Dark Humor In Hamlet
In William Shakespeares Hamlet, contrast plays a major role. ... Hamlet himself experiences a temporary lightening of mood from listening to the gravediggers conversation. ... His contemplations on death reflect Act IV, Scene 3, when Hamlet gives voice to a humorous notion concerning " how a king may progress through the guts of a beggar " (IV,3,27-28). Hamlet expands on this idea with his thoughts on how even Alexander the Great or " Imperious Caesar " may descend to such base uses as stopping a beer barrel, or stopping " a hole to keep the wind away " (V,1,207) The entrance of Ophelias funeral procession marks the beginning of the second half, which balances the humor of the previous portion. ... Laertess words, understandably, contain references to Hell, and also hold no particular benevolence for Hamlet. The tension of the scene is further heightened by the confrontation which breaks out between Hamlet and Laertes.