Figurative Language
Greek mythology is frequently referenced figuratively by way of this device.
What is allusion?
This mythological character turned to stone whilst mourning their children. To Hamlet, his mother, for a time, reacted to his father's death the same way.
Who is Niobe?
So excellent was this character, like "Hyperion to a satyr"
Who is King Hamlet?
Hamlet recognizes that Denmark is beginning to descend into corruption, using metaphor to compare it to this.
What is "an unweeded garden"?
Although it would be immoral to go against God's fix'd canon, Hamlet considers this motif due to his grief throughout the entire play.
What is the motif of suicide/death?
Hamlet does not dislike this character, although he will come to develop a severe hatred towards them for, amongst other things, having stolen his only remaining family.
Who is King Claudius?
What is simile?
These punctuation marks represent Hamlet's vulnerable, emotional state, as his mind jumps from place to place.
What are em-dashes?
Even a "beast, that wants discourse of reason" would have reacted more appropriately to Old Hamlet's death.
Who is Queen Gertrude?
This metaphor compared Gertrude's ____ to the brief month for which she mourned King Hamlet.
What are shoes?
Typically conjoined with the ideas of immorality, this motif creates a strong real-world relationship to the play.
What is the motif of corruption?
Sometimes, this royal wishes that their own solid flesh would have melted into a dew, if not for the sin of suicide.
Who is Hamlet?
It's used when referring the woman whose name has become "Frailty"
What is apostrophe?
Without his father, the uses of the world feel this way to Hamlet.
What is "flat and unprofitable"?
Hamlet ends this soliloquy, holding his tongue as these people enter the room (Answer 2 only).
Who are Horatio/Marcellus/Bernardo?