William Shakespeare’s Hamlet is a play full of madness, mystery, and death. Act I Scene II takes place in a hall in the palace where the king and queen’s recent marriage is being celebrated. At this time, it has not been revealed to Hamlet that Claudius killed the previous king. Queen Gertrude asks her son, Hamlet, why he is still wearing black and acting like he is still in mourning on such a “joyous” day. Hamlet’s reply not only reflects his feelings but also the atmosphere of the play and foreshadows important discoveries. Shakespeare uses diction to emphasize the atmosphere of the play and foreshadow future events. Hamlet says, “Tis not alone my inky cloak, good mother, nor customary suits of solemn black.” Shakespeare uses words such
