Figurative Language

Figurative language is the use of words that go beyond just their ordinary concrete meaning. This type of language is very creative, imaginative and includes metaphors, similes, personification, hyperboles, idioms and more. The use of this language helps to emplify the authors work and make a more vivid picture of what he is trying to convey, what his meaning is. Hamlets excessive hyperboles show his insane behavior, double personality and oedipal complex: "My love [for Ophelia] is more than four thousands of men." Indeed, this is just silly but it shows how Hamlet thinks and how he acts based upon those thoughts. Beyond using figerative language to have a rich plot and complelling thriving play, Shakespeare uses this type of language to his advantage to help him describe and show his characters in different lights. He opens up his characters with figerative language and lets it show the meaning of each of them and the central meaning of the play itself!