In his tragedy, Hamlet, William Shakespeare uses diction and sarcasm to foreshadow different interpretations based on connotations and Hamlet’s complex plans to discover the truth in the corrupt kingdom of Denmark. The multiple meanings of phrases represent the internal conflict Hamlet faces, and sarcasm the different masks he wears, as he considers and debates both sides of many situations, leading to his distraction and inaction.
Following his inauguration speech, King Claudius speaks to a still-mourning Hamlet,
KING. Now, my cousin Hamlet and my son -
HAMLET. A little more than kin and less than kind (1.2. 66-67).
Hamlet’s dark pun uses the diction of “kind”, whose connotation can be taken various ways, the first of which “kind” means ancestral stock, Hamlet is saying that Claudius is less than a direct blood relative to him. “Kind” also means natural, meaning Hamlet is highlighting the unnatural outcome of his father’s death and Gertrude’s lust in marrying Claudius. Similarly, kind may mean considerate, showing Hamlet’s resentment towards Claudius for the hasty marriage to Gertrude, whereas Hamlet is still mourning his father’s death. Overall, Hamlet finds the marriage of his mother to his
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This sarcasm shows that Hamlet is able to put on a mask, so to say, and to act like he is glad that Claudius has become King, when in reality he is disgusted by the entire affair. The diction easily takes on a second meaning, if sun is changed to son - in this case, Hamlet is saying that being Claudius’ son is too much for him. Between his father dying and his mother remarrying his uncle, Hamlet is overwhelmed and unhappy with his new family situation, and he can not say that he is glad to be Claudius’ son. It is already clear that Hamlet resents King Claudius, so avenging his father later should not be a difficult task, yet it