Examples Of Figurative Language In Hamlet

17th-century writers and playwrights contributed some of the most popular works of literature known to man. The acclaimed playwright William Shakespeare is no outsider to writing works read throughout the world and translated to a plethora of other languages. One of his most famous works is Hamlet, Prince of Denmark written about 1599 -1601 in which he tells the story of Hamlet, a young prince who lost his father at the hands of his uncle, and faces the criticism of his loved ones. Ultimately, Hamlet faces an internal conflict which leads him to lose his sanity and affect those around him. Shakespeare made sure that this play was unique compared to his other works, Hamlet being 4,042 lines long is Shakespeare longest play. Although

Through the main character’s soliloquies, one can see the use of figurative language such as metaphors, antithesis, and metonymy that express thoughts of suicide, death, and melancholy. Shakespeare made Hamlet his longest play but did not make the quality of the play any less than that of his other works. First, using metaphors, Shakespeare expresses the feeling of melancholy in Hamlet. In the memorable and famous soliloquy “to be or not to be,” metaphors are prominent and allow Hamlet, the main character, to express the sorrow and melancholy that lies within himself. Hamlet considers suicide by taking “arms against a sea of troubles;” in this sentence, a “sea of troubles” is a comparison that his personal problems are too much like an ocean vast and full. This metaphor guides the tone of the soliloquy, making it sad and melancholic as Hamlet recognizes that his

During the 17th century, the English language was left for the audience to interpret to a certain degree. One can read “to die, to sleep,” as though Shakespeare used the word sleep, through metonymy, as a synonym for death as though sleep being the most satisfying action of man is like death which ends the problems and lets one relax. Later, in the soliloquy it is said “To sleep, perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; for in that sleep of death what dreams may come,” this metonymy is comparing the state of death, specifically the emptiness of the afterlife. Sleep in this instance portrays what one faces in the afterlife as no one knows the true purpose of living and the consequences of dying. Shakespeare through metonymies allows the audience to interpret the meaning of his language, the audience connects the words and relates them to death. Ultimately, Shakespeare’s use of metonymy leads the audience to understand the meaning behind Hamlet's soliloquy and connect the word choice to the emotions of death, melancholy, and suicide that Hamlet currently