William Shakespeares Powerful Use of Language Essay

We have all certainly heard the expression â€Å"the pen is mightier than the sword† and as Hamlet states when he realizes the power of words: â€Å"I will speak daggers to her, but use none† (Hamlet 3.2: 366). William Shakespeare is one of the most important writers in history and arguably the most notable, particularly with his use of language. I believe that Shakespeare consistently uses the knowledge that language is power to his advantage throughout his plays. From themes of power, control, disguise, deception, and manipulation, there remains the underlying theme that ties all of these together: the power of language. The beauty of Shakespeare’s work and what makes it resonate even today is his use of discretion and†¦show more content†¦The power of language holds great significance not only in Shakespearean study but of our daily lives as well. Every nuance Shakespeare creates leaves a clue to a greater truth or understanding of our humanity. Explo ring the works of Shakespeare with this in mind allows for audiences to gain more appreciation and awareness of the depth of language and communication through his dialogue and characters as Shakespeare: â€Å"asks us to adorn the actor with our thoughts and ‘carry them here and there, jumping o’er the times’† (Bevington xiii). King Henry in Henry V is a great example of how language can mask and band together his constituents as well as tug at the admiration of the audience. In his band of brothers speech Henry exclaims â€Å"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers/For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother/Be he ne’er so vile† (Henry V 4.3: 60-62). Effectively, Henry conveys the notion that on the battlefield each man stands alongside their King without division, while simultaneously saying they can only elevate themselves to his level through death and sacrifice to his cause. It proves an effective speech rallying his soldiers and the audience gains a sense of admiration for the Tudor king. The convection of his words swirls with deception as Henry is knowingly and willingly creating a sense of honor in death for a cause that serves none other than his own purposes. Yet it remainsShow MoreRelatedSpenser and Shakespeare: Contrasting Approaches to Sonnets1100 Words   |  5 PagesEdmund Spenser and William Shakespeare. Thus, by observing Spenser’s Sonnet LXXV and Shakespeare’s Sonnet 55, it can be deduced that both poets have adopted the structure of sonnets to arouse emotions and imagination, but have taken different perspectives in doing so. Therefore, by means of comparing and contrasting, both of their poems may seem alike in their structure and general content, yet they are more diverse in relation to deeper aspects such as theme, form and language. 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