BIOL1008 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Irony, Existentialism, Rhetorical Question
The anguished outpourings of Hamlet’s soliloquies reveal psychological insights which chart the reluctant
avengers increasingly disturbed and alienated outlook of the world.
With close reference to soliloquies, demonstrate how the texts value is enhanced through the dramatically
compelling protagonist.
The success of Shakespeare’s Hamlet can be attributed to the dramatically compelling protagonist who
deals with key human issues that have universal significance. Through the exploration of universal issues,
responders become aware of Hamlet’s alienated outlook of the world, caused by his struggle with
verisimilitude amidst the corruption the surrounds him. As well as this, Hamlet is bound by filial duty that
stems from contemporary Elizabethan values to exact revenge, however, his search for a truth to morally
justify revenge reveals his reluctance and humanist desire to defy his pre-determined destiny. Even though
many of Shakespeare’s authorial decisions are guided by contemporary Elizabethan values, his treatment
of universal issues enhances the texts value, allowing it to resonate with audiences across time.
Shakespeare reveals these universal issues, primarily through Hamlet’s soliloquies as well as a range of
other dramatic techniques, and in doing so achieves textual integrity
The corruption that surrounds Hamlet causes him to question the veracity of those around him, forcing
him to delay in taking revenge. Through the characterisation of those around Hamlet, Shakespeare reveals
to the audience the ease of concealing the truth, and the overwhelming deceit that Hamlet must decipher
in order to find the truth. Claudius’ characterisation as a deceptive Machiavellian catalyses Hamlet’s
disturbed and alienated outlook of the world, enhancing the texts value through the universal applicability
of Hamlet’s search for truth. “Though yet of Hamlet our dear brother’s death … to bear our hearts in grief”
depicts Claudius’ mendacious court address; revealed to responders as false through dramatic irony and
biblical allusion of “the ghost that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown.” Due to Claudius’ deceit,
Hamlet’s outlook on the world becomes alienated and confused, exemplified through biblical allusion of
“the primal elder’s curse.” Metaphor of “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” foreshadows
Hamlet’s increasingly disturbed outlook of the world as he is constantly confronted with deception in his
search for a morally justifiable truth. Thus, audiences across time realise the catalyst for Hamlet’s
confusion and disillusion; enhancing the texts value through the dramatically compelling protagonist.
Due to Hamlet’s alienated outlook of the world, he expresses his discontent in his anguished outpourings
of his soliloquies which appeal to audiences across contexts due to the universally applicable search for
truth that Hamlet endures. It is evident that Claudius’ manipulation and deception has caused Hamlet’s
confusion between appearance and reality and as such, through Shakespeare’s use of soliloquy “O that this
too too sullied flesh” (1,2) Hamlet is able to express his malcontent and anger; creating a dramatically
compelling protagonist that resonates within responders of across all contexts. “An unweeded garden that
grows to seed, things rank and gross in nature” foreshadows the corruption that ensues under Claudius’
reign, engaging Elizabethan audiences through the Divine Right of Kings whilst depicting the power of the
King over Denmark. This extended metaphor exemplifies Hamlet’s anger and confusion towards Claudius
who he describes through classical allusions as “No more like my father, than I to Hercules.” Due to the
corruption and deceit surrounding Hamlet, he feels as if there is no use in life; revealed in the existentialist
tone and rhetorical question within “How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this
world.” The texts value is enhanced through the exploration of the humanist and existentialist notions that
challenged Christian beliefs of a “canon against self slaughter.” However, due to the overwhelming
surveillance and scrutiny that Hamlet endures, he must express these thoughts only in soliloquies making
him dramatically compelling and appealing to responders; epitomised through the metaphor “But break
my heart, for I must hold my tongue.” Ultimately, the dramatically compelling protagonist is created and
enhanced through these soliloquies which express his alienated outlook of the world, thus enhancing the
texts value through the treatment of universal issues.
Through Shakespeare’s parallel construction charting the paths of Hamlet, Laertes and Fortinbras,
Shakespeare is able to explore universal issues of revenge and filial obligation, enhancing the texts value
Document Summary
The anguished outpourings of hamlet"s soliloquies reveal psychological insights which chart the reluctant avengers increasingly disturbed and alienated outlook of the world. With close reference to soliloquies, demonstrate how the texts value is enhanced through the dramatically compelling protagonist. The success of shakespeare"s hamlet can be attributed to the dramatically compelling protagonist who deals with key human issues that have universal significance. Through the exploration of universal issues, responders become aware of hamlet"s alienated outlook of the world, caused by his struggle with verisimilitude amidst the corruption the surrounds him. Even though many of shakespeare"s authorial decisions are guided by contemporary elizabethan values, his treatment of universal issues enhances the texts value, allowing it to resonate with audiences across time. Shakespeare reveals these universal issues, primarily through hamlet"s soliloquies as well as a range of other dramatic techniques, and in doing so achieves textual integrity.
