This is necessary after the tension of Ophelia's death and the tone of most of the play. ... Everything that Hamlet asks, the "gravedigger" takes literally. Hamlet asks, "Whose / grave's this, sirrah" (5.1.117-118)? ... It isn't until around 5.1.217 that marks the beginning of balancing the humor of the previous actions with the "Gravediggers," with the more dim tone the play had before the "gravediggers." ... Hamlet and Horatio continue to watch the ceremony which continues until Hamlet realizes that it is Ophelia's ceremony (5.1.243). the tension of the scene is further h...

• Word Count: 1229
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

This is a device that Shakespeare used in Hamlet and A Midsummer Night's Dream (Ridgeway). ... It's interesting that most of the dialogue directions are about Birdboot, who is always shifting his tone to keep up appearances: "conspiratorially," "suspiciously," "instantly outraged," "urbanely....

• Word Count: 1626
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School