How Does Shakespeare Use Dramatic Irony In Hamlet

According to Oxford Dictionary, dramatic irony occurs when a character’s intentions are revealed to the audience, however not to other characters. Shakespeare frequently uses dramatic irony throughout the tragedy Hamlet in order to grasp the audience’s attention and add an air of mystery. In Act I Scene V, Shakespeare’s use of this literary device is evident when the ghost of the king visits his son Hamlet. The King informs his son that contrary to everyone’s belief, he was not murdered by his brother Claudius and not a venomous snake. This is the turning point of the play as Shakespeare begins to successfully develop characters, manipulate the audience’s sympathies, and introduce the major conflict. In Act I Scene V, the dramatic irony

However, Hamlet’s newfound motives not only enhance the plot of the play, but they also develop his character into the protagonist. Initially, Hamlet is seen as a harmless and timid boy who is grieving the loss of his father but now, he has an objective. At a first glance, one may be completely unaware of the outcome of the play however after the scene in which the ghost visits hamlet, it is clear that the conflict is established. Hamlet plans to avenge Claudius for his father’s death and in his soliloquy at the end of Act II, it is revealed that he will be confronted for his brother’s murder. The audience has learnt about his crime and It is in this scene where feelings of antipathy are felt towards Claudius. Furthermore, the audience or readers are encouraged to feel sympathy for Hamlet during his mourning period for his father and his anger towards the matrimony of Claudius and his mother. He vows to disregard his morality and seek revenge due to the burden of his new found knowledge. Through the use of the dramatic irony in this scene, the character development, structure of the theme, and the manipulation of the audience’s sympathies have all been