Language

Hamlet and Beowulf are two very different pieces of literature. Epics such as Beowulf consist of violence and battles among its characters. Hamlet contains more emotional conflicts compared to the many physical ones in Beowulf. While language plays a huge role Hamlet, it is less significant in epics such as Beowulf. Hamlet’s use of language invites the audience into his thoughts. He delivers several soliloquies throughout the play which let the audience know his feelings that the other characters are oblivious to. In epics, language is mainly used in dialogue between characters. The language used in Hamlet is much more in depth and provides more information.

Hamlet uses language to express his feelings. This is one example of how his use of language differs with that of epic heroes. Hamlet gives the audience a clear view into his emotions. We receive an in depth perspective while in epics we only see what’s on the outside. Epics often focus on external conflicts which restrict the use of language to that external domain. Starting with “To be or not to be”, Hamlet doesn’t withhold any information. The words in the soliloquy express his deepest emotions.

Language, in Hamlet the play, tends to foreshadow events that may occur later. Hamlet speaks to the ghost and promises to take revenge on Claudius. His use of language provides the audience with knowledge that no one else in the play knows. Epic heroes are often so involved with the present, all language regarding future actions are withheld. This is just another display of how the language in Hamlet and epics such as Beowulf differentiate.

It is impossible to ignore the many differences in the use of language between these two pieces of literature. Language used in Hamlet provides an in-depth perspective on his thoughts and emotions. Epics use language in a more shallow way. The language expressed in epics does not give the audience any extra information as It does in Hamlet. The differences shared by Hamlet and an epic show how language can be used in many different ways.