Figurative Language In Hamlet

The figurative language in his soliloquies contributes to the progression of his character within Aristotle’s Tragic Hero Model and illustrates his struggle to reconcile reason and emotion, a theme permeating the play. Hamlet’s struggle to reconcile reason and emotion is apparent in his opinion towards death and how it develops through the play. The first soliloquy establishes Hamlet's grief towards his father's death and Gertrude’s remarriage. This anguish manifests itself in his desire for death; and at the center of this discussion is the legitimacy of suicide, and if life is worth living amidst tragedy. Hamlet wishes “that this too solid flesh would melt, / Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!” or that God had not “had not fix'd / His

As introduced in the first soliloquy in act three, it is expanded upon with the second soliloquy in the act. Hamlet is behind a curtain with a dagger, in a perfect position to kill Claudius and enact his revenge, but then his mind wanders. Hamlet’s uncle “kills [his] father”, and Hamlet, his “sole son, do this same villain / to Heaven,” (Hamlet 3.3 77-79). This emphasizes the conflict in Hamlet’s mind between the emotional desire to avenge his father at that moment and the logical desire to wait and not send Claudius to Heaven. This allusion to God’s forgiveness towards those who confess their sins is the driving factor behind Hamlet’s indecision and is a prime example of how his fatal flaw leads to tragedy. This soliloquy leads to Hamlet’s Hamartia or his fatal flaw that leads to his downfall. If Hamlet killed Claudius in the booth, Polonius would have survived and the tragedy would not take place. The final soliloquy in act four gives resolution to Hamlet’s overthinking when he recognizes the flaw in himself. He is frustrated with how “all occasions do form against [him]” and “spur [his] dull revenge”. He argues that while God “made us with such large discourse” he “gave us not that capability and godlike reason to fust in us unused,” (Hamlet 4.4 31-38). This illustrates Hamlet’s frustration at his failure to enact revenge and shows his epiphany when he realizes that his overthinking is the cause of his failing revenge. His logic and emotions constantly fight in his mind keeping him stagnant in his plan and unable to take arms and avenge his father. In further exploration of this, Hamlet looks towards Fortinbras’ men that are preparing to invade Denmark. The “delicate and tender prince” is fighting tooth and nail, riding towards “death, and danger dare / even for an eggshell,” (Hamlet 4.4 48-52). The metaphor comparing the land Fortinbras fights for to an