Into Hamlet’s Mind
(An Discussion of Themes Found in Hamlet's Soliloquies)
Many scholars consider Shakespeare's work to be true genius. This is because of Shakespeare's amazing ability to pack so much meaning and depth into his writing. Out of Shakespeare's many magnificent plays, Hamlet continually proves to be one of his most popular. This is the most performed, studied, and ultimately well known play Shakespeare ever wrote. Throughout the play, Hamlet, the main character, performs numerous soliloquies through which many themes are introduced. Some of the most brilliant and famous lines Shakespeare ever wrote are from Hamlet's soliloquies. In Acts I, II, and III of William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, a major theme is apparent in each …show more content…
At this point in the play, Hamlet is in a world of conflict and despair. Soon following the death of his father, Hamlet's uncle Claudius marries his mother and therefore becomes king of Denmark. Not only is Claudius unsympathetic towards Hamlet concerning the loss of his father, but he has also just stolen Hamlets right to the throne, his mother, and ultimately taken over his father's position. Furthermore, Hamlet's disgust for Claudius only worsens the situation. Hamlet despises the sight of his mother with Claudius after having a man such as his father for a husband. Altogether Hamlet is feeling betrayed, depressed, disgusted, and conflicted. Hamlet expresses these feelings in him soliloquy saying, “O that this too too solid flesh would melt, thaw and resolve itself into a dew, or that the Everlasting had not fixed his canon ‘gainst self-slaughter… How weary, stale, flat, and …show more content…
When this soliloquy is delivered, Hamlet has just finished talking to the actors Rosencrantz and Guildenstern has brought to him. Moments before this speech Actor one delivers a set of lines at Hamlet's request. The quality of acting tis performer delivers is what causes hamlet to express these thoughts of guilt in his “now I am alone” soliloquy. Hamlet says, “Is it not monstrous that this players here, but in a fiction, in a dream of passion, could force his soul so to his own conceit that from her working all his visage wanned, tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect, a broken voice, and his whole function suiting with forms to his conceit? And all for nothing!” (Act II, scene II, lines 538-544) Hamlet sees this actor become so passionate that his eyes tear and his voice cracks over something fictional. This leads Hamlet to ponder why someone can become so passionate over nothing, when he, who has every reason to become passionate, can not. Hamlet is feeling guilty for his indecisiveness or his hesitance and restraint in achieving revenge for his father. He goes on to express his guilt and disappointment in himself saying, “For it cannot be but I am pigeon-livered and lack gall to make oppression bitter... Bloody, bawdy villain! Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!... This is most brave, that I, the son of a dear
(An Discussion of Themes Found in Hamlet's Soliloquies)
Many scholars consider Shakespeare's work to be true genius. This is because of Shakespeare's amazing ability to pack so much meaning and depth into his writing. Out of Shakespeare's many magnificent plays, Hamlet continually proves to be one of his most popular. This is the most performed, studied, and ultimately well known play Shakespeare ever wrote. Throughout the play, Hamlet, the main character, performs numerous soliloquies through which many themes are introduced. Some of the most brilliant and famous lines Shakespeare ever wrote are from Hamlet's soliloquies. In Acts I, II, and III of William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, a major theme is apparent in each …show more content…
At this point in the play, Hamlet is in a world of conflict and despair. Soon following the death of his father, Hamlet's uncle Claudius marries his mother and therefore becomes king of Denmark. Not only is Claudius unsympathetic towards Hamlet concerning the loss of his father, but he has also just stolen Hamlets right to the throne, his mother, and ultimately taken over his father's position. Furthermore, Hamlet's disgust for Claudius only worsens the situation. Hamlet despises the sight of his mother with Claudius after having a man such as his father for a husband. Altogether Hamlet is feeling betrayed, depressed, disgusted, and conflicted. Hamlet expresses these feelings in him soliloquy saying, “O that this too too solid flesh would melt, thaw and resolve itself into a dew, or that the Everlasting had not fixed his canon ‘gainst self-slaughter… How weary, stale, flat, and …show more content…
When this soliloquy is delivered, Hamlet has just finished talking to the actors Rosencrantz and Guildenstern has brought to him. Moments before this speech Actor one delivers a set of lines at Hamlet's request. The quality of acting tis performer delivers is what causes hamlet to express these thoughts of guilt in his “now I am alone” soliloquy. Hamlet says, “Is it not monstrous that this players here, but in a fiction, in a dream of passion, could force his soul so to his own conceit that from her working all his visage wanned, tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect, a broken voice, and his whole function suiting with forms to his conceit? And all for nothing!” (Act II, scene II, lines 538-544) Hamlet sees this actor become so passionate that his eyes tear and his voice cracks over something fictional. This leads Hamlet to ponder why someone can become so passionate over nothing, when he, who has every reason to become passionate, can not. Hamlet is feeling guilty for his indecisiveness or his hesitance and restraint in achieving revenge for his father. He goes on to express his guilt and disappointment in himself saying, “For it cannot be but I am pigeon-livered and lack gall to make oppression bitter... Bloody, bawdy villain! Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain!... This is most brave, that I, the son of a dear