Puns in Hamlet A major theme in Shakespeare's Hamlet is the strength and flexibility of language. They are used to communicate ideas, but they can also be used to distort or hide the truth and manipulate it. Throughout the play the characters comment on the properties of language and exploit them to their advantage. Claudio, the cunning politician, is the clearest example of a man who manipulates words to increase his power, possessing a professional knowledge of the language. Using it he can oppress people and assert his authority, as we see him do when he gives a refined speech to the council. He cleverly justifies the ill-advised situation of his marriage to Gertrude, reminding them that their "best wisdom" has "freely accompanied this affair from the beginning." This way he can ignore this delicate issue, not expect interludes and move on to other matters. It is interesting to note the changes and flexibility of his language. Addressing the crowd he initially adopts a personal tone on the issue of the past king's death, with creative oxymorons such as "wiser sorrow" and "defeated joy", knowing he is speaking about an issue dear to them all. He pays his respect, in public, to the delicate subject that should force the entire kingdom to "huddle on a brow of pain." However, once he has drawn the crowd to him, sympathized with them, and become "one" of their mourners, he quickly moves on to other matters in a much more formal tone. His intelligent use of language is shown once again, in the interrogation of Polonius' son. Laertes reveals that his "thoughts and desires turn once again to France" and asks the kings to leave. Claudio grants him permission, but... middle of paper... y, intentionally diverting the conversation. Words are described throughout the work as flexible and precious things. Seeing the ghost Marcellus urges Horace to speak to him, as he is a "scholar". The strongest aspect of Hamlet's character is his ability to handle words effectively, but they can also be dangerous and slippery things. Despite possessing a keen grasp of the language, Hamlet denounces this, proclaiming, "That I, son of a dear murdered father. Driven to my vengeance by heaven and hell, must like a whore fill my heart with words." as useless, and recognizes that words can never be a sufficient substitute for actions, but only a temporary relief for Hamlet in the "rotten" state of Denmark.