How Is Comedy Used In Hamlet

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Throughout the story, comedy is persistently used by Hamlet. The comedy is used to not only relieve the constant tension with the tragedy present, but it is also used to display the way Hamlet develops psychologically throughout the story. Hamlet’s character is presented as a very comedic character throughout the story. As Hamlet faces his problems he brings about a sarcastic humor with the way he talks about his issues. This is used to ease the tension with the constant stress and also shows how Hamlet deals with his problems. Later on in the story, the question is presented on whether or not Hamlet is considered “mad.” The comedic attitude that he brings about is often seen as mad by the other characters in the story because of how extreme he takes it. For example, after Polonius informs Hamlet that he once played Julius Caesar in a play Hamlet responds by saying: “It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf there.” Hamlet uses a sarcastic remark that he sees as humorous, but its is …show more content…

Hamlet uses his sarcastic and satirical demeanor in order to poke fun, but also in a way to get his true feelings across. For example, Hamlet says to Claudius “a little more than kin, and less than kind.” In this statement Hamlet is using a pun in order to relieve the anger built up from the way Claudius refers to him as a son. This pun also gets the point across to the reader that Hamlet is furious with his situation despite the humorous tone he presents it with. As the story progresses Hamlet continues on by using his humor in almost a coping mechanism for how he truly feels. While Hamlet is in front of Horatio and others he trusts he is much more straightforward with his thoughts and feelings. However, when Hamlet talks to someone like Claudius who has done him wrong, he uses witty remarks in order to get his point

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