Language: Hamlet vs. Epic Heroes Essay

Hamlet is well-known for his long soliloquies and strong use of language. Unlike many other epic heroes, Hamlets use of language serves other vital purposes. Three purposes that Hamlets language shows his though process, displays his feelings, and provides insight on what will happen next in the plot. With other epics, such as Beowulf, the characters language does not have as much of an impact and seems more like straight-forward dialogue.

One of the thing that differentiates Hamlet's language from that of other epic heroes is that he shows his thought process in his language. A short example would be "To be, or not to be..." This short excerpt from his soliloquy shows what he was thinking at the time. In this case, he was debating whether he should continue to live or not. In Beowulf, the reader doesn't see much of his thought process develop throughout the course of the epic poem. This is neither perceived through Beowulf's own language or that of others in the epic poem.

Furthermore, another thing that separates Hamlet's use of language from other epic heroes is that he openly displays what he feels. Throughout the course of the play, the reader isn't left guessing what Hamlet is feeling. An example of this would be when he says, "A little more than kin, and less than kind!" In one line he is able to state how he feels towards Claudius and explain their relationship. Much like the reader doesn't pick up on what Beowulf thought process, we don't pick up on what Beowulf is thinking. The reader is only able to pick up what kind of character is through his actions and how others react to him, not through his language.

Also, through Hamlet's speeches and language he is able to show insight on what is happening and what will happen in the play. Through him we learn his plan for revenge and what happened in the past with Fortinbras and such. When Hamlet says, " That ever was I born to set it right!" The reader then knows that he plans to take on revenge. He is letting us know what is going to take place in the rest of the play. With Beowulf, he doesn't do much of this. His actions, not language, play a more important role.

In conclusion, Hamlet's use of language greatly differentiates him from other epic heroes such as Beowulf. Three main reasons why his language differentiates him is that it shows his thought process, what he is feeling, and what is going on or will happen later on in the plot. Beowulf makes a stronger impact through his actions and not his language.