Why Does Shakespeare Use Humor In Hamlet

Hamlet Research Paper Rough Draft
“How and why does Shakespeare use Humor in Hamlet”
Introduction: Even the darkest plays are full of comedy. Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, is a good example of this. Amongst the dark themes, one of the most prominent components to the play would be humor. At times, these comedic moments overshadow all the seriousness and drama. Shakespeare uses comedy to enhance various elements of the play, whether it be for contextual effect or just for laughs.
Paragraph 1: Most of the humor in this play comes from Hamlet himself. Hamlet’s “madness” in the play becomes apparent through all his remarks and comments to different characters. However, he might not really be mad. Through the whole play, Hamlet is a very witty and quick character. His use of of clever wordplay and sarcasm allows for a comical pathway, even at the most serious of times. Perhaps Hamlet doesn’t actually go mad during the events of the play. It would be his dark humor that holds his mind in an even balance (Hamlet’s Humor).
Paragraph 2: The use of comedy in this play is used for relief of the serious nature to the plot. A humorous scene in a tragedy or drama has the ability to temporarily alter the mood of the play and relieve some tension. A perfect example of this would be the gravedigger scene, as the clowns share witty comments, bringing light to the dark atmosphere. It relieves the seriousness of Polonius’ death, Ophelia’s madness, and the revenge subplot going on with Laertes

This works hand in hand with comic relief because as said before, comic relief in a tragedy allows for a brief moment of distraction. This ends up making the intense moments even more so.
Conclusion: While Hamlet has some serious issues, it is lightened up with puns, sarcasm, and wit. If Shakespeare did not include humor in his work, the play would be much more depressing than it already