Symbolism In Macbeth
Symbolism in Hamlet
A symbol in a literary work expresses an idea, clarifies a meaning or enlarges literal meaning. “Hamlet,” the tragic play by Elizabethan author, William Shakespeare, has many symbols that enhance the theme in Denmark; one of which are Ophelia’s songs. Madness and insanity takes effect on multiple characters throughout the play, serving as the central theme. Although a plethora of symbols exist within the characters actions illustrated by Shakespeare, the songs of Ophelia serve as complex portrayals of madness as seen in metaphors and tone.
Shakespeare’s use of metaphors in Ophelia’s songs, enhance the meaning of the work. Ophelia, Hamlet’s lover, loses her mind towards the end of the play as a result of the murder of her father and heartbreak. Her songs represent delirium that has stricken Denmark due to the new air to the throne. Using extended metaphors, Ophelia references her father’s head next to grass and feet next to stone to represent his resting place. Ophelia also sings of Hamlet, calling him, “her valentine” who invited her in as a virgin but her left impure. This stanza in the play uses metaphors to explain how Hamlet took her in as her lover but then let her go saying, “get thee to a nunnery.” Her heartbreak over Hamlet also led to her hysteria.
Ophelia's tone while singing the songs enhances madness in the play. Ophelia references rain pouring down into her fathers grave, which represent tears, because she is mourning the loss. Her songs indicate that the death of her father is the true cause of her delirium. Yet, the songs are sung gaily; which is ironic to how a person would normally deal with the death of a parent. The “happy-go-lucky” tone of this act sets an ironic precedent to the hysteria of the protagonist, Hamlet.
Shakespeare’s use of metaphor and tone in Ophelia’s songs illustrate and enhance the theme of madness in “Hamlet.” The metaphors and tone in the songs both indicate what led Ophelia to her state of
A symbol in a literary work expresses an idea, clarifies a meaning or enlarges literal meaning. “Hamlet,” the tragic play by Elizabethan author, William Shakespeare, has many symbols that enhance the theme in Denmark; one of which are Ophelia’s songs. Madness and insanity takes effect on multiple characters throughout the play, serving as the central theme. Although a plethora of symbols exist within the characters actions illustrated by Shakespeare, the songs of Ophelia serve as complex portrayals of madness as seen in metaphors and tone.
Shakespeare’s use of metaphors in Ophelia’s songs, enhance the meaning of the work. Ophelia, Hamlet’s lover, loses her mind towards the end of the play as a result of the murder of her father and heartbreak. Her songs represent delirium that has stricken Denmark due to the new air to the throne. Using extended metaphors, Ophelia references her father’s head next to grass and feet next to stone to represent his resting place. Ophelia also sings of Hamlet, calling him, “her valentine” who invited her in as a virgin but her left impure. This stanza in the play uses metaphors to explain how Hamlet took her in as her lover but then let her go saying, “get thee to a nunnery.” Her heartbreak over Hamlet also led to her hysteria.
Ophelia's tone while singing the songs enhances madness in the play. Ophelia references rain pouring down into her fathers grave, which represent tears, because she is mourning the loss. Her songs indicate that the death of her father is the true cause of her delirium. Yet, the songs are sung gaily; which is ironic to how a person would normally deal with the death of a parent. The “happy-go-lucky” tone of this act sets an ironic precedent to the hysteria of the protagonist, Hamlet.
Shakespeare’s use of metaphor and tone in Ophelia’s songs illustrate and enhance the theme of madness in “Hamlet.” The metaphors and tone in the songs both indicate what led Ophelia to her state of