By literary definition, an antihero is the "hero" of the play or novel, but he/she has negative attributes which separate him or her from the classic hero figure such as Superman. ... Hamlet shows another example of his cleverness, this time towards Claudius, when he says, "I see a cherub that sees them. ... Claudius states, "To an exploit now ripe in my device, Under the which he shall not choose but fall, And for his death no wind of blame shall breathe; But even his mother shall unchange the practice, And call it accident." ...

• Word Count: 764
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Revenge Tragedy is a dramatic form made popular on the English stage by Thomas Kyd, a contemporary of Shakespeare, whose Spanish Tragedy is an early example of this type. ... Other devices found in a Revenge Tragedy include hesitation by the hero, real or feigned madness, suicide, intrigue, and murders on stage (Girard 160). ... For example, Hamlet avenges his father's death; Laertes seeks revenge on Hamlet for killing his father and abusing his sister; and Claudius seeks revenge on Hamlet because he is aware that Hamlet knows who has killed his father. ... Laertes provides the most pe...

• Word Count: 1108
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

In that case, Claudius's later whispered plottings with Laertes, Ophelia, and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are further examples of "poison in the ear." ... Even the most cursory review of the dramatic movement and literary structure of the play, however, demolishes all such interpretations. ... The last scene's condemnation of revenge is made all the more profound by the ironic way in which vengeful characters fall victim to their own devices. ... One of Shakespeare's most characteristic dramatic devices is the multiplication of character types.[12] In Hamlet, he includes a nu...

• Word Count: 1931
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School

There are kings, pickpockets, drunkards, generals, hired killers, shepherds, and philosophers" .Shakespeare's poetry expresses the deepest levels of human nature in universal situations and is considered one of the greatest accomplishments in literary history. ... For Example, even after Hamlet has told her about Claudius's act of murder she still protects him; and when Laertes rushes into the king's apartment accusing him of murder, she tries to calm him down "calmly good Laertes" and later defends Claudius "but not by him" in reply to Laertes" accusations. ...

• Word Count: 2226
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School