Hamlet In the play Hamlet a crime is commited by a brother against his own blood. This crime is a central event of the play that two main characters each reflect upon in their own manner. Shakespeare uses many tools including tone and syntax to reveal how each character feels about the event. Tone is an important aspect of all Shakespeare's works. In lines 42-44 the kings ... betrayal by his brother, "That adulterate beast...witchcraft of his wits...his shameful lust." The king also expresses a vengeful tone against his brother in lines 81-84,"If thou hast nature in thee, bear it not..." Clea...

• Word Count: 852
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... an infectious root for corruption, further expounded as Marcellus illustrates with visual imagery "something is rotten in the state of Denmark." The state of dystopian Denmark sets the tone and melancholic mood for the entirety of the play, Shakespeare's timing of establishing the play in the opening acts as "rotten" and "unweeded" serves as ... at the timing of his mother's marriage by comparing her to "a beast" and negating Gertrude's initial grief as "unrighteous tears." Shakespeare uses juxtaposition to contrast Hamlet's feelings of disgust and inadequacy with Gertrude's sudden hap...

• Word Count: 782
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate