The utilization of brief

comedic scenes in
shakespearean tragedies
works to juxtapose the
established theme of the
play causing misfortune
with a lighthearted outlook
on the same topic. This
inevitably forces the
audience to view one subject
matter in two opposing
lights.
“Imperious Caesar, dead and turned to
clay, Might stop a hole to keep the
wind away. Oh, that that earth, that
kept the world in awe, Should patch a
wall t’ expel the winter’s
flaw!”(5.1.196-199)

➢ Allusion to Julius Caesar

➢ Exclamatory sentence
➢ Rhyme pattern
➢ Rhetorical question
➢ Imagery
 “What is he that builds stronger than
either the mason, the shipwright, or
the carpenter?” (5.1.38-39)
“And when you are asked this question
next, say “A grave-maker.” The houses
that he makes last till doomsday.”
(5.1.53-55)

➢ Gives a joke/ riddle to explain morbid idea

“But age with his stealing steps
Hath clawed me in his clutch,
And hath shipped me into the land
As if I had never been such.”
(throws up a skull)
(5.1.66-69)

➢ Personification
➢ Lighthearted tone
➢ Satirizes aristocracy
GRAVEDIGGER
“Why, because he
was mad. He shall recover
his wits there, or, if he do
not, it’s no great matter
there.”
HAMLET
“Why?”
GRAVEDIGGER
“‘Twill not be seen in
him there. There the men
are as mad as he.”

(5.1.137-141)
By including comedic moments in
his highly tragic plays,
Shakespeare works to juxtapose
the initial themes of the story with
a comedic outlook in order to shed
light on one detrimental subject in
two opposing ways.
Works Cited

Shakespeare, William, and John C.. Crowther. No Fear

Shakespeare: Hamlet. SparkNotes, 2003.

Watts, and Robert A.