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Definition of Tone
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical... read full definition
Tone
Explanation and Analysis:
At the beginning of Hamlet, the tone is mournful and ominous. The characters’ interests and motivations are clouded by the recent death of the previous king. Violence is present from the play’s first scene onward, but Hamlet’s discovery of his father’s murder and subsequent focus on revenge makes the tone of the play one of obsessiveness. Hamlet’s mental state as the protagonist determines the play’s tone throughout, and during the play’s first half, Hamlet is still well-reasoned and future-oriented. His desire for justice moves the play forward and keeps the possibility of retribution in the minds of the audience.
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