Why Is Hamlet's First Soliloquy

Words: 414

Pages: 2

Open Document

The “To be or not to be-” soliloquy at the beginning Act 3 Scene I, is without a doubt one of William Shakespeare’s most famous soliloquies and it is used all throughout pop culture. This soliloquy seems to be driven by reason rather than Prince Hamlet’s emotions running wild. Waiting for his play reenactment to reveal the true “conscience of the king”, Hamlet sparks an internal philosophical debate on the advantages and disadvantages of his existence and whether someone has the GOD given right to end his or her own life. At first read, Hamlet seems as if he is speaking of his own personal situation. But after re-reading and analyzing the soliloquy, nothing in the soliloquy relates it Prince Hamlet’s individual case. Prince Hamlet uses the pronouns “we” and “us”, which makes the speech very impersonal.
When Hamlet poses the question “To be, or not to be: that is the …show more content…
“To sleep: perchance to dream:—ay there’s the rub; / For in that sleep of death what dreams may come” (III.i.68-69). The “dreams” he is so worried about are the traumas of the afterlife since there is really no way to be sure if all of his suffering while he was alive will turn into relief when he dies. At the end of soliloquy, Hamlet realizes “But that dread of something after death, / The undiscover’d country, from whose bourn / No traveler returns—puzzles the will / And makes us rather bear those ills we have” (III.i.81-84). Many choose life over death, just based on the uncertainty of the afterlife so this soliloquy becomes a deep thought about the nature and reasons of death.
At first read, Hamlet seems as if he is speaking of his own personal situation. But after re-reading and analyzing the soliloquy, nothing in the soliloquy relates it Prince Hamlet’s individual case. Prince Hamlet uses the pronouns “we” and “us”, which makes the speech very

Why Is Hamlet's First Soliloquy

character depth to the audience through soliloquies. Perhaps the most famous, and most quoted, soliloquy of all time is that of Hamlet in the first scene of Act Three. He portrays to the audience the inner turmoil that he is battling after his father’s death. At first hearing Hamlets words, one would think that his thoughts were contemplating the act of suicide to escape his duty. On the contrary, this view overlooks the facts of the situation and does violence to Hamlet’s own words. He has formed a plan…

Words 417 - Pages 2

Quarto In Hamlet

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, there are several textual differences between the First Folio and Second Quarto texts, which often affect the reading of a character or the play. One example of this phenomenon is in Hamlet’s first soliloquy. After being confronted by the Ghost of his father and hearing about the circumstances of King Hamlet’s murder, Prince Hamlet laments his own existence. He says that he wishes he could “melt” (Q2, 1.2.129), and then bemoans “Or that the Everlasting had not fixed…

Words 1688 - Pages 7

Hamlet: Laurence Olivier and Hamlet Essay

not to be” soliloquy was able to capture the loneliness and helplessness that Hamlet is feeling at this point in the play. Stemming from the betrayal from his friends and his rejection from Ophelia, Hamlet feels he is completely alone with no one to turn to. Olivier’s version captures this best, using symbolism to represent Hamlet’s options and feelings, voiceover to break up the soliloquy into out loud vs. narration to reflect Hamlet’s thoughts, and the use of setting to reflect Hamlet’s motivation…

Words 1073 - Pages 5

Hamlet Character Essay

time to contemplate many of his choices. Through Hamlet’s language and voice, we can examine what type of character Shakespeare created. Hamlet acts differently towards people in contrast to his actual thoughts, which are projected through his soliloquies. Due to the insanity…

Words 1185 - Pages 5

William Shakespeare's Hamlet: A Review Essay

Act 3 Scene 1 Hamlet’s Soliloquy (Kenneth Branagh) *what is a Soliloquy? -An act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself of regardless of any hearers, especially by a character in a play. Hamlet’s soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1 is one of the most momentous instances in the play. Kenneth Branagh’s interpretation of Hamlet’s words brings to life…

Words 896 - Pages 4

Mental State In Hamlet

the audience’s interest. Furthermore it is Hamlet’s arguable sanity which allows Shakespeare to explore themes such as drama, romance, tragedy and in some cases humour, therefore it serves to further develop the plot. In scenes where Hamlet puts on his “antic disposition” his actions and choice of words appear to have method behind them, this is also highlighted by those around Hamlet such as Claudius and Polonius. However as the play progresses Hamlet’s “antic disposition” seems to develop into true…

Words 1042 - Pages 5

Hamlet Soliloquy

history, Hamlet's 'To be or not to be' soliloquy never fails to strike a chord in the hearts of its readers. While some might argue that it is simply a contemplation of suicide and the meaninglessness of life, most critics admit that there are far deeper truths about the human psyche that can be derived from this passage. The astonishing coalescence of common anthropological motifs such as love, courage, uncertainty, free will, mortality and eternity in the 'To be or not to be' soliloquy is a sufficient…

Words 1706 - Pages 7

Allusions In Hamlet

In the first soliloquy of the play, Shakespeare develops Hamlet’s character as a grudge-filled and depressed man through spiteful diction against his mother, Gertrude, and frequent allusions to past events to convey uneasy feelings over his mother’s recent marriage. Throughout the excerpt, the diction Hamlet uses about his mother puts off a strong feeling of animosity due to her newly founded relationship with his uncle Claudius (who has now become king following his father's death). Furthermore…

Words 845 - Pages 4

Hamlet - characterisation Essay examples

character. Clothing. Demeanor. Shakespeare has a tragic hero with skill in language. Does he always use this to show his intelligence or does it sometimes show his instability? Think about his dialogue with Gertrude and Claudius at the start. Soliloquy 1. – Frustration. Suicidal Contemplates suicide Frustration at being unable to come to terms with Gertrude's marriage to Claudius so soon after the death of his father. Horror of incest – (‘incestuous sheets’ – hissing alliteration showing anger…

Words 1722 - Pages 7

Essay Characters in Hamlet and Hamlet Creative Reading

takes place during the time Shakespeare wrote the play. Section IV: Plot In the first Act of Hamlet, we are introduced to a ghost who seems to resemble the deceased King of Denmark. After seeing the ghost, Horatio decides to tell the son of the dead King, Hamlet. Hamlet meets the ghost, who claims his brother and uncle to Hamlet, Claudius, has murdered him. Claudius is now the present King and also married Hamlet’s mother, the recently widowed, Gertrude. Although he is uncertain if what the ghost…

Words 1619 - Pages 7