Learn about Hamlet by William Shakespeare with literary devices, analysis, and examples from the play. Learn about metaphors, similes, and personification in Hamlet. Update: In MLA, in-text citations are called parenthetical references. They use the author's last name followed by the page number referenced in the work. The reference is placed in parentheses usually at the end of the sentence and before the period. Each source in the works cited list found at the end of the article corresponds to a text within the text: The reality is that the new king of Denmark, Claudius, poisoned the old king Hamlet. However, it seems that all the characters believe that the old king died of a snake bite. It presents the idea of reality and appearance in the play. Readers have noticed that Claudius' actions during the death of old King Hamlet are only forms of.