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“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare: To Be or Not to Be Essay (Review)

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Introduction

“To be or not to be” is one of the most iconic lines in dramaturgy and literature which has grown to define the play Hamlet, written by the famous playwright William Shakespeare in 1599 (Hamlet 3.1.64). In centuries since, it has become one of the most studied, reenacted, and discussed plays ever written due to the genius of its plot, themes, and style. Hamlet is a tragic tale of revenge and justice which highlights the human tragic flaws that Shakespeare masterfully introduces into the plot through philosophical soliloquies, deeply symbolic imagery, and the use of tone and verse for portrayal.

Themes

Hamlet is a relatively complex play with numerous overlapping themes, the primary ones being revenge and having to face mortality. Death is a continuous presence in the plot as Hamlet loses his father and then attempts to kill Claudius, as a result, directly and indirectly, causing the death of other key characters. Although the primary plot point revolves around revenge, the theme itself is focused on the inner struggle of Hamlet of whether such an action is just and moral. He questions his motifs and the need for such bloodlust. This transitions into the next theme of mortality which is directly interconnected with another concept that the inevitable cannot be avoided. The dark tones that Shakespeare paints in Hamlet and through Hamlet’s suicidal ramblings, the world is seemingly full of death. From the point when confronted with his father’s ghost, Hamlet inevitably accepts that mortality cannot be avoided, which fully drives his actions.

In one of his soliloquies Hamlet states, “we defy augury. There is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it is now, ’tis not to come; if it is not to come, it will be now; if it is not now, yet it will come” (Hamlet 5.2.233). It is a discussion on the theme of fate, which is predetermined. Despite omens that may be warning Hamlet, the ultimate fate of his death is decided, and therefore there is no sense in delay or fear. At the same time, the play also comments on the impossibility of certainty and within its motifs, challenges the status quo and expectations of the characters (Lim 5). It begins with supernatural such as the presence of the ghost and Hamlet attempting to glance into Claudius’ soul, to the mystery of the crime and the need for revenge. Some things that seem certain are complex and thus leading to challenges of morality and indecisiveness of Hamlet on how to act.

Shakespeare’s Style

Like many of Shakespeare’s major plays, Hamlet is written in iambic pentameter, using a combination of prose and verse. Shakespeare selectively uses blank verse and uses language to help the reader understand the character’s socioeconomic class as well as psychological state and mood. The mix of prose and verse was common for Shakespeare and other dramatists from that period, redefining the predecessor style of rhyming verse. In the play, Hamlet, as royalty and an educated man, is expected to use iambic pentameter and near-perfect blank verse. However, as Hamlet undergoes the emotional struggle, he breaks verse and speaks in prose, demonstrating evident psychological complexity. It is with this critical mastery that Shakespeare is able to translate the tone of the setting, the tension of situations, and the sensitive emotions of the characters. The style of language is also reflecting in character relationships, as Hamlet speaks in prose with Horatio whom he trusts while adopts erratic prose to demonstrate pretense madness to Claudius (Ballard).

More about Hamlet

Use of Techniques

Shakespeare uses a variety of techniques to drive forward the plot, reveal the inner thoughts of the protagonist, and implement literary devices such as foreshadowing, irony, and soliloquies. Subtle meanings and phrases foreshadow the events going forward and allow readers to examine Hamlet’s emotional journey and coming to terms with his quest for revenge. Irony creates rapport in character dialogue and allows to create interest and comedic relief. Symbolism, metaphors, and imagery are all thoroughly present in Hamlet. For example, the skull of Yorick is a symbol of death, while the whole play is considered a metaphor for religion where characters reason between morality, mortality, and damnation. Soliloquies and asides are techniques utilized in the play as Hamlet uses it as a unique approach to demonstrate the most intimate thoughts and establish inner conflict which drives the philosophical discussion and moral arguments of the plot. These techniques and literary devices are necessary for the development of the themes and events of the story, creating depth and complexity to the play.

Conclusion

The masterful use of style, technique, and language by Shakespeare to emphasize the themes of Hamlet is universally applauded. It strongly contributes to the uniqueness and significance that the play has established in modern literary doctrine. The symbolic nature of imagery along with the literary devices and soliloquies which Shakespeare utilizes allows for an in-depth examination of human nature and flaws regarding the aspect of revenge.

Works Cited

Ballard, Kim. British Library. 2016, Web.

Lim, Vanessa. “‘To be or not to be’: Hamlet’s Humanistic Quaestio.” The Review of English Studies, 2019, pp. 1-19.

Shakespeare, William. Edited by Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. Folger Shakespeare Library, n.d. Folger Digital Texts, Web.

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IvyPanda. 2021. "“Hamlet” by William Shakespeare: To Be or Not to Be." September 7, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/hamlet-by-william-shakespeare-to-be-or-not-to-be/.

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