Hamlet is rich in irony of all types. We see various examples of irony interspersed throughout each act of the play. For example, we see dramatic irony in the third act in the scene where Hamlet confronts Queen Gertrude. When Hamlet notices someone listening in on his conversation behind the curtains, the audience is aware that it is not King Claudius hiding, but rather Polonius. Hamlet impulsively murders Polonius, simply creating more conflict for himself.
Acts IV and V contain especially ironic twists of fate as the story closes in on its conclusion. Find at least one example of irony in these final two acts, identify the type of irony, and explain the ironic device's function in the plot.
10 comments:
In act IV scene VII, we are presented with the information that Ophelia has committed suicide. In the midst of the conversation between Claudius and Laertes, Gertrude interrupts saying, “One woe doth tread upon another’s heel, so fast they follow” (161-2). The way in which Ophelia’s suicide is presented is extremely important, and consequently ironic, because of the unexpected nature of the event. This example of situational irony demonstrates the way in which incidents can occur fast upon the heel s of other bad news. No character in the scene, not to mention the reader, expects to be presented so suddenly with news of this caliber.
Furthermore, Ophelia’s suicide is ironic because we do not witness her death. Instead, we are merely presented with her death like a blow to the face, causing the event to become a true twist of fate. As the play nears its conclusion, so many things are going on and so many characters become inextricably involved in Hamlet’s madness that it becomes quite easy to overlook Ophelia’s sad situation. Earlier in Act IV, we are given hints of Ophelia’s unfortunate fate, but we tend to dismiss her behavior as lunacy and not any different from Hamlet’s behavior. So the question becomes, what makes Ophelia any different? What causes her to act upon her grief? As the play progresses, we realize that Ophelia acts as an instrument of Hamlet’s madness. Through Ophelia, Hamlet inadvertently exposes his insanity, whether it is interpreted as actual madness or just foolish love. Since Ophelia is used by Hamlet, it’s ironic that Ophelia should die in order to allow Hamlet the chance to atone himself, because it seems as though Hamlet should need Ophelia to confront Claudius. This could possibly be one reason that the play concludes in such a tragic manner.
Act V opens with two grave-diggers digging Ophelia's grave. Hamlet, on his way back from the failed England trip, and Horatio come across the grave-diggers but are not aware that it is for his love Ophelia. They across the two diggers talking about the royal family and all their drama and their opinions. This is a major point of irony. Without meaning to, Hamlet is listening to them talk about him and his family. Another point of irony is that the first grave digger uses elevated language when at those times, grave diggers were jobs for the lowly class. And lastly, this scene foreshadows Hamlet's death
As a continuation of Emily's post, there is a considerable amount of irony in Act V, Scene 1 with the gravediggers, especially verbal irony. The gravedigger has a relatively dismal occupation, yet he sings and frollicks amongst the skulls. It is also rather ironic that Hamlet, upon seeing the gravedigger diggin, firstly gasps at the disrespect shown by the gravedigger as he flings a skull away. Hamlet is appalled by the way in which the lowly gravedigger belittles the importance of the former person (politician, lawyer, man of considerable rank, etc...). Initially one would think a man that SHOULD be king would care to know who had passed, not what was happening to bones of a person long dead. Yet when Hamlet finds out who the grave is for it ends up being Ophelia, the very girl whom he once loved.
["Isn't it ironic... (don't ya think?)"]
In my opinion, the final two acts are the two most ironic of all. Throughout the entire play, Hamlet is struggling within himself over his decision whether or not to take revenge on his uncle and murder him the way Claudius did to Hamlet's father. When Hamlet finally comes to terms with his decision to go through with the murder, he decides he will accept whatever fate throws at him. The irony is that he can achieve this revenge without losing his morals. Had Hamlet known that all along, he could have saved himself a lot of struggle.
I found a quote that was rather Ironic in scene 1. After Laertes and Hamlet are taken out of Ophelia's grave, Hamlet comments, "Be buried quick with her, and so will I" (V.i.247) as a sort of maddening taunt towards Laertes as he grieves rather excessively. Little known to the characters, the phrase is an actual foreshadowing of both of their deaths, and the deaths themselves are said in the correct order. To a reader who already knows how the play ends, it would be dramatic irony to know of this foreshadowing. Also ironic in this passage is when Hamlet says that "every dog will have his day," possibly alluding to Himself, Laertes, or the King. This verbal irony pokes fun at the fact that he is dismissing death as it is as commonplace as a cat meowing. And this sentiment turns very true as everyone dies by the end of the play.
The irony in Hamlet is most evident in the last two scenes. One example of the irony is when Hamlet is telling Horatio about how he replaced the letter that was meant for his execution to be one for either Rosencratz or Guildenstern. It is ironic situational irony that they think that they will be murdering him when in fact, one of them will die. Hamlet says he feels no sympathy for them, seeing as how they were betraying him by following Claudius's orders. This irony helps Hamlet in his quest to kill off all that have angered him, so that Hamlet will finally be able to avenge his father.
Because of the events that led up to it, I found the final scene in the play fairly ironic. We see Claudius and Laertes preparing a multitude of ways to kill Hamlet, from sharpened swords to poisoned weapons to poisoned wine. Essentially, this is overkill - they would really only have to kill Hamlet once. When the action is finally revealed, it turns out that there were, indeed, too many methods of murder in the room, as in a fit of dramatic irony almost EVERY SINGLE PERSON died - with Hamlet, the intended target, being among the last.
Ray, wonderful question on irony! I will leave specific closing comments to Ray and have him point out what he thought was effective about your answers. Thanks to all of you who posted!
Great Job guys! There seems to be a wide range of opinion among the class, all of you had valid conclusions! For those few that haven't commented yet, continue with Ray's question, why do you think Shakespear employs each type of irony throughout the piece? Try to give examples supporting your post.
In a display of situational irony, readers discover that Hamlet has replaced an execution for himself with an execution letter for Rosencratz and Guildenstern. Rosencratz or Guildenstern are still under the impression that Hamlet is the one to be executed. It is additionally ironic that Rosencratz or Guildenstern, the betrayers, end up ultimately betrayed in a quest for vengeance.
-Diana
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