Friday, February 8, 2013

What are examples of irony in this speech from Hamlet? How all occasions do inform against me. And spur my dull revenge! What is a man, If his...

There are several instances of irony that can be discussed within the context of this speech.  The first is that the speech is about how useless words are, and yet, he gives a speech to say it.  He bemoans the fact that all he has done to this point is talk and talk and talk, and in doing so, he talks even more about it.  So there is that.  Then, he realizes, finally, and only upon seeing men march out onto the battlefield, what a coward he has been.  The irony here lies in the very unusual place and circumstance upon which he decides to act; he could have enacted revenge many, many times while in the castle, but he does not.  That is unexpected, as is his sudden resolve in on a battlefield far, far away.  It is a rather ironic setting to finally decide to act on his revenge.  And, upon deciding to act, it is conveniently far, far away from the castle where he could actually do so.  It is easy to say you will be brave when you are not in the situation where bravery is required, and Hamlet has shown that when put in that situation, he tends to back out.


I hope that those thoughts helped a bit; good luck!

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