Hamlet Soliloquies Analysis
The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare is one of the most compelling and influential tragedies in English literature. The tragedy is rife with death, vengeance, and puissant soliloquies that are highly interpretable by the audience. Hamlet discovers his father’s unnatural death was a heinous plot by his uncle to steal the crown and the queen. Throughout the play, in Hamlet’s soliloquies, he reveals himself to be a righteous individual who will execute what he believes in: justice. In Hamlet’s second soliloquy, he vows to avenge his father after he was murdered by Claudius in perfidious fratricide. Hamlet affirms he will not forget the ghost and its desires and ignore the distractions of the world: “Remember thee?/ Ay, thou poor ghost, while memory holds a seat/ In this distracted globe”
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(I.5.104-111)
Hamlet will ignore “trivial” thoughts of his past, especially from when he was a “youth” because they are insignificant; he will only remember his father’s commands and every action Hamlet takes will be fueled by his need to bring justice to his father. In Hamlet’s mind, everything is now “baser matter” and insignificant. At the end of the soliloquy, Hamlet clearly states his intentions:
O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!
My tables—meet it is I set it down
That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain; 115
At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark.
So, uncle, there you are.
Now to my word:
It is ‘Adieu, adieu! Remember me.’
I have sworn't. (I.5.114-119)
Hamlet refers to Claudius as “villain” and discusses how he can “smile, and smile” and act like he’s innocent after he committed an unnatural act. Hamlet’s dehumanizing of Claudius allows Hamlet to justify his plans to murder Claudius. Hamlet’s last line in the soliloquy cements his intentions of murdering Claudius in order to rectify his father’s
(I.5.104-111)
Hamlet will ignore “trivial” thoughts of his past, especially from when he was a “youth” because they are insignificant; he will only remember his father’s commands and every action Hamlet takes will be fueled by his need to bring justice to his father. In Hamlet’s mind, everything is now “baser matter” and insignificant. At the end of the soliloquy, Hamlet clearly states his intentions:
O villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!
My tables—meet it is I set it down
That one may smile, and smile, and be a villain; 115
At least I am sure it may be so in Denmark.
So, uncle, there you are.
Now to my word:
It is ‘Adieu, adieu! Remember me.’
I have sworn't. (I.5.114-119)
Hamlet refers to Claudius as “villain” and discusses how he can “smile, and smile” and act like he’s innocent after he committed an unnatural act. Hamlet’s dehumanizing of Claudius allows Hamlet to justify his plans to murder Claudius. Hamlet’s last line in the soliloquy cements his intentions of murdering Claudius in order to rectify his father’s