revenge to being "passion's slave" and tossed around by the waves.

In conclusion, the use of imagery in Hamlet serves to deepen the play's themes and characters, as well as to create a rich and evocative atmosphere. The use of religious, clothing, disease and decay, poison, and sea and storm imagery all contribute to the play's exploration of the human condition and its examination of power, corruption, and revenge.

Irony

The use of irony in Shakespeare's Hamlet is a significant aspect of the play's style and themes. Irony is a literary device that creates a gap between what is expected and what actually happens. This gap can be created through verbal, situational, or dramatic irony.

Verbal irony is a type of irony where words are used to convey the opposite of their literal meaning. In Hamlet, verbal irony is used extensively, especially in the dialogue between the characters. For example, in Act III, Scene II, Hamlet speaks to Polonius and refers to him as a "fishmonger." This insult is ironic because Polonius is not a fishmonger, but rather a counselor to the king. This verbal irony emphasizes Hamlet's disrespect for Polonius and his disdain for the court's hypocritical and corrupt nature.

Situational irony is another type of irony that occurs when the outcome of a situation is opposite to what is expected. In Hamlet, situational irony is used to highlight the theme of appearance versus reality. One example of situational irony is the final scene, where almost all of the major characters die. This ending is ironic because the play began with the celebration of a wedding and ended with the deaths of almost everyone involved. This dramatic turn of events emphasizes the tragedy and futility of revenge and the consequences of corruption.

Dramatic irony is a type of irony where the audience knows something that the characters do not. In the play, dramatic irony is used to create tension and suspense. The audience knows that Claudius murdered King Hamlet and that Hamlet is seeking revenge. However, the other characters are unaware of these facts. This creates dramatic irony in Hamlet, where the audience is waiting for the characters to discover the truth, leading to a dramatic and tragic conclusion.

The use of irony in Hamlet is also used to critique the society and the power dynamics that exist within it. For example, the characters who are supposed to represent the pinnacle of honor and morality, such as Claudius and Polonius, are shown to be corrupt and dishonest. This irony highlights the theme of appearance versus reality and the hypocrisy of those in power.

Furthermore, the irony in Hamlet is also used to explore the characters' motivations and their inner conflicts. For example, the character of Hamlet is torn between his desire for revenge and his uncertainty about the morality of taking a life. This inner conflict is further complicated by the irony of his situation, where he is unable to act on his desires because of his own moral code. This irony emphasizes the theme of action versus inaction and the consequences of one's decisions.

In conclusion, the use of irony in Shakespeare's Hamlet is a significant aspect of the play's style and themes. It is used to create tension, highlight the theme of appearance versus reality, critique society's power dynamics, and explore the characters' inner conflicts. The different types of irony used in the play, such as verbal, situational, and dramatic irony, contribute to the play's complexity and richness, making it one of the most iconic works of literature.

Metaphors

The use of metaphors is a prevalent literary device in Shakespeare's Hamlet. Throughout the play, metaphors are used to convey complex emotions, ideas, and themes. Some of the most powerful and memorable moments in the play are expressed through metaphors.

One of the most prominent metaphors in Hamlet is the comparison of death to sleep. In Act III, Scene I, Hamlet famously muses on the nature of death, stating "To die, to sleep – / To sleep, perchance to dream – ay, there's the rub, / For in that sleep of death what dreams may come." Here, Hamlet uses the metaphor of sleep to describe death, suggesting that death is a kind of eternal slumber. This metaphor is particularly significant given the play's preoccupation with mortality and the afterlife.

Another powerful metaphor in Hamlet is the comparison of Denmark to a prison. In Act II, Scene II, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell Hamlet that they have been sent for by the king, to which Hamlet responds, "Denmark's a prison." This metaphor reflects Hamlet's sense of confinement and entrapment in the corrupt court of Denmark. Throughout the play, Hamlet feels trapped by his obligations and the expectations of those around him, and the metaphor of Denmark as a prison captures this feeling of suffocation and claustrophobia.

The metaphor of the theater is also used extensively throughout the play. In Act II, Scene II, Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern that the world is a stage, stating "God has given you one face, and you make yourselves another." Here, Hamlet uses the metaphor of the theater to critique the duplicity and artifice of the court, suggesting that everyone is playing a role and that nothing is as it seems.

The use of metaphors in Hamlet extends to the play's central characters as well. For example, the metaphor of the lion and the fox is used to describe Hamlet's personality. In Act III, Scene IV, Hamlet tells his mother, "I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw." This metaphor suggests that Hamlet is both cunning and powerful (like a lion), but also crafty and deceptive (like a fox).

The metaphor of disease is also used to describe the state of Denmark and the moral decay of the court. In Act I, Scene IV, Marcellus states that "something is rotten in the state of Denmark." This metaphor suggests that the corruption and decay that infect the court are like a disease, spreading throughout the body of the nation.

The use of metaphor in Hamlet is not limited to the spoken word. The stage directions also contain powerful metaphors that add to the play's emotional impact. For example, the ghost of Hamlet's father is described as "armed at point, exactly cap-a-pe," suggesting that he is ready for battle. This metaphor underscores the ghost's sense of urgency and the gravity of his message.

In conclusion, the use of metaphors in Shakespeare's Hamlet is a testament to the playwright's skill in using language to convey complex ideas and emotions. Through the use of metaphor, Shakespeare is able to explore the play's themes in a way that is both powerful and memorable. The metaphors in Hamlet not only add to the play's emotional impact but also deepen our understanding of its characters, setting, and ideas.

Allusions

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the use of allusions is a prominent feature that adds depth and complexity to the play. Allusions are references to historical, mythological, or literary figures or events that are used to convey a deeper meaning or to provide context for the action of the play.

One of the most notable allusions in Hamlet is the comparison of King Hamlet to the mythological figure of Hercules. In the play, the ghost of King Hamlet tells his son that he was murdered by his own brother, Claudius, and implores him to seek revenge. He also likens his own death to the mythological hero's murder by his wife, who poisoned him with a shirt soaked in the blood of the centaur Nessus. This comparison serves to elevate King Hamlet's character to that of a hero, and emphasizes the enormity of his murder by his own family member.

Another allusion in the play is the comparison of Hamlet to the biblical figure of Cain. In the famous "To be or not to be" soliloquy, Hamlet ponders the nature of existence and the choice between life and death. He asks, "To die, to sleep - / To sleep, perchance to dream - ay, there's the rub, / For in that sleep of death what dreams may come / When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, / Must give us pause - there's the respect / That makes calamity of so long life." This passage alludes to the story of Cain and Abel in the Bible, in which Cain kills his brother Abel and is cursed to wander the earth forever. This allusion emphasizes the theme of death and the consequences of violence and murder.

Another significant allusion in the play is the reference to the story of Pyrrhus and Priam. In Act 2, Scene 2, Hamlet speaks with a group of traveling players and asks them to perform a play that he has written. The play, which is later performed before King Claudius and the court, depicts the murder of King Hamlet and the subsequent marriage of Claudius and Gertrude. The play-within-a-play is an allusion to the story of Pyrrhus and Priam from Greek mythology, in which the son of Achilles murders the king of Troy in revenge for his own father's death. This allusion serves to mirror the plot of Hamlet, and to underscore the theme of revenge.

Finally, there is an allusion to the story of Niobe in the play, which is used to represent the grief and sorrow of the character of Queen Gertrude. Niobe was a queen in Greek mythology who boasted of her many children, and was subsequently punished by the gods by having all of her children killed. This allusion is used to emphasize the tragedy of Gertrude's situation, and to suggest that her own pride and ambition have contributed to her downfall.

In conclusion, the use of allusions in Shakespeare's Hamlet serves to enrich the play and to add layers of meaning to the text. These references to historical, mythological, and literary figures and events provide context for the characters and their actions, and serve to emphasize the themes of the play. Allusions also allow Shakespeare to connect his work to a larger cultural and literary tradition, and to demonstrate his own mastery of language and storytelling.