Symbols and Themes

Themes are the main messages in literature works, which are carried throughout the writing.  An example in Hamlet is the air of lies and deceit that run through the castle.  Hamlet, is trying to plot his revenge for his father, while trying not to get caught, and King Claudius is trying to cover his tracks.  

Symbols are an integral to many literary works.  Symbols are either objects, places, or people that represent an ideal.  Symbols are used to help the reader possess a deeper understanding of the text by bringing the context of the entire work together.  In The Second Coming, Yeat's choice of using the word "revelation," (9) alludes the reader to the new testament Book of Revelations. This connection represents that the world is coming to an end and chaos will ensue.  The "shape with lion body and head of a man," (14) that emerges is supposed to represent Christ.  However, holy and sacred image correlated with Christ is shattered with the monstrous figure that appears before the narrator.  The hideous creature adds to the image of the doomed fate of the world.