Hamlet

Antithesis: establishes a clear, contrasting relationship between two ideas by joining the together or juxtaposing them, often in parallel structure. Human beings are inveterate systematizers and categorizers, so the mind has a natural love for antithesis, which creates a definite and systemic relationship between ideas.

Example :   “Now I am alone.
O what a rogue and peasant slave am I!
Is it not monstrous that this player here,
But in a fiction, in a dream of passion,
Could force his soul so to his own conceit,
That from her working all his visage wann'd,
Tears in his eyes, distraction in's aspect,
A broken voice, and his whole function suiting,
With forms to his conceit?
And all for nothing!...
Yet I, a dull and mudd-mettled rascal, peak...
Am I a coward?
Who calls me villain?...
Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!
O, vengenance!
Why, what an ass am I! "

Function:   At this point of the play, Hamlet, Hamlet is labeled as mad by everyone like his uncle/step-father King Claudius, his mother Lady Gertrude and his friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were trying to interrogate Hamlet to try to see the cause or motive behind Hamlet’s madness. However, because they were fools, they had little success. Then an troupe of actors arrived and Hamlet went to greet them. Hamlet entreats one of the actors to recite a speech about the fall of Troy and the death of the Trojan king and queen, Priam and Hecuba. Hamlet was very impressed and sent them off. He wanted them to perform “The Murder of Gonzango” and an additional skit that Hamlet will write himself. After the actors left and Hamlet was by himself he launched into a soliloquy. In his soliloquy, Hamlet used antithesis by juxtaposing the actor with himself. The actor was sincere in his acting, crying and being passionate. The actor had nothing to draw upon for the passion other than to just act. On the other hand, Hamlet had a real-life... [continues]

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