The Power of Exaggeration: Hyperbole in Shakespeare's Hamlet and Tang Xianzu's The Purple Hairpin

This study examines the use of hyperbole in Hamlet and The Purple Hairpin, two plays by William Shakespeare and Tang Xianzu, respectively. Although written in different cultural and historical contexts, both plays employ exaggerated language to intensify emotions, shape character development, and reinforce dramatic themes. Shakespeare’s Hamlet uses hyperbole to express existential despair, amplify grief, and underscore the magnitude of revenge. At the same time, Tang Xianzu’s The Purple Hairpin employs poetic overstatement to convey romantic devotion, fate, and honour. Findings reveal that while Shakespeare’s hyperbole often carries a tragic-ironic tone, reflecting individual angst and moral ambiguity, Tang’s hyperbole is more idealised, aligning with the Ming literary aesthetic of qing (deep feeling) as a force transcending societal constraints. Despite these contrasts, both plays demonstrate the universal power of hyperbole in dramatising intense emotions and heightening theatrical impact. This comparative study highlights how exaggerated language, whether through poetic imagery or grand rhetorical flourishes, serves as a vehicle for exploring human emotions across different dramatic traditions.