Effective Use of Humor in HamletThe use of humor in a tragic story helps the reader break away from the monotony of a depressing story. “If a story were completely filled with depressing and tragic events, readers' interest would be permanently lost” (Bloom 91). Hamlet by William Shakespeare is based on the tragedy of the murder of the King of Denmark, whose son must avenge his murderer. This is why it is classified as a tragedy and if humor was not present in the play it would be very depressing. Shakespeare uses Hamlet ironically; the main character to add the comic part of the play even though he is the one the tragedy affects the most. This humor is evident throughout the play of Hamlet. When Hamlet is upset by someone like Claudius or Polonius, he mocks them in their presence without either of them really realizing it too quickly. The first of Hamlet's routines is standing with his uncle, Claudius in Act I, scene ii. Claudius comments on Hamlet's grief and Hamlet responds with a clever play on words. Claudius. How come the clouds still hang over you?Hamlet. This is not the case, my lord. I'm in the sun too much. (Shakespeare I.ii. ll. 66-67) When Hamlet refers to the sun, he is actually saying that he feels "too much of a son" to Caudius, when he is really supposed to be his nephew. The whole complication between Hamlet and Claudius is that Hamlet's father died, and then Hamlet's uncle Claudius married his mother. This leaves Hamlet with a strange family tree as his uncle doubles as his father-in-law. The line preceding those seen above also indicates to the reader the awkwardness of the situation.Hamlet. A little more than parents and less than nice people! (Shakespeare I.ii. ll. 6...... middle of paper ......r the reader. The comedy helps break up the story a bit and gives The reader a mental break from some of the complications of the play While the reader is given a mental break from the gravity of the play, he is also fed some of Hamlet's inner thoughts about the people he directly interacts with. the other person exactly how they feel about them and, using humor, convey this in most cases Works cited and consulted: Bloom, Harold Modern Critical Interpretations Of Hamlet New York, NY: Chelsea. House Publishers, 1986. Brodwin, Leonora. Notes from Monarch by Brodwin Scott-Hopkins, Benjamin.".. 1989.