How Does Claudius Use Literary Devices In Act 3 Scene 3 Soliloquy

n Claudius’s Act 3, Scene 3 soliloquy he continuously contemplates his sins and self-righteousness through the use of syntax and diction that aid to the development of Claudius’s ornate thoughts. Shakespeare’s intense gripping diction mimics the intensity of Claudius’s emotion that bring a better understanding of his true judgement; “thicker than itself with brother’s blood”(line 10) grasps the audience's attention instantly because it allows the readers to understand the true meaning behind his thoughts, which are ultimately questioning his sins. Shakespeare tends to use literary devices such as metaphors and juxtaposition to better distinguish his overall opinions. “To wash it white as snow”(Line 12), this specific metaphor was used to further enrich Claudius’s diction to convey the strong emotions that he is feeling at this moment that seem to pass him, “white as snow” was used to illustrate the connotation between purity.

Adding on to the use of literary devices, Shakespeare tends to use excessive questioning an abundant amount throughout the soliloquy, “ Forgive me my foul murder?”( Line 18) it displays his indecisiveness and the conflict that has been brewing inside of him for a while, Claudius is reaching a boiling point where he has no choice but to make a decision, whether to confess and make up for the sins that he has committed or continue the burden with the sin on his shoulders and keep it a long-held secret. Shakespeare utilizing the use of questions helped further accentuate Claudius character as a man of uncertainty between good and evil and right and