Foils And Irony In Hamlet

Hamlet is one of the greatest literature pieces of all time, there is no doubt. But what makes Hamlet such a well known play? The main reason so many people read Hamlet is because of Shakespeare’s great use of literary techniques. The two main literary techniques that turn the play into a work of art are the use of character foils and irony. Shakespeare’s use of the literary techniques foils and irony turn Hamlet into a work of art.

Shakespeare includes foils throughout the play, causing readers to enjoy it over 400 years after Shakespeare wrote the masterpiece. One foil that definitely improves the play is one of Hamlet’s foils Fortinbras. Both of their fathers died and they both want revenge, yet they take different approaches. While Hamlet

had numerous chances to kill Claudius he never did anything. Fortinbras on the other hand, asks for permission to cross through a country to take revenge, “Tell him that, by his license, Fortinbras craves the conveyance of a promised march over his kingdom.” (4, 4, 2-4). When reading about Fortinbras taking action it really highlights Hamlet’s inaction. This creates a tremendous amount of suspense and wonder because everyone is rooting for Hamlet to murder Claudius and get his revenge. Yet he does not. Fortinbras takes every opportunity he gets to deliver revenge, quite unlike Hamlet, who continues to wait until he is practically dead to kill Claudius. Another character that is a foil of Hamlet’s is Laertes. When Laertes hears about his father’s death he rushes to Denmark in fury ready for blood. After arriving Laertes states, “How came he dead? I’ll not be juggled with. To hell, allegiance! Vows, to the blackest devil!” (4, 5, 28-29). He even became more furious once he found his sister Ophelia, gone mad from his father’s death. He didn’t care where he had his revenge, even if it was in church! This definitely is a huge contrast to Hamlet’s lack of action. These foils help create an intriguing story because it really puts Hamlet’s failure to speedy revenge, in the spotlight.

Another literary technique that adds to Hamlet’s unique magnificence is irony.

One example of expertly used irony is when Hamlet is talking to his mother when he hears a noise behind the curtains, so he stabs the figure behind the tapestries thinking it is Claudius, “How now, a rat? Dead for a ducat, dead!” (3, 4, 24), only to find out it is Polonius. This irony can be interpreted as dramatic irony, because the audience knows Polonius is behind the curtains while Hamlet does not. It can also be interpreted as situational irony, because Hamlet suspects that the person spying on him is Claudius. Wanting to avenge his father, he stabs him through the curtain but it turned out to be Polonius. Doing this initiates a chain of events that lead to his tragic death. Another prime example of irony increasing the enjoyment of the readers for the past 400 years is when Laertes is killed by his own poisoned sword. When Osric asks Laertes how he is doing right after he was scratched with his own sword, Laertes responds, “Why, as a woodcock to mine own springe, Osric. I am justly killed with mine own treachery.” (5, 2, 308-309). It is quite ironic that Laertes is murdered by his own plan. One would expect Laertes to draw first blood as he is a better skilled swordsman than Hamlet. However, he dies by poison first because the sword that was intended to kill Hamlet was used on him; this is situational irony. Irony brings a greater depth to the story.

In conclusion Shakespeare included intricate

literary elements to increase the beauty of the story. Foils were used to highlight Hamlet’s flaw of not taking action. Irony was used to bring more depth to the story. Hamlet’s literary techniques, foils and irony, helped turn it into a work of art.