How Does Shakespeare Use Literary Devices

Shakespeare’s use of Literary Techniques

Candia Ndayizigiye ENG 4U1 Mr. Daranjo Thursday May 9 2013
Bertrand Russell once stated “That in daily life, we as humans assume many things which,
Shakespeare does this by using an antithesis to discuss the value of life and mystery of death. An example is in Act 3, Scene 1 when Hamlet is questioning whether to live or die. He states “To be or not to be, whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer ... (3.1.56-90). This quote demonstrates with the use of antithesis, Hamlet’s ongoing battle with life and death. Hamlet stresses the words “To be” in opposition “or not to be” in expression of living or dying. Through this example that the whole play is “structured to choose either one action over another” In addition, Shakespeare uses a synecdoche to reveal morality through Hamlet’s doubt. For instance in Act 1 Scene 2 after both Claudius and Gertrude leave court, Hamlet asks himself “O that this too too solid flesh would melt Thaw and resolve itself into dew! Or that the Everlasting had not fixed’d His canon 'gainst self-slaughter!” (1.2.129-59). In this example Shakespeare uses “flesh to represent physical life; while Hamlet’s flesh melting, thawing and resolving itself into dew as a metaphor for dying” (). Additionally, Shakespeare uses an aphorism to reveal morality through deception of a character’s appearance. For instance in Act1, Scene 3 when Polonius gives advice to Laertes, he states “To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man” (1.3).This quote demonstrates with the use of an
Shakespeare does this by using an analogy to explain the strange, foul and unnatural murder in the state of Denmark. In particular, in Act 1 scene 5 when the late king is stating how he was murdered he states “Murder most foul, as in the best it is; But this most foul, strange and unnatural.” (1.5). This quote demonstrates with the use of an analogy the comparison between foul and murder. This analogy of foul is used to describe the type of murder that was committed. The comparison is used as a tool to reveal the criminal activity going on in Elsinore castle. In addition, Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to reveal criminal activity through the central idea or message of Hamlet. For example in Act 3 Scene 4, when Hamlet and Gertrude are finished talking and Hamlet states “This man shall set me packing. I’ll lug the guts into the neighbour room” (3.4). This quote demonstrates with the use dramatic irony the secrecy of murder. Shakespeare shows us that Hamlet hates deception and craves honesty, yet he is the character who uses deception as a necessary part of life (). Hamlet is a character that while giving advice to his mother cannot follow his own. Lastly, Shakespeare uses theme to explain criminal activity. For explain, in Act 5, scene 2 while Laertes is fencing Hamlet, Laertes is stabbed by his own blade. Laertes states “I am justly kill'd with mine own treachery.” (5.2). This quote demonstrates