Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' Analysis of 'Comedy' Theme'
18th-century critic Dr Johnson praised the play for its "variety" and for the way its scenes
move seamlessly from "merriment" to "solemn pity".
More contemporary critics, such as Anne Barton (an editor of the play), have commented on
how Hamlet "seems to be the only one of Shakespeare’s tragic protagonists who possesses
and demonstrates a sense of humour".
Hamlet’s sardonic puns appear throughout the play, such as his first line: "A little more than
kin and less than kind", which shows his bitterness towards his stepfather. This is also seen
when he says "Too much i’ the sun" — ‘sun’ here is a pun on ‘son’, as he resents being
Claudius’s new ‘son’.
Hamlet uses black humour when toying with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. When they ask
where Polonius’s body is, he replies that Polonius is at "supper... Not where he eats but
where he is eaten" — a morbid joke with double meaning and playfulness even in solemnity.
Osric functions as a comic character who provides some relief before the heavy drama of
the denouement. He is a self-important courtier, generally corrupt, who is sent by Claudius to
invite Hamlet to a fencing match. He is a minor character who speaks only in two scenes but
is mocked by Hamlet, who "conveys a younger Polonius", according to Draudt. Hamlet
shows his people-pleasing nature by agreeing that it is hot, even though he believed it was
cold, then changes his mind to flatter Osric:
Osric: "Thank your lordship, it is very hot."
Hamlet: "It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed."
Hamlet remarks to Horatio about Osric: “Dost know this water-fly?”, mocking Osric’s
foolishness.
18th-century critic Dr Johnson praised the play for its "variety" and for the way its scenes
move seamlessly from "merriment" to "solemn pity".
More contemporary critics, such as Anne Barton (an editor of the play), have commented on
how Hamlet "seems to be the only one of Shakespeare’s tragic protagonists who possesses
and demonstrates a sense of humour".
Hamlet’s sardonic puns appear throughout the play, such as his first line: "A little more than
kin and less than kind", which shows his bitterness towards his stepfather. This is also seen
when he says "Too much i’ the sun" — ‘sun’ here is a pun on ‘son’, as he resents being
Claudius’s new ‘son’.
Hamlet uses black humour when toying with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. When they ask
where Polonius’s body is, he replies that Polonius is at "supper... Not where he eats but
where he is eaten" — a morbid joke with double meaning and playfulness even in solemnity.
Osric functions as a comic character who provides some relief before the heavy drama of
the denouement. He is a self-important courtier, generally corrupt, who is sent by Claudius to
invite Hamlet to a fencing match. He is a minor character who speaks only in two scenes but
is mocked by Hamlet, who "conveys a younger Polonius", according to Draudt. Hamlet
shows his people-pleasing nature by agreeing that it is hot, even though he believed it was
cold, then changes his mind to flatter Osric:
Osric: "Thank your lordship, it is very hot."
Hamlet: "It is indifferent cold, my lord, indeed."
Hamlet remarks to Horatio about Osric: “Dost know this water-fly?”, mocking Osric’s
foolishness.
