Setting in Hamlet and Prufrock

Setting is used ultimately to set the mood of the story. In Hamlet, a dark and foggy night set inside a medieval castle adds a sense of mystery and unease. The fog parallels to Hamlet's obscure vision of several characters including Claudius and Ophelia.  The desolate setting in Prufrock resembles his internal feelings towards life and himself: "The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes,The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes." (Lines 14-15). Fog is used once again but this time it's personified to represent a mysterious black cat. This cat also represents Prufrock's feelings towards society because the cat at one point lingers and decides whether or not to join society or to remain separate. The cat finally chooses to remain on the outside by curling up alone: "Curled once about the house, and fell asleep." (22). The setting in both Hamlet and Prufrock can either resemble what each character feels on the inside or helps indicate the mood of the story or poem before the characters are even introduced.