Dramatic Irony In Shakespeare's Hamlet

Shakespeare is a well-known writer, he wrote plays and soliloquys between the years of 1590-1613. Since the 20th century many of his most famous tragedies have been produced by the film industry to attempt to present classical texts and plays in a way that appeals to younger audiences as well as maintain its relevancy. Dramatic irony is demonstrated in many of his works to appeal to younger audiences, and throughout the play Hamlet, there is a relationship between the drama and the audience. The drama of dishonesty in this play leads to tragic occurrences, and this is seen in the first ghost encounter, the death of Polonius and the vengeance upon Laertes for his father.
In the beginning of Act I, the ghost encounter dictates who the play is addressed to, either an older or younger audience. The scene of the ghost encounter is something that could address a younger audience in the sense that it touches the idea of dishonesty leading to anger. “But know, thou noble youth, the serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown,” (Hamlet: Act 1 Scene 5: Line 45-47). The ghost of Hamlets father explained to him that his brother has murdered him, and that Claudius’ story was a lie to cover himself up, thus demonstrating the dishonesty in the play portrayed by the King himself. This appeals to a younger audience because of its cultural values: that if anyone were to attack a family …show more content…
This is the central cause of the tragic occurrence in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. “As mediation or thoughts of love may sweep to my revenge,”