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Nick Daskalakis

8-14

1. Hamlet states that Denmark is a prison because he feels trapped, the warden of the prison being his Uncle Claudius and prison guards or his supervisors being Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Hes not allowed to leave and hes under constant watch by his friends and Polonius. Hamlet also uses calls dreams and ambitions “shadows,” as a way of saying their dark or evil. He makes this metaphor because Claudius' ambition and dream caused him to murder his brother for the throne and his wife.
2. Hamlet uses a lot of figurative language in his speech including imagery, metaphors, and hyperbole’s. Hamlet uses imagery when he says, “this most excellent canopy, the air—look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire” (Shakespeare II,II 322-325) portraying the sky and the castle. “why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapors,” (Shakespeare II,II 325-326) here Hamlet compares the sky to disease and dust, showing his new pessimistic view of the world. He also goes on to call humans, “How noble in reason, how infinite in faculties,” (Shakespeare II,II 327-328) this is a hyperbole saying all humans are extremely noble and righteous, also saying they're, “In action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god:” (Shakespeare II,II 329-330). After he talks human kind up so much he goes on to say that they are nothing but dust. Shakespeare uses this play to talk about how human think they are so superior to everything but in the end were insignificant to the universe.
3. Polonius, like Jephthah sacrifices his own daughter for his own ambitions. He uses his daughters relationship with Hamlet to get close to the king, and he even sacrifices her happiness for his own gain.
4. After hearing the speech, Hamlet muses about the strangeness of his situation, He asks himself how the actor can be so angry and sad about Hecuba, an imaginary figure, while he, who has every reason to be angry and sad and seek revenge, is uncertain and weak. He then goes on to curse himself and his uncle.
5. Hamlet uses multiple metaphors in similes to display his poor self-image such as, “Oh, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!” (Shakespeare II,II 577). This shows Hamlet comparing himself to a peasant. He also says, “Why, what an ass am I!” (Shakespeare II,II 611) saying hes an ass and hes stupid. “Must, like a whore, unpack my heart with words And fall a-cursing like a very drab, A scullion!” (Shakespeare II,II 614-616) here Hamlet compares himself to a heartless whore. This shows his terrible self-image and low mindset.
6. Ophelia is told to determine the cause of Hamlet's madness, to do this Claudius and Polonius will be hiding after they called Hamlet to a meeting place with Ophelia. Ophelia is told to pretend to be reading a religious book as she wait as to not look suspicious.
7. ”Oh, ’tis too true! How smart a lash that speech doth give my conscience! The harlot’s cheek, beautied with plastering art, Is not more ugly to the thing that helps it Than is my deed to my most painted word. O heavy burden!” (Shakespeare III,I 56-62).