Important Words & Passages In Hamlet

• Act II 755-758 "fishmonger" 
• Hamlet attempts to confuse Polonius in order to convince Polonius that Hamlet is crazy. Polonius asks Hamlet if he knows who he is, and Hamlet responds with: "you are a fishmonger." Not only does this confuse Polonius and leads him to believe Hamlet is insane, but it is also a way for Hamlet to speak down to Polonius
• 763-766 "the play's the thing" 
• In Hamlet's soliloquy he reveals his plan for the players to reveal what King Claudius had done to Hamlet's father. The important line in the soliloquy is: "I'll have these players / Play something like the murder of my father." The passage sums up Hamlet's plot for revenge.
• Act III 766-769 "To be or not to be"
• Hamlet's famous "To be or not to be" reveals his inner struggle of whether to live or die. This passage is so important to the play because it summarizes Hamlet's struggle, and gives reasoning for his actions.
• 787-791 Queen: "cleft my heart in twain" 
• Queen Gertrude expresses her sadness due to Hamlet's "insanity." She relays to Hamlet that his insanity has broken her heart.
• 816-820 Osric 
• Osric's character is in the play for comic relief. Osric enters the play in the darkest and most depressing scene, in which Hamlet, Laertes, Gertrude, and Claudius are all about to die. His foolish behavior brings a little comedy and light to the play right before everyone dies.

Figurative Language

-Figurative Language is also known as a figure of speech or metaphorical language. Simply, figurative language is language that is not literal. Figurative language is seen in literary devices such as similes, metaphors, personification, and analogies, among many others. Figurative language permeates Hamlet. For example, in Hamlet's soliloquy in Act II, Hamlet states: "For murder, though it have no tongue, will speak" (2.2.521). Hamlet's use of figurative language brings more emphasis to what he is stating. Hamlet is emphasizing the fact that King Claudius does not speak of his foul murder; however, his plan to get the players to act out what happened, the truth will be revealed. The use of figurative language allows the reader to understand the importance of the line and what Hamlet is planning on doing.

Claudius' Manipulation of Laertes

-King Claudius uses his skills of manipulation to turn Laertes' anger, due to the death of his father, from himself to Hamlet. Laertes stormed into the castle demanding to speak to Claudius. Claudius used Laertes' anger as a tool to turn him against Hamlet. King Claudius skillfully calmed down Laertes, and then refocused his anger against Hamlet. Claudius states to Laertes: "That I am guiltless of your father's death..." The King is successful in manipulating Laertes to want to seek revenge for his father by killing Hamlet. The irony of the situation is that Claudius is really at fault for the death of Polonius because he is the one that made Polonius spy on Hamlet. King Claudius manipulated Laertes to do what he wanted through his use of eloquent speech, which Claudius has been effectively using through the play.

Hamlet & Gertrude

Hamlet and Gertrude have an extremely interesting and complex relationship. Hamlet is strangely obsessed with his mother's sexual life with King Claudius. At first is seems as though he is angry about it because he believes their marriage is a disgrace to his father. Later, the reader realizes Hamlet is more obsessed with his mother having sexual relations, rather than the disgrace she brings to Hamlet's father. Hamlet gets so obsessed with his mothers actions, he eventually confronts her about it. He states to her: "Nay, but to live / In the rank sweat of an enseamed bed, / Stew'd in corruption, honeying and making love / Over the nasty sty..." (3.3.91-4). Hamlet is completely demeaning and speaks down to Gertrude in hopes of making her very upset. He is trying to get her to understand how horrid he thinks her actions are. He makes it seem as though he is doing this because of his father; however, perhaps he is yelling at Gertrude because Hamlet himself is obsessed with his mother's sexual relations and does not want her doing such deeds with Claudius.

Sounds - 'Hamlet' & 'Out,Out'

-Sound is the musical quality of poetry that can bring more depth to a text. I can be created through word choice, among other devices, such as alliteration, assonance, onomatopoeia, and cadance. In Hamlet's sililoquy in Act II, there are many examples of sound. For example, he states about himself: "bloody, bawdy villain!" Hamlet uses plosive language in this line. The plosive sounds of bloody and bawdy bring life to the text. It allows the reader to understand that it is a very important line to understand how Hamlet views himself. In 'Out, Out' Robert Frost uses sound to allow the reader to create a clear mental picture of what is going on. For example, in the first line of the poem Frost writes: "The buzz-saw snarled and rattled..." The sounds of snarled and rattled are very harsh and violent. Not only does this create a vivid picture in the reader's mind, but it also sets up the scene for what is to come in the poem. The use of sound brings more depth to a text, especially in both 'Hamlet' and 'Out, Out.'

Essay Continued

Public v. Private Speech: Hamlet’s Controlled Insanity & Claudius’ Selfish Guilt

In Shakespeare's Hamlet, characters' language allows the read to understand the true meaning of what the characters are saying. Hamlet and King Claudius are perfect examples of characters whose language allows the reader to understand the true intent of what they are saying. Interestingly enough, both Hamlet and Claudius have a different way of speaking in a public and private setting. However, the way in which they do so contrasts completely. Hamlet, in public, tries to hid his true feelings, which he reveals in private speech. Claudius seems to be a compassionate ruler, whereas in private the reader understands his selfish attitudes. Therefore, although both Hamlet and King Claudius use dramatic language to disguise the truth, Hamlet uses his speech to hide his true feelings and Claudius uses his speech to hide his true, selfish attitude.

Both Hamlet and King Claudius hide their true emotions while they speak in public. Hamlet hides his true feelings in public speaking by pretending to be crazy. He believes that his insanity will give him time to get revenge for his father. Hamlet’s facade is clearly visible when he speaks with the king's advisor, Polonius. Hamlet realizes that Polonius is spying on him for the king, so Hamlet does the best he can to act as though he is crazy. For example, Polonius runs into Hamlet and asks if he knows him. Clearly Hamlet knows who Polonius is because he is the King's advisor, and Hamlet is involved with Polonius' daughter, Ophelia. Strangely enough, Hamlet responds to Polonius' question with: "Excellent well; you are a fishmonger" (2.2.173). Hamlet's statement confuses Polonius because later in the conversation Hamlet talks about his affection for his daughter, right after he asks Polonius if he has a daughter! Hamlet's plan is extremely effective because he leaves Polonius confused as ever, yet he does have a suspicion that there is a reason, or "method" for Hamlet's madness. Contrasting to Hamlet’s way of hiding his true intentions for revenge, King Claudius hides his guilt by being very commanding and asserting his authority. Claudius kills his brother, the king, and then steals Hamlet’s right to the throne all due to his selfish attitude and quest for power. Because he gained the crown in this manner, while in public, he must hide his guilt. When Claudius speaks in public, especially to Hamlet, he is extremely assertive and demeaning. Claudius’ first real demeaning conversation with Hamlet has to do with Hamlet grieving over the death of his father. It is likely that the reasons for Claudius being so angry over this is because Hamlet’s grieving reminds Claudius of his guilt. Claudius states to Hamlet: “’Tis sweet and commendable in your nature, Hamlet” (1.2.87). Claudius’ tone is extremely demeaning and he treats Hamlet like he is a young child. Claudius relays to Hamlet that is grieving is “sweet,” but he continues to state that all people loose their father, and Hamlet needs to get over the fact that his father is dead. Claudius believes that Hamlet has been mourning for too long, even though it has only been a month, and this is due to the fact Hamlet’s grieving is a constant reminder of Claudius’ guilt. Although both Hamlet and Claudius hide their true feelings and intentions while speaking in public, they go about doing so in completely opposite ways.

Symbol - "The Second Coming"

-Symbols carry more than just the literal meaning, and point the way to the meaning of the work as a whole. In "The Second Coming," by William Butler Yeats, symbols permiate the poem. One of the most meaningful symbols is the symbol of the Falcons widening gyre. "Turning and turning in the widening gyre." This symbol relates to Yeats' view of society. He feels as though society is spinning downward to the "second coming" of the Messiah. Yeats believes that the "end of the earth" is coming because society has become too corrupt and chaotic. This symbol does not only symbolize how Yeats feels about sociey, but it also symbolizes the poem as a whole. The symbol of the widening gyre is the first line in this poem, and it sets up what is to come. A falcon flying in a spiral downward is a beatiful symbol that Yeats created to reveal his thoughts on how society is being destroyed.

Intro + 1st Body (Rough)

     In Shakespeare's Hamlet, characters' language allows the read to understand the true meaning of what the characters are saying. Hamlet and King Claudius are perfect examples of characters whose language allows the reader to understand the true intent of what they are saying. Interestingly enough, both Hamlet and Claudius have a different way of speaking in a public and private setting. However, the way in which they do so contrasts completely. Hamlet, in public, tries to hid his true feelings, which he reveals in private speech. Claudius seems to be a compassionate ruler, whereas in private the reader understands his selfish attitudes. Therefore, although both Hamlet and King Claudius use dramatic language to disguise the truth, Hamlet uses his seech to hide his true feelings and Claudius uses his speech to hide his true, selfish attitude.
     Both Hamlet and King Claudius hide their true emotions while they speak in public. Hamlet hides his true feelings in public speaking by pretending to be crazy. He believes that his crazy attitude will give him time to get revenge for his father. Hamlets facade is clearly visible when he speaks with the king's advisor, Polonius. Hamlet realizes that Polonius is spying on him for the kings, so Hamlet does the best he can to act as though he is crazy. Hamlet runs into Polonius when Polonius asks if Hamlet knows him. Clearly Hamlet knows who Polonius is because he is the King's advisor, and Hamlet is involved with Polonius' daughter. Strangly enough, Hamlet responds to Polonius' question with: "Excellent well; you are a fishmonger" (Act II, scene ii, line 173). Hamlet's statement confuses Polonius because later in the conversation Hamlet talks about his affection for his daughter, right after he asks Polonius if he has a daughter! Hamlet's plan is extremely effective because he leaves Polonius confused as ever, yet he does have a suspicion that there is a reason, or "method" for Hamlet's madness.