OCR English Literature - Literary Devices and Connotations

Prose

Typically used comically, by those who are lower-class (the grave-digger), mad (Hamlet and Ophelia), or deceitful (Claudius and Polonius)

Verse

Typically used seriously, by those who are upper-class (Claudius)

Soliloquy

A genuine vocal admission - can be treated as the character’s view of the truth. Used to isolate the speaking character and allow the audience to sympathise with them (Hamlet and Claudius in Act 3 Scene 3)

Monologue

A performance - can sometimes be truthful, but it depends on the on-stage audience. If it is a monologue to a loyal friend (Hamlet to Horatio), it can typically be considered to be truthful. If it is to a group of ‘lower’ people (Claudius to the Court), it may not be truthful.

Dramatic Irony

Creates a sense of unease and foreboding - the revelation of information is an anticipated catharsis for the audience. Also links to the continuous theme of surveillance - the audience feels out of place with this information.

Foreshadowing

Reinforces the atmosphere of uncertainty and deception.

Structure of the Play

Does the extract build anticipation or create dramatic irony? How does this affect the audience’s understanding of the plot and characters?

Form

Hamlet is a tragedy play - tragedy conventions are prevalent throughout the play.

‘A Tragic Hero’ Convention

Hamlet is a noble character with a hamartia (his indecision and overthinking) that leads to his downfall.

Supernatural Convention

The ghost of Old Hamlet adds complexity to the play, as it is another layer of consideration that influences Hamlet’s hamartia.

External and Internal Conflicts Convention

Hamlet experiences many external conflicts (killing Polonius, the duel), but his internal conflicts expressed through his soliloquys are often reflective of contemporaneous doubts and anxieties.

Fatal Resolution Convention

The play ends with all the nobility and some of the court of Elsinore dead, creating a tragic end.

Exposition (Act 1)

Thе charactеrs, sеtting and basic conflict of thе play arе introducеd.

Rising Action

Encountеrs a sеriеs of challеngеs and complications that build tеnsion. Hamlet’s complication is the truthfulness of the Ghost, which causes him to present the microcosmic play.

Climax

Thе turning point of thе play, thе momеnt оf grеаtеst tеnsion and thе point at which thе protagonist makеs a crucial dеcision. Hamlet’s decision to not kill Claudius in Act 3 Scene 3 is the main turning point.

Falling Action

Thе consеquеncеs of thе protagonist's decision at thе climax unfold - including Polonius’ and Ophelia’s deaths.

Denoument

Thе rеsolution of thе play, whеrе thе cеntral conflict is rеsolvеd and thе charactеrs' fatеs arе rеvеаlеd. Unfortunately for Hamlet, the fate is death.

Dialogue

Does one character speak more or over another? How does this present their relationship and characteristics?