Hamlet (2009 Film) Irony

Hamlet (2009 Film) Irony

Irony of Hamlet

At the beginning of the film, Hamlet is visited by his father's ghost, who informs Hamlet that Claudius is his murderer. Hamlet then sets to get revenge on Claudius for murdering his father, in order to restore justice to Denmark. However, on the way Hamlet kills Polonius, which arguably makes him just as bad as Claudius.

Situational irony

Hamlet's killing of Polonius comes as a shock to the audience, who don't expect Hamlet to kill anybody other than Claudius. Perhaps this is a sign that Hamlet is no longer in control of his own actions, and is falling into madness.

Dramatic irony

One example of dramatic irony in Hamlet is where King Hamlet returns as a ghost to speak to his son. He tells Prince Hamlet that he was killed by Claudius. Throughout the film, other characters are not aware of this conversation Prince Hamlet had with his late father, but the audience is.

Irony of love

Although Hamlet apparently loves Ophelia, he kills her father Polonius. This act causes Ophelia so much grief that she becomes insane and kills herself.

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