Sign In
Not register? Register Now!
You are here: HomeEssayLiterature & Language
Pages:
4 pages/≈1100 words
Sources:
4 Sources
Level:
APA
Subject:
Literature & Language
Type:
Essay
Language:
English (U.S.)
Document:
MS Word
Date:
Total cost:
$ 16.2
Topic:

How does Shakespeare convey the complexities of the human condition in Hamlet? (Essay Sample)

Instructions:
Being a complex human being means having a multitude of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Good and evil, love and hate, joy and sorrow – it entails constant change and growth. William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is an excellent example of the complexity of human nature. In this essay, I will argue that Shakespeare conveys the complexity of human nature in "Hamlet" through three literary elements. source..
Content:
Introduction Being a complex human being means having a multitude of thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Good and evil, love and hate, joy and sorrow – it entails constant change and growth. William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" is an excellent example of the complexity of human nature. Thesis: In this essay, I will argue that Shakespeare conveys the complexity of human nature in "Hamlet" through three literary elements: * Figurative language: Shakespeare uses figurative language such as simile, metaphor, and personification to vividly and subtly describe the human experience. * Characterization: Shakespeare creates complex, multifaceted characters who can be both good and evil. * Themes: In "Hamlet," Shakespeare explores complex themes such as revenge, madness, and the meaning of life. 1: Figurative Language One of the ways Shakespeare conveys the complexity of human nature in "Hamlet" is through the use of figurative language. For example, in his famous soliloquy "To be or not to be," Hamlet employs a metaphor to compare life to a dream: To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them? To die—to sleep— No more; and by a sleep to say we end The heartache and the thousand natural shocks That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep; To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there’s the rub: For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause. By comparing life to a dream, Hamlet suggests that the human experience is involuntary and illusory. He also points out that death is a mystery, and we cannot know what lies beyond its boundaries. This metaphor underscores the complexity of human nature, showing that humans are both mortal and immortal, real and unreal. Another example of Shakespeare using figurative language to convey the complexity of human nature is found in Ophelia's description of her brother Laertes' drowning: There is a willow grows aslant a brook, That shows his hoar leaves in the glassy stream; There with fantastic garlands did she come, Of crow-flowers, nettles, daisies, and long purples, That liberal shepherds give a grosser name, But our cold maids do dead men's fingers call them: There, on the pendent boughs her coronet weeds Clambering to hang, an envious sliver broke, When down her weedy trophies and herself Fell in the weeping brook. Her clothes spread wide, And, mermaid-like, awhile they bore her up: But long it could not be, for that her clothes Did all the water soak up, so much they drank, And down she sank. In this passage, Ophelia uses vivid imagery, personification, and metaphor to create a striking and eerie image of Laertes' death. The imagery of Ophelia's clothing "drinking" the water emphasizes that Laertes' death is not just a physical event but also a spiritual one. Ophelia's description reflects the complexity of human emotions surrounding death. 2: Characterization Another way Shakespeare expresses the complexity of human nature in "Hamlet" is by creating complex, multifaceted characters capable of both good and evil. Examples of such complex characters include: * Hamlet himself: He is intelligent and contemplative but also indecisive and prone to melancholy. He can display both great cruelty and profound love and affection. * Claudius: He is a murderer and usurper of the throne, yet he is also intelligent and capable of ruling the kingdom. He is a loving husband and father, but he is also ruthless and ambitious in his politics. Shakespeare's complex characters compel us to confront the intricacies of our own nature. In Hamlet's indecision, Claudius's ambition, and the virtues and vices of other characters, we see reflections of ourselves. 3: Themes In "Hamlet," Shakespeare also conveys the complexity of human nature by exploring themes such as revenge, madness, and the meaning of life. The theme of revenge is central to the plot of "Hamlet." Hamlet's father, the king, was murdered by his own brother Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother and took the throne. Hamlet desires revenge but hesitates to take action, fearing he might kill an innocent person. Hamlet's indecision reflects the moral complexity of revenge. On one hand, there is a natural desire for justice and vengeance. On the...
Get the Whole Paper!
Not exactly what you need?
Do you need a custom essay? Order right now:

Other Topics:

Need a Custom Essay Written?
First time 15% Discount!