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  • Essay / The Destructive Humor of Hamlet - 810

    The Destructive Humor of HamletHumor can be funny and uplifting or cynical and destructive. Hamlet's humor insults everyone around him and he is very cynical and leads to his downfall. When Hamlet insults those around him, his words are not clearly understood by those he insults. Hamlet makes Polonius look like a fool when he criticizes him with his words, and Polonius does not know that he is being fooled. Hamlet even makes fun of the courtiers, notably Rosencrantz and Guildernstern. Although Hamlet doesn't stop there, he even insults Claudius and his own mother, Gertrude. Hamlet's lover, Ophelia, is also an unfortunate victim of these remarks. All these insulting remarks show Hamlet's lack of sympathy for others, and this confusion leads to his downfall. When Hamlet feigns madness, Polonius is the most unfortunate victim of Hamlet's insulting and humorous remarks. When Polonius asks Hamlet, “Do you know me, my lord?” (2.2.173) Hamlet responds by saying, “Excellent, you are a fishmonger.” (2.2.174). Hamlet says that Polonius sacrifices his daughter's happiness to gain the king's trust. Hamlet said to Polonius: “For if the sun breeds maggots on a dead dog, being a carrion that kisses well, have you a daughter? (2.2.182-183). Hamlet says that it is not surprising that Polonius is such a hypocrite, because the life-giving sun can produce all sorts of horrible things, especially other horrible things. Polonius asks Hamlet: “Will you come out of the air, my lord? » (2.2.204), and Hamlets responds: “In my grave” (2.2.204). When Polonius suggests that Hamlet go to a warmer room, Hamlet says that he would rather die than go anywhere with Polonius. All these insulting remarks show that Polon...... middle of paper...... Hamlet's humor is crude and insulting to the people around him; this is very cynical and leads to his downfall. Hamlet proves his cynical humor when he deceives Polonius, mocks the courtiers, and insults Claudius, Gertrude, and Ophelia. Hamlet insults Polonius with his words and still finds out what the courtiers were doing. All these experiences show that humor can be joyful but conversely it can be very fatal. Works cited and consulted: Bloom, Harold. Modern Critical Interpretations of Hamlet. New York, NY: Chelsea House Publishers, 1986. Brodwin, Leonora. Analysis of the character of Hamlet. Notes from the monarch. Notes by BrodwinScott-Hopkins, Benjamin. "Dark Humor of Hamlet" Shakespeare-OnlineShakespeare, William. "Hamlet." The Complete William Shakespeare. William George Clark and William Aldis Wright, eds. Press running. 1989.