FREE ESSAY ON HAMLET'S DEPRESSION

HAMLET'S DEPRESSION

Throughout Hamlet, Shakespeare does not directly disclose his characters' feelings.
Instead, Shakespeare uses various literary devices to inform the reader of the
character's desires, feelings and emotions. Shakespeare uses literary devices such as
metaphor, diction, metonymy and imagery to reveal Hamlet's state of mind in this passage.
By using these literary devices, Hamlet's depressed and weary state of mind is easy to
see.
Hamlet first discusses his depression with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. He describes the
land of Denmark as a metaphorical "prison" in which he is confined. Hamlet believes that
Denmark is "too narrow" for his mind to be free, and his ambitions are trapped within
him, like a prisoner confined in a jail. Metonymy is employed when Hamlet uses the land
of Denmark to represent the King. All of his current thoughts are wrapped up in the King,
and he is bound to land of Denmark, unable to leave. 
Imagery is an important aspect in developing Hamlet's emotions. Hamlet speaks of the
earth as a "sterile promontory," appearing to him as nothing "...but a foul and pestilent
congregation of vapours." Even though the earth is full of "golden fire" he sees nothing
but a barren, rocky, ugly world. Hamlet's tainted view of his surroundings depicts his
innermost feelings of depression in a way, which is easy for the reader to see and
understand. 
Hamlet's feelings of hopelessness are exemplified with Shakespeare's diction in this
passage. Hamlet says that he has "lost all [his] mirth" and feels there is no way out. He
implies this by saying that "Doomsday" is near. This foreshadows Hamlet's course of
action, whether that is his death or a part in the death of someone else. 
By using literary elements such as metonymy, diction, imagery and metaphor, Hamlet's true
mood is revealed. After all these literary elements are analyzed, Hamlet's feelings can
be better understood. The reader learns of Hamlet's deep depression, with his references
to prison, Doomsday and a bleak, barren world. Perhaps everything would be different in a
later part of the book, as Hamlet's emotions begin to change.