...uses dramatic irony to create sympathy in audience, which makes the play more interesting and it targets audience to read the play. Dramatic irony is evident in the play Hamlet; it is used throughout the play. Without dramatic Irony in Hamlet, there wouldn’t be any suspense and the audience would be less engaged because the characters would know just as much as them, which would make it boring and meaningless. Three of the most dominant dramatic ironies used in the play are: The ghost of old hamlet tells hamlet about the truth, Hamlet pretending to be mad and Hamlet thinking about a suicide. Therefore, Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in Hamlet to create sympathy and engage audience. Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in the ghost of old hamlet to create sympathy, which engages the audience in the play. In act 1 scene 5, the ghost of old hamlet appears to hamlet and reveals to Hamlet that the King was killed by Claudius who spread the story that his death was from a snake bite. “Now, Hamlet, hear. 'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard, A serpent stung me. So the whole ear of Denmark Is by a forgèd process of my death Rankly abused. But know, thou noble youth, The serpent that did sting thy father’s life Now wears his crown.” (1.5.34-40). It evokes sympathy on the audience causing them to feel pity for Hamlet, because Hamlet’s father was murdered by Claudius and Claudius spread the word that King Hamlet was killed by snake bite. Therefore, Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in the...
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...Dramatic Irony In Hamlet There are several accounts of dramatic irony utilized in ‘Hamlet’ but one that was most effective to the overall play was in act 1 scene 5, when Hamlet converses with the ghost of his father. In this scene, the ghost came to Hamlet to reveal Claudius as his murderer and explained how his brother came to him in his sleep and poured poison in his ear. The ghost of Hamlet’s father tells him to avenge his death but not act violently towards his mother. Soon after, Marcellus and Horatio approached Hamlet but the ghost had vanished and Hamlet requested that the two not speak of the ghost’s visit to anyone. The important truth of old Hamlet’s murder will contribute to shape the plot and define Hamlet’s actions. Without the confession of the ghost, Hamlet would have no knowledge of the truth behind his father’s death. Therefore, every aspect of Hamlet’s ‘madness’ is defined by the new found truth that has been bestowed upon him. This scene creates dramatic irony throughout the play because the motives of Hamlet’s behavior is made clear to the audience. The lack of this scene would be inadequate because Hamlet would have no incentive to avenge his father’s murder because his knowledge stretches to believing a snake bite killed him. The audience is aware that Hamlet’s actions have meaning and everything he does contributes to his prior knowledge of the death/murder. This scene also contributes to other dramatic ironies like the mock play that upsets Cla...
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...Dramatic Irony in hamlet and Trifles The plays Hamlet and Trifles have many aspects in which they can be linked together. One key aspect I will be linking between the two plays is their use of dramatic irony. Although Trifles is much shorter than Hamlet and is only one act long we can clearly see dramatic irony and how it is key to the stories. Dramatic irony is when the words and actions of the characters of a work of literature have a different meaning for the reader than they do for the characters. For example when Hamlet sees the ghost of his father. His father and former king of Denmark tells him to avenge his death. He tells Hamlet that the present king Claudius killed him to take the thrown. We as the audience know that Hamlets reasoning for almost everything he does is in spite of what the ghost said but the people in the story have not a clue of this. By act II, the audience knows that Claudius killed the former king. The ghost has told him so, sending Hamlet into frenzy. However, Claudius and the others, apart from Horatio, a special case, do not. Therefore, when Hamlet puts his antic disposition on Polonius, Claudius, and Ophelia, all believe that he is mad; their misunderstanding is an instance of dramatic irony: the audience knows he is not mad in the way they believe him to be. Dramatic irony can also be clearly seen in Trifles. Dramatic irony is one of many ways it directly links Trifles and Hamlet together. In Trifles we (the audience) know that the women in...
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...Dramatic Irony in “Hamlet” By: Narek Edjiu In Act 2 scene 1, Ophelia returns to her father Polonius, clearly upset. Hamlet grabbed her, held her, and sighed heavily, but did not speak to her. Her father believes the reason for his attitude is due to the fact he is deeply in love with Ophelia. The dramatic irony in Hamlet shows features of dishonesty and harm, while incorporating tragedy. The ironic situations often take place when Hamlet is finally in pursuit of action. Hamlet is the son of the dead king and nephew to the new king. Hamlet discovers the truth of his father’s death and therefore creates a front of emotions to make others believe that he is angry. His unusual behavior greatly affected Ophelia causing her to panic and influencing her to inform her father. Polonius immediately concludes that Hamlet is 'madly in love' with Ophelia: "This is the very ecstasy of love" (2.1.102) and that he has gone mad because she has obeyed his instruction in spurning Hamlet's love: "That hath made him mad." (2.1.111) The purpose of this scene is to develop all the characters and to understand the thought of Polonius. This specific dramatic irony surprisingly causes me to feel sympathy for Polonius because he is not aware of the current situation and eventually will suffer the consequences. I learned that dramatic irony is used to engage the audience into what is taking place and the audience is able to witness a character’s error which...
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...Dramatic Irony in Shakespeare’s Hamlet Dramatic irony is an important aspect of any play or written story. It allows insight to what the character is thinking or feeling, as well as adds to the interest of the play because the audience will know things that the characters on stage do not even know. That is what dramatic irony is, the knowledge of the audience without a character knowing; almost like an inside joke between a character and the audience. Dramatic irony can also be used to create further character development. For example, Hamlet leads many of the characters in the play to believe he is mad. This includes Polonius, Claudius, and Gertrude among those who believe his insanity. However, though Hamlet thinks he has everyone fooled, Marcellus and Horatio knew all along that he was pretending. This creates dramatic irony all on its own. An important bit of dramatic irony in the first two scenes is when Gertrude and Claudius believe that Hamlet is depressed only because of his father’s death. The King says “But, you must know, your father lost a father. That father lost, lost his, and the survivor bound in filial obligations for some term to do obsequious sorrow” (1.2.91-94). This piece of dramatic irony furthers the character of Gertrude and Claudius, they seem to be naïve in a way to think that Hamlet’s father’s death was the only thing depressing him. When in reality, it is Claudius’ marriage to Gertrude that is the real problem, though his father’s death does play...
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...In the Tragedy of Hamlet, Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to keep the audience engaged in the play. A good example of dramatic irony in Shakespeare’s Hamlet is found in Act I Sc.5. The king’s ghost appears to Hamlet and reveals to him the truth about his death. The whole country of Denmark knows that the king had been bitten by a snake, but only Hamlet and two of his friends know that in reality it was the king’s own brother Claudius who killed him. Through this incident, Shakespeare manipulates audience’s sympathies, develops character and the conflict of the play. Claudius is a character that awakes antipathy in the audience from the beginning of the play, because of reasons such as him marrying his brother’s wife and being insensitive at Hamlet’s mourning the loss of his father. Finding out that Claudius was the one who killed the king intensifies the audience’s feelings of antipathy towards Claudius. At the same time, Shakespeare uses the same incident to awake in the audience feelings of sympathy towards Hamlet, who is deeply affected by his father’s death and by finding out that his father was killed by his uncle. By revealing to the audience emotionally charged incidents, Shakespeare manages to manipulate the audience’s sympathies. Shakespeare develops Hamlet’s character in this scene, as his feelings of anger and sorrow are intensified. He expresses that he has had a suspicion about his uncle even before the Ghost could tell him what he did. Following the encounter...
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...Canada’s Homefront During WW1 In August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany, which meant that Canada was going to war as well. Canada’s young men were going to war to serve their country as well as demonstrating their patriotic duty to Britain as they left behind their loved ones on the Canadian homefront. The First World War had a profound impact on life in Canada during the war. As our Canadian soldiers faced conflicts and huge challenges on foreign battlefields, there were many changes coming for those left behind on the Canadian homefront as they faced many social challenges and a shift in life, as they knew it. During WW1, the Canadian homefront saw a great transformation in the role of women in Canadian society, reforms in the labour movement and an increase in tension between French and English Canadians due to the conscription crisis. At the turn of the century, the role of women in Canadian society began to change drastically as their roles expanded beyond the home. Many Canadians viewed the woman’s role as the mother and homemaker but Canada’s participation in WW1 dramatically altered how women were viewed. So many Canadian men enlisted in the war that Canadian labour force was hugely diminished because if men were at war, they could not be working in the factories so Canada was forced to turn to women to join the workforce. “As the number of volunteers increased it was becoming clear that a new source of labour would have to be found. Women...
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...Chart Outlining Incidents of Dramatic Irony Example of Dramatic Irony from Acts I & II | Characters Involved | Sympathy? Antipathy? | Reason your sympathies lean as they do | Evidence – Lines and Explanation of Effect | In Act I.v, the Ghost of King Hamlet reveals to Hamlet that the King had been poisoned to death by Claudius. Dramatic irony occurs because Hamlet, the Ghost and we know the truth that Claudius murdered Hamlet's father.Dramatic irony occurs because only the readers and his friends Marcellus and Horatio know that Hamlet is only pretending to be mad.Ophelia and Polonious thinks that Hamlet is mad in love with Ophelia but only we and his friends know that Hamlet is only pretending to be mad. | Hamlet, Ghost and Claudius | Sympathy with Hamlet and his father.Antipathy with Claudius | Claudius killed the father of Hamlet. And no one knew the reality.Antipathy for Claudius because he murdered his own brother and became the king. | | | Hamlet, Horatio and Marcellus | Sympathy with Hamlet. | Sympathy with Hamlet because he knows that his father had been murdered but couldn’t reveal the truth. | | | Hamlet, Ophelia and Polonious | Sympathy with Ophelia. | Sympathy with Ophelia because she also thought that Hamlet was mad, which made her sad. | | | | | | | | | | | | Dramatic Irony Critical Analysis- For my critical analysis of dramatic irony in Hamlet I chose when Hamlet learns that his father was poisoned by Claudius...
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...In Act 3, Scene 4, Hamlet is asked by his mother, Gertrude, to reveal what was making him act like he was crazy. Hamlet believes that Gertrude is truly having a heart to heart with him and really desires to put Hamlet’s troubles to ease. However, what Hamlet does not know is that Gertrude allows Polonius to hide being the arras to overhear their conversation for King Claudius. As the audience, we are aware that Polonius is in the room with Gertrude and Hamlet, but Hamlet is unaware of his presence. By arguing to Gertrude over her marriage to his uncle Claudius, Hamlet’s emotions of hate towards Claudius were beginning to boil and it was as if Hamlet would commit to anything under impulse. At this point, Hamlet is in complete control over Gertrude, using physical force to pressure her to admit her guilt. While still listening from being the arras, Polonius, believing that the Queen could be in danger, calls out for help. Tragically, as an audience, we know that Hamlet will act on impulse by confusing Polonius for Claudius. Although Hamlet is unknown of the identity of the man hiding being the arras, he assumes it is Claudius and acts irrationally, killing Polonius. Even immediately after the incident, it is revealed that Hamlet was not sure that he had killed Claudius when he says “Is it the king?” (Act 3, Scene 4, Line 32). It is tragic that the dramatic irony of this scene made is predictable for the audience to determine Polonius’ fate. In this case, Polonius suffers for his...
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...Explain how Shakespeare uses literary elements (irony, tone, mood) to develop two or more themes in the text. Use evidence from the text to support your explanation. Have you ever been confused of why someone you thought loved you betrayed you? In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, There is different emotions throughout act 3. These emotions portray what happens. These themes of confusion and betrayal develop the irony, tone, and mood in act 3 scene 1. Two element’s Shakespeare uses in Hamlet is situational and dramatic irony. A example of this is when Hamlet expresses how he feels about ophelia and says “ You should not have believed me, for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not..” This shows act of betrayal when Hamlet tells ophelia he never loved her when she thought he did and was blindsided by him. Another example of irony is dramatic irony when the king and Polonius are spying on Hamlet and ophelia conversation. This shows act of confusion of what’s wrong with Hamlet as they have seen the betrayal before their eyes. In addition to irony, Shakespeare uses tone to develop the themes....
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...ENG 4U Ms. Straus May 23, 2015 Hamlet Quotation Test Quotation 1: “How all occasions do inform against me And spur my dull revenge! What is a man, If his chief good and market of his time Be but to sleep and feed? a beast, no more. Sure he that made us with such large discourse, Looking before and after, gave us not That capability and godlike reason To fust in us unus’d.” (Hamlet: IV, iv, 3238) Literal Level: This quotation is from Act IV, Scene IV, when Hamlet observes Fortinbras leading the army through Denmark towards Poland. Hamlet learns that the Norwegians are going to war with the Polish over a small, worthless patch of land. In this soliloquy, Hamlet ponders how these men are willing to risk their lives for such a small cause, when he is still so hesitant to act on his revenge on Claudius for his father's murder. 1. This passage helps to develop Hamlet’s character and the plot of the play because it is in this scene that Hamlet realizes that he must act on his revenge plan or else he is just going to be a purposeless “beast”. Throughout the play, Hamlet struggles with whether or not to exact revenge on Claudius because he is not certain of all of the facts. When Hamlet sees how willing the soldiers are to fight over such a small piece of land, he realizes that without action Hamlet is not taking advantage of the gift of life that God has given him. Hamlet realizes that humans have “capability and godlike reason” and that ...
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...Known for its grand introduction to sin,seduction, and suspense, Shakespearean plays deem to the reputation of leaving readers balancing on the tip of their toes. Throughout Shakespeare's several works , one can not tell whether his pieces became very famous in literature for its clever wordplay, or its endearing dramatic irony. In Hamlet, by no other than Shakespeare himself, a glimpse into the suspenseful world is given to readers right from the first line of the play. Having the ability to truly finesse suspense in the first line of a play, is not a talent that is seen everyday. As uncommon as it is, the play begins with a question being asked from one soldier to the other. Right from the start, this develops the format of the this play...
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...In the Tragedy of Hamlet, Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to keep the audience engaged in the play. A good example of dramatic irony in Shakespeare’s Hamlet is found in Act I Sc.5. The king’s ghost appears to Hamlet and reveals to him the truth about his death. The whole country of Denmark knows that the king had been bitten by a snake, but only Hamlet and two of his friends know that in reality it was the king’s own brother Claudius who killed him. Through this incident, Shakespeare manipulates audience’s sympathies, develops character and the conflict of the play. Claudius is a character that awakes antipathy in the audience from the beginning of the play, because of reasons such as him marrying his brother’s wife and being insensitive at Hamlet’s mourning the loss of his father. Finding out that Claudius was the one who killed the king intensifies the audience’s feelings of antipathy towards Claudius. At the same time, Shakespeare uses the same incident to awake in the audience feelings of sympathy towards Hamlet, who is deeply affected by his father’s death and by finding out that his father was killed by his uncle. By revealing to the audience emotionally charged incidents, Shakespeare manages to manipulate the audience’s sympathies. Shakespeare develops Hamlet’s character in this scene, as his feelings of anger and sorrow are intensified. He expresses that he has had a suspicion about his uncle even before the Ghost could tell him what he did. Following the encounter...
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...Theme and Understanding Discussion: Battle of the Critics - Formative Activity 6 – ISP Reflective Journal Dropbox: Reflective Journal - Formative Activity 7 – Culminating Activity Dropbox: Best Poem in the World (5%) Discussion: Best Poem - Formative Unit 3 – 25% Activity 1 – Culminating Assignment Essay Module Discussion: Integrated Quotations - Formative Discussion: Elaboration of Evidence - Formative Activity 2 – Worldviews and Interpretations Dropbox: “The Return” Response (Parts A, B, and C) - Formative Activity 3 – Text Attack Discussion: The 5 ‘W’’s - Formative Activity 4 – Dramatic Irony Dropbox: Incidents of Dramatic Irony – 2.5% Activity 5 – Target the Audience Discussion: Cultural/Political Passage - Formative Activity 6 – Allusions in Hamlet Dropbox: Allusion Chart – Formative Discussion: Posting Allusion Chart - Formative Activity 7 – Hamlet Act IV & Preparing to Write the Literary Essay Dropbox: Cause...
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...times. The Tragedy of Hamlet is written as substantial, yet subtle in this dramatic play. Shakespeare creates this drama with twists and turns in each scene, which spikes some readers to sit on the edge of one’s seat. Shakespeare uses soliloquies, dramatic dialogues, and revenge tragedy to unfold a tremendous amount of details of Hamlet, thus causing a dramatic irony approach. Between the Franco Zeffirelli’s version and the Laurence Oliver’s version of this tragedy, characters are distinctively played. While Hamlet’s life is crumbling in front of him, those surrounded, specifically Ophelia, are also being affected. In this play, Ophelia...
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