Language in Literature

Language is that which makes humans human. Communication is what allows humans to convey their needs, desires and feeling so much more effectively than other creatures. Different people use it differently and for different reasons, and it’s apparent when comparing characters like Hamlet, to those found in the epics. Hamlet uses language as a means to get out his emotions and to deceive his companions, while epic heroes, such as Beowulf, are more stoic and noble with their language.

                Hamlet is a character who isn’t really concerned with keeping an image of honor and mental and emotional strength, but is in fact looking for just the opposite. While Hamlet is really insane, it is important for him to look like an emotional wreck, and for much of the play that is what he uses language to do. For instance in his “to be or not to be” soliloquy, he gives Claudius the impression that he cannot even decide whether he should continue on with life. There is another example later with Ophelia, where he portrays his mental instability by verbally assaulting her. This Hamlet isn’t really the real Hamlet, but instead is Hamlet using language as a means to achieve his goal of revenge. This isn’t something you would find epic heroes partaking in with language.

                Heroes such as Beowulf aren’t those you would find using language to persuade people to do their bidding. But instead would use language to sway people using their positive assets, like nobility and accounts of previous deeds. Such as when Beowulf comes to ask permission from the Danes to kill Grendel, he tells of his reputation and hopes that is enough, but unlike Hamlet they don’t use it as a tool of manipulation. Also epic heroes aren’t those you would expect to be expressing their emotions to others, but instead keep them to themselves; and so that is what they do, they really don’t use it language as a tool of self-expression.

                While we all use language, we don’t all use it in the same way. Some people, like Hamlet, use language as a means of manipulation and deception; and others, such as epic heroes, use language to tell of their feats and honor, and use that as means of persuasion. Language is something that’s nature reflects the nature of the speaker. So while everyone may speak the same, no person is the same, so no person will use language the same. People have certain things such as their self-image, mindset and aspirations that affect the way they use language and the nature of the usage. Hamlet and Beowulf are very different characters in very different situations, and therefore use language in almost polar natures.