Irony in Shakespearean literature reveals the unexpected and is highly valued. William Shakespeare masterfully employed three different types of irony: dramatic, verbal, and situational, each lending its own distinctive taste to his literary works. Shakespeare often uses dramatic irony to…
Tag: hamlet
Hamlet
Introduction to Hamlet Hamlet is one of the best plays of all time written by William Shakespeare. According to literary scholars, there has never been such a play by his predecessors and successors alike. It is known as The Tragedy…
Hamlet Themes
‘Theme’ is an overarching idea, philosophy, and belief used in the literary works by a writer to show these concepts directly or indirectly. However, in the case of Hamlet, this single idea sometimes fail to cope with the issue in…
Hamlet Characters
Characters are people used by authors to present their stories, ideas, beliefs or doctrines. Characters make up the whole world of a literary piece. Hamlet’s famous characters have given births to various other characters, beliefs, and ideas in the world…
Hamlet Symbolism
Symbolism means an artistic and poetic expression or style using figurative images and indirect ideas to express mystical ideas, emotions, and states of mind. The reader will find significant symbolism thought the play ‘Hamlet’ which shows a variety of connotations…
Hamlet Quotes
Quotes are golden words uttered by characters in a literary piece. Hamlet is considered a masterpiece on this account that it has hundreds of golden quotes. Hamlet’s famous quotes, or quotations are used in every part of the world for…
10 Examples of Irony in Shakespeare
Shakespeare is one of the prevailing masters of irony – he uses dramatic, situational, and verbal irony in such a way that few others have been able to replicate. Truly, when one talks about irony, if they do not talk…
Hamlet Act-I, Scene-III Study Guide
Plot Overview This scene takes place at the residence of Polonius, in a room in the castle of Elsinore. His son, Laertes, offers overprotective advice to his sister, Ophelia, who is in love with Prince Hamlet. His tone shows that…
Something is Rotten in the State of Denmark
“Something is Rotten in the State of Denmark” This evocative phrase originates from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet. Marcellus, a guard, utters these words to Horatio in Act I, Scene IV, after witnessing the ghost of the late King Hamlet. The…
Hamlet Act-I, Scene-II Study Guide
This scene opens in the court of King Claudius. The king is engaged in preaching ethics to his family members and courtiers regarding balancing life between sorrows and everyday preoccupations. He vows to combine and sustain the grief he feels…
Hamlet Act-I, Scene-I Study Guide
Plot Overview In the first scene of Hamlet, Barnardo, a guard, comes to relieve Francisco, who is his colleague. They are performing their duty as guards on the platform in the castle of Elsinore. Barnardo asks Francisco about his identity.…
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream This profoundly famous phrase originates from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet. Specifically, it appears in Act III, Scene I, within the heart of Prince Hamlet’s most celebrated soliloquy. It follows the iconic opening, “To be, or…
Lady Doth Protest too Much
The Origin of “The Lady Doth Protest Too Much” This enduring phrase originates from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet. Specifically, it appears in Act III, Scene II, during the performance of “The Mousetrap,” a play within the play. Queen Gertrude utters…
Neither a Borrower Nor a Lender Be
Origin of “Neither a Borrower Nor a Lender Be” The well known phrase originates from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. It appears in Act I, Scene III, as part of a lengthy counsel Polonius gives to his son Laertes who is…
Alas, Poor Yorick!
Alas, Poor Yorick! The poignant phrase “Alas, poor Yorick!” originates from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet. It appears in Act V, Scene I, as Hamlet contemplates the skull of Yorick, the former royal jester, while conversing with Horatio in the graveyard.…
Frailty, Thy Name is Woman
Frailty, Thy Name is Woman This poignant phrase originates from William Shakespeare’s tragedy, Hamlet, specifically Act 1, Scene 2. It is uttered by Prince Hamlet as he grapples with the recent death of his father, the former king, and the…
To Thine Own Self Be True
The Enduring Wisdom of “To Thine Own Self Be True” This iconic phrase, originating from William Shakespeare’s masterpiece, Hamlet, continues to resonate across centuries. It appears in Act 1, Scene 3, as advice given by Polonius to his son, Laertes,…
Brevity is the Soul of Wit
Origin of Brevity is the Soul of Wit The phrase “Brevity is the Soul of Wit” originates in William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, specifically Act II, Scene II. Polonius imparts these words to his son, Laertes, as parting advice before Laertes’…