Show an understanding of the dramatic devices used by Shakespeare to substantiate Hamlets view that 'Denmark's a prison'.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Show an understanding of the dramatic devices used by Shakespeare to substantiate Hamlets view that 'Denmark's a prison'.

Shakespeare uses a number of dramatic devices in order to portray the isolation and entrapment that Hamlet feels, in a clear understandable manner, thereby allowing the audience to clearly identify and sympathise with his feelings. He is successfully able to establish this through a number of dramatic devices, such as the effective use of soliloquies, the detailed settings in the play, the behaviour of the other characters, the language used throughout the play and finally the situations in which Hamlet finds himself.

" Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." (Act 1 scene 4)

As soon as the play begins immediately there is an atmosphere of intrigue; the line above clearly indicates and suggests to the audience that there is going to be turmoil and trouble surrounding the play and this statement clearly fits in with the idea that "Denmark is a prison". The first scene is full of short, quick questions and statements, which adds to this overall atmosphere of the play.

"Who is there?"

"Stand ho! Who is there?" (Act 1 scene 1)