Soliloquies of Hamlet Essay Example

as a valuable device for dramatists to expose the secret thoughts and feelings of a character, while keeping them hidden from other characters in the play. Through soliloquies, the dramatist can portray the development of a character and their mental progression or deterioration over time. Additionally, soliloquies provide insight into other characters through the speaker's opinions of them. They also contribute to the development of the plot by revealing events that have occurred offstage.

Critics argue that using soliloquies in drama is artificial and fake. However, since drama is only an imitation of life and not actual life itself, these dramatic devices should be appreciated for their merits if they contribute to the interest and suspense of the playRegardless of our acceptance of the dramatic value, Shakespeare's skill in utilizing soliloquies in his plays, particularly tragedies, must be acknowledged. Removing these soliloquies from his tragic plays would diminish their impact. In Hamlet specifically, all the soliloquies serve to reveal and explore Hamlet's inner thoughts and emotions. They emphasize the significance of soliloquies in the play and delve into existential questions such as "To be or not to be," which discusses the pros and cons of human existence, including contemplating suicide. Additionally, they evaluate whether Hamlet should kill himself or the King and explain his indecision despite evidence of his courage. The soliloquies are pivotal elements embraced by Elizabethan audiences, akin to grand opera arias in later times. Characters inclined toward contemplation engage in more soliloquies compared to other tragedies, allowing Hamlet to sincerely confront his innermost thoughts with unwavering sincerity.

Although most soliloquies in the play are delivered by the protagonist, there are a few

spoken by other characters. Hamlet has a total of seven soliloquies throughout the play. The first one, which takes place in Act 1, Scene 2, is considered to be the most important as it provides insight into Hamlet's character. It occurs after his father's death when the King and Queen encourage him to move on from his deep sadness. However, despite more than two months passing, Hamlet continues to mourn and expresses his grief in this soliloquy.

In this soliloquy, Hamlet criticizes his mother for remarrying so soon after his father's death and to a man whom he believes is inferior. This leads him to believe that all women are inherently weak like his mother who rushed into marriage. The memory of her quick remarriage consumes his thoughts in this soliloquy where he reveals the grief that has been eating away at him.

Hamlet confesses that he desires suicide but religion prevents him from taking such an action and escaping his grief. He becomes disillusioned with the world and sees it as tiresome, dull, and unprofitable. To him, it resembles an untended garden where only unpleasant things flourish. He no longer wishes to live in such a world and yearns for his physical body to dissolve like morning dew.

If only God had not forbidden self-killing, Hamlet laments that he could have freed himself from his constant grief and the corrupt world. This soliloquy reveals Hamlet's inclination towards universalism as he uses a single incident to make broader philosophical observations. It demonstrates his tendency to contemplate ideas without taking action, which is responsible for his delay in carrying out the Ghost's order for revenge. Furthermore, this

generalization indicates that Hamlet has lost faith in the inherent goodness of human nature and sheds light on the character of his deceased father, who was both a loving husband and an exceptional King. His strong attachment to his deceased father is also evident here. Additionally, this generalization casts a negative light on Claudia and Gertrude, their illicit relationship, and their incestuous marriage. Hamlet's references to mythological characters showcase his extensive knowledge of classical literature. Thus, even in this first soliloquy, we can see a clear depiction of Hamlet's character that helps explain his eventual tragedy. This soliloquy highlights his generalizations, weariness with the world, apathy, and disgust with life - all of which recur throughout his speeches. The second soliloquy (Act 1, Scene 5 Lines 92-112), known as the Touchstone soliloquy takes place after Hamlet encounters the GhostThe text describes the profound shock experienced by Hamlet and how it influences his actions. The Ghost reveals shocking information to him and commands him to avenge his father's death. Hamlet is determined to only focus on the Ghost's command, criticizing others for their inconsistency. He resolves to remember only the Ghost's words as excessive contemplation hinders him from taking direct action. This soliloquy serves as the first instance of revenge in the play. Hamlet accuses himself for delaying in fulfilling the Ghost's command, harshly condemning himself for neglecting his duty. After watching emotional performances by actors depicting Piano's death, Hamlet wonders how they would have portrayed his father's murder by a cunning villain. He sees himself as a coward and vows to act instead of using mere words like a hypocrite.He derives his anger from thoughts

of his uncle as "a bloody, bawdy villain remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!" in order to promptly carry out his revenge. Consequently, at the end of the soliloquy, his plan is to provoke the King's conscience through "catch the conscious of the King". The fourth soliloquy (Act 3, Scenes, Lines 56 ;89) is his most famous and philosophical soliloquy of all. It begins with "To be or not to be that is the question,". In this passage, Hamlet once again contemplates suicide. Despite wanting to escape life's hardships through suicide, he is held back by fear of what lies beyond death. This soliloquy occurs when Hamlet is preparing to confront his mother fueled by anger and disgust towards her. He considers committing a violent act against her in order to be as cruel as possible. However, he also feels compelled to heed the Ghost's warnings and avoid becoming like Nero. While he resolves to speak harshly to his mother, he does not intend physical harm upon her. This soliloquy showcases Hamlet's complex nature, reverence for his father's Ghost and conflicting emotions towards his mother. In the following soliloquy ,Hamlet encounters Claudius while the King prays.Despite longing for an opportunity to kill him,Hamtet hesitates.He questions whether it would be right in this moment considering Claudius murderedhis father without giving him a chance repentance .In his soliloquy, Hamlet contemplates whether Claudius is now being punished by God for his sins. As a result, Hamlet believes that he should kill Claudius, but not while he is engaged in virtuous actions like praying since that would send him to heaven. Instead, Hamlet determines that it should be when Claudius

is involved in evil deeds such as being drunk, enraged, or indulging in incestuous pleasure. Bradley considers this reasoning to be an unconscious excuse for Hamlet's delay; however, it is unconvincing. This soliloquy serves to highlight Hamlet's tendency to procrastinate and forms the climax of the play.

Later on in Act 4, Scene 4 (Lines 32-66), Hamlet is compelled towards his final soliloquy after learning about young Fortinbras' willingness to risk everything for honor. This reignites Hamlet's desire for revenge and leads him to question why he has not taken action despite having both the means and motivation to do so. He wonders if this hesitation stems from forgetfulness or an excessively cautious mindset. Ultimately, he reflects on humanity's purpose as created by God. Considering desires for sleep and nourishment as nothing more than animalistic instincts, he acknowledges that humans were not granted these abilities nor the reason to deny them.

Although he declares his intention to think violent thoughts, we observe his lack of action despite making this decision. Consequently, his internal monologue underscores his indecisiveness and inclination towards delay.The soliloquy expresses Hamlet's inclination to generalize and conveys universal truths. However, his inherent flaw prevents him from taking immediate action despite feeling guilty and being urged by his conscience to seek revenge. This tendency to delay, which represents his tragic flaw in Shakespeare's play Hamlet, has been widely debated since its first performance. Some scholars suggest that it relates to Freud's Oedipal Complex theory, focusing on Hamlet's love for his mother. Others argue that he simply cannot find the right moment to avenge his father's murder. The Oedipal Complex theory seems more plausible due to the

numerous opportunities Hamlet has had to kill Claudius but always finds a reason not to. If this theory is proven false, the cause of his procrastination remains mysterious.

Hamlet hesitates in killing Claudius because of an unconscious need to distance himself from his mother. Despite his duty to avenge his father's murder, he is strongly drawn towards her and unable take direct action. He continuously creates excuses for postponing the act: initially investigating Claudia's guilt as a means of buying time and then using Claudia praying as a pretext for delaying duty. When he mistakenly believes that Claudia is behind the curtains while alone with Gertrude, he kills the man there instead.
However, it is revealed that Polonium, not Claudia, is the one behind the curtain. Hamlet impulsively stabs Polonium because he is in the presence of his true desire, his mother. This moment is unique in the play as it shows Hamlet's courage to attempt to murder Claudia and provides an opportunity to confront Gertrude. Throughout the rest of the play, Hamlet finds himself either alone or surrounded by people whom he must hide his true intentions from. He lacks the inner strength to kill Claudia or make Gertrude available to him. His anger towards his mother actually reinforces his love for her, even though it may seem contradictory. He expresses his frustration by shouting at her, knowing they can never be together. Additionally, Hamlet is consumed by jealousy over Gertrude's relationship with Claudia. While he accepted his mother's marriage to his father, he resents that Claudia was not a suitable match for Gertrude like he believes himself to be. Consequently, Hamlet suppresses his true feelings

about Gertrude and pushes himself almost to madness. Though he tries to substitute Aphelia for his mother, he never truly loves her. His outbursts towards Aphelia do not hold the same significance as those directed at Gertrude. While Gertrude constantly hears comments about Claudia, incestuous relationships, and her hasty remarriage; Aphelia receives criticism for personal flaws but is never accused of being involved with other men or lacking love for Hamlet.

Despite his efforts, it is clear that Hamlet's heart belongs to Gertrude and not Ophelia. He possesses many of Gertrude's characteristics and desires her deeply. His pursuit of Ophelia is merely a result of knowing that he cannot have a relationship with Gertrude.

Even though Hamlet may pursue Ophelia and display anger towards his mother, his true love lies with Gertrude. Though he may never admit it, there is ample evidence supporting this love. However, societal norms prohibit incestuous desires, making it unacceptable for Hamlet to openly express his feelings for his mother. Consequently, Hamlet creates a strong barrier between himself and Gertrude by hesitating to remove Claudius from the picture, preventing him from releasing his genuine emotions.

With Claudius as an obstacle, Hamlet can hide his feelings for Gertrude by pretending to be affectionate towards Ophelia. Nevertheless, as time passes and his procrastination in seeking revenge grows stronger, he defies orders. Only after the death of his mother removes this barrier does Hamlet finally fulfill his duty to his father.

In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the protagonist Hamlet is faced with the responsibility of avenging his father's death. However, instead of acting promptly, Hamlet procrastinates and doubts start to cloud his mind. Despite having a

strong sense of justice, Hamlet's indecision is seen as a source of evil in the play. This ultimately leads to tragic consequences for not only him but also for his mother, who was his reason for living. The play highlights that being indecisive not only affects the individual but also those around them. This theme resonates in today's world where prompt decision-making is crucial during times of crisis. When visited by his father's ghost, Hamlet learns that Claudius is responsible for the murder. Initially determined to seek revenge, doubts begin to surface after the spirit departs and Hamlet questions whether he is suited for this task ("The time is out of joint.Oh cursed spite/ That I was ever born to set it right" - Act 1 Scene 5 lines 215-216).This marks the first instance of Hamlet's indecision. Another moment of indecision occurs after the play. To gather more evidence against Claudius, Hamlet asks the actors to perform a specific play where a king is murdered by his brother. The text does not provide further information beyond this point. The soliloquies in Hamlet are significant as they allow characters to directly address and express their true thoughts and emotions to the audience. These soliloquies offer insight into the characters' innermost thoughts without deceit or falsehood. Hamlet's soliloquies, specifically, help him discover himself and shape his character throughout the play. His initial soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 2 reveals deep depression and a desire to not live due to his father's death and his mother's hasty remarriage to Claudius. The repetition of 'too' emphasizes Hamlet's intense feelings and introduces the audience to his troubled psychological state at

the beginning of the play. Hamlet finds suicide alluring, questioning God's prohibition against it in Act 1-2-131/132. At this point, some may perceive Hamlet as feeble. In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, there is a complex predicament created by repeated names for fathers and sons that is not easily resolvedDespite having a different name, Laertes is still under the control of his father. This naming pattern also applies to Shakespeare's play Hamlet, which was written as a distinction from Thomas Kid's play Our-Hamlet. The Prince of Denmark, Hamlet, shares his name with his late father, blurring the line between them. As he follows in his father's footsteps, Hamlet must establish his own identity apart from his father's legacy. According to Abraham France, someone's definition consists of two elements: "the general and the difference..." (CTD. In Calendared 10). While all sons are biologically related to their fathers like Hamlet is, he shares a closer connection due to sharing the same name. Moreover, when the ghost of his father demands revenge for his murder, Hamlet inherits the duty of filial obligation. By vowing to avenge his father's death, he commits to merging not only in name but also in actions with him (Calendared 10).

According to Calendared (10), when Hamlet adopts his father's cause, he is essentially taking on his father's persona. This involves embracing his father's enemy as his own and adopting his desires, objectives, and suffering. Prior to encountering the ghost, Hamlet is in the process of establishing himself as an individual rather than merely being seen as his father's son. Despite having been away at school, he strives to carve out a unique path in life.

However, when his father's apparition urges him to seek revenge against Claudius, Hamlet grapples with whether to fully embrace the role of the "son" and merge with his father or assert his own identity as a separate individual.

This dilemma becomes the source of Hamlet's confusion and indecisiveness throughout the play. Initially, in response to the call for revenge on behalf of his father, Hamlet promptly declares that he will hasten towards it saying "Haste me to Knott...May sweep to my revenge" (1.5.29-31). However, as he comprehends the magnitude of this promise, he becomes overwhelmed by inaction. The thought of becoming a murderer weighs heavily upon him because he believes that one's actions define their character; if he were to kill Claudius, then he would be just as guilty as him. Consequently, Hamlet cannot bring himself to carry out revenge. In addition to demanding vengeance from him, the ghost also advises Hamlet not to let this act taint his mind (1..84-85).

The impossibility of Hamlet executing the request without going mad is known by the ghost, if a person's actions define them. Both inaction and action are equally difficult for him. "To remain true to himself Hamlet must of necessity betray his father. To adopt his father's cause must betray himself" (Calendared 21). Shakespeare draws a parallel between Hamlet and Fortinbras' father-son relationships. While Hamlet's uncle assumes the throne, it is not Hamlet who does so, even though his father killed Fortinbras' father, mirroring Hamlet's own situation. The difficulty in perceiving his exploration for self rather than for his son is due to only being mentioned four times in the play. Seeking revenge for his father

and reclaiming lost lands, Fortinbras believes he must promptly take action once old enough by assembling an army."Thus in taking up his father's cause, as the Ghost implores Hamlet to take up his, Fortinbras 'becomes' his father" (Calendared 13). However, when Claudius informs Fortinbras' uncle, the King of Norway about his nephew's ambitions, young Fortinbras is reprimanded and makes a promise not to invade Denmark again in front of his uncle concealing his father's cause and becoming truly independent.In this play young Fortinbras serves as an exemplar of self-identification by breaking away from his father.This passage highlights the contrast between young Fortinbras and young Hamlet. While Fortinbras is able to break free from his father's legacy, Hamlet is unable to do so. One possible explanation for this difference is the presence of the ghost, which intensifies Hamlet's sense of duty. Calendared explains that Claudius also faces a similar identity issue as his name defines who he is. Throughout the play, he is never referred to by his actual name, only known through stage directions and the list of "Dramatist Personae" at the beginning. In Shakespearean times, characters like "King," "Denmark," "Majesty," and "uncle" were used instead of specific names, resulting in Claudia (as he is commonly known) lacking a distinct identity. By murdering his brother and taking over the throne, Claudia sacrificed his true self and adopted every aspect of his sibling's persona. He assumed roles such as King, husband, and even father to Hamlet. However, unlike other characters, Claudia had no desire to nurture his own individuality; he aimed solely to be like his brother and possess everything he had. Nevertheless, Claudia could never

truly become his brother because even though he gained all of his possessions, he could never possess the same noble qualities - bravery, compassion,and nobility. With fratricide as such a violent act committed by Claudia himself set him up for inevitable failure in achieving this goal.
He would never experience guilt-free omniscience or be celebrated as a great king for his courageous deeds. His desperate attempt to be someone else ultimately leads to his downfall. In contrast, Claudia's demise is particularly tragic as she dies out of greed and a longing for something unattainable, unlike other characters who struggle to define themselves. According to Calendared, Alerts faces the daunting task of establishing his own identity separate from that of his father despite not sharing his father's name. Polonium advises him to be true to himself but also imposes restrictions on him while he is away from home, going so far as sending a spy to monitor Alerts in France. When Alerts learns of his father's murder, he returns home seeking revenge rather than attending the funeral. Unlike Hamlet, Alerts acts swiftly and resolutely to avenge his father's death, similar to Fortifiers. However, while Fortifiers breaks free from being defined as a "son" and becomes his own person eventually, Alerts refuses to give up and meets his demise still labeled as a "son." Although not driven by the ghost of his father like Hamlet, Claudia fuels Alerts' hatred and desire for justice by questioning how far he would go to embody his father's legacy accurately.
At the moment of his death, Alerts gains a glimpse of personal identity by blaming the King for his fate. The text discusses

how Shakespeare faced a challenge when rewriting Thomas Ked's play Hamlet. Shakespeare risked creating a play that not only shared the same name and dramatic techniques as Kid's play, but also its form and pressure. However, Shakespeare broke away from this and focused on Hamlet's self-exploration and inner struggle, which was not typical of a revenge tragedy. Through this process, both the play and the character of Hamlet became individual and original. Shakespeare captures the struggle of defining oneself from their parents in his complex play, Hamlet.Hamlet and Fortinbras are linked to their fathers both in name and genetics, which proves to be a formidable obstacle. In order to differentiate his play from the earlier work "Our-Hamlet," Shakespeare must establish a unique definition for it.Hamlet possesses characteristics of a son, but only towards the end of the play does he begin to nurture his own identity.Conversely, Claudius transitions from his own persona to assume the role of a son.He tries to live out his brother's life,resulting in his own downfall and that of many others involved.The significance of Hamlet's soliloquies is thus pivotal in the development of his character and,of course,the progression of th eplay