Soliloquies in Hamlet
Introduction
Shakespeare 's Hamlet, simply stated, is a story in which the main character, young Hamlet, is on a mission to avenge the death of his father, which he realizes was caused by the hand of his uncle. The majority of the play is centered around Hamlet’s vengeance and the pain and suffering caused by it. From the moment Hamlet learns of his father’s untimely demise he puts on an air of insanity as a clever device used to secretly execute his revenge. This plan works great in the story, but unfortunately it creates a few clouds of doubt for the reader when trying to decipher Hamlet’s true feelings from those he is feigning.
When Shakespeare crafted this masterpiece he certainly understood that Hamlet’s ruse would evoke some confusion in the reader, so as a remedy he included a few important soliloquies that are able to cast away some of the clouds and reveal Hamlet’s inner conflicts and introspective attitude. The purpose of a soliloquy is to outline the thoughts and feelings of a certain character at a point in the play. It reveals the innermost beliefs of the character and offers an unbiased perspective, as it is merely the character talking to the audience, though not directly, and most often not to any other characters who may cause the character to withhold their true opinions. Only through the use of soliloquy is the reader is able to delve into Hamlet 's hidden psyche and fully understand the feelings and motives behind Hamlet’s masked intent. Each of Hamlet’s soliloquies included in the play is slightly different, but at the same time are quite similar in that they all greatly enhance the play through wonderful use of vivid imagery and language.
O, that this too too solid flesh would melt (1.2.131-61).
O, that this too too solid flesh would melt
Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!
Or that the Everlasting had not fix 'd
His canon 'gainst
Shakespeare 's Hamlet, simply stated, is a story in which the main character, young Hamlet, is on a mission to avenge the death of his father, which he realizes was caused by the hand of his uncle. The majority of the play is centered around Hamlet’s vengeance and the pain and suffering caused by it. From the moment Hamlet learns of his father’s untimely demise he puts on an air of insanity as a clever device used to secretly execute his revenge. This plan works great in the story, but unfortunately it creates a few clouds of doubt for the reader when trying to decipher Hamlet’s true feelings from those he is feigning.
When Shakespeare crafted this masterpiece he certainly understood that Hamlet’s ruse would evoke some confusion in the reader, so as a remedy he included a few important soliloquies that are able to cast away some of the clouds and reveal Hamlet’s inner conflicts and introspective attitude. The purpose of a soliloquy is to outline the thoughts and feelings of a certain character at a point in the play. It reveals the innermost beliefs of the character and offers an unbiased perspective, as it is merely the character talking to the audience, though not directly, and most often not to any other characters who may cause the character to withhold their true opinions. Only through the use of soliloquy is the reader is able to delve into Hamlet 's hidden psyche and fully understand the feelings and motives behind Hamlet’s masked intent. Each of Hamlet’s soliloquies included in the play is slightly different, but at the same time are quite similar in that they all greatly enhance the play through wonderful use of vivid imagery and language.
O, that this too too solid flesh would melt (1.2.131-61).
O, that this too too solid flesh would melt
Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!
Or that the Everlasting had not fix 'd
His canon 'gainst
References: Newell, Alex, (1991) The Soliloquies of Hamlet. London: Associated Unversity Presses Bealey, Betty,(1963) William Shakespeare Hamlet., ed. Toronto: Academic Press Canada Edwards, Philip, (1985) William Shakespeare Hamlet., ed. Cambridge: Cambridge UP Jenkins, Harold, (1982)William Shakespeare Hamlet, ed. London: Methuen Kittredge, George, (1967)William Shakespeare Hamlet, Toronto: Ginn and Company