How Does Shakespeare Use Humor In Hamlet

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Hamlet, the protagonist in William Shakespeare’s tragedy of the same name, uses his sense of humor to aid in his plot for revenge. The sudden death of his father along with his mother’s quick marriage to his uncle gives reason for Hamlet’s intense grief and feeling of betrayal. After speaking to his father’s ghost, Hamlet decides on a method of revenge. The key aspect of Hamlet’s plan is to convince everyone in Denmark that he has gone mad, thereby giving him a mask to hide behind as he plots the King's murder. Hamlet’s subtle and persistent humor gives evidence to his soundness of mind and allows him the opportunity to obtain sense of the intelligence of those around him.

Hamlet’s humor takes many forms that depend on the person with whom …show more content…
Slanders, sir. For the satirical rogue says here

that old men have gray beards, that their faces are

wrinkled, their eyes purging thick amber and

plum-tree gum, and that they have a plentiful lack of

wit, together with most weak hams. (Shakespeare 2.2. 214-218)

By claiming that the author points out that everyone grows old and becomes foolish, Hamlet is indirectly saying that Polonius is old and has lost his wit, a truth Polonius has yet to understand about himself. Hamlet is pointedly making fun of Polonius in a way Polonius will not comprehend. Once again, Polonius comes to the conclusion that Hamlet’s madness is speaking, when it is really Hamlet’s sanity mocking Polonius for fun.

Another aspect of Hamlet’s humor comes forth while interacting with his old school friends who have since turned to spy on him. This time, Hamlet’s humor is calculating and accusatory. After Rosencrantz and Guildenstern begin following Hamlet on the orders of Claudius in an attempt to figure out the location of the body of Polonius, Hamlet turns on them and says:

HAMLET. When he needs what you have

gleaned, it is but squeezing you, and, sponge, you

shall be dry
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