Hamlet Soliloquies

In William Shakespeare's "Hamlet" there are four major soliloquies that reflect the

character of Hamlet.

In this paper I will be analyzing and discussing how these four soliloquies reflect

changes in Hamlet's mental state; his

changing attitudes toward life and the other characters in the play, particularly the

women; and his reflection on the

task of revenge that has been assigned to him. These four soliloquies are the backbones

of the play, and they offer the

audience a glimpse into Hamlet's mind and thought processes.

In the first soliloquy it is very obvious that Hamlet's sanity is in question. This is

apparent in the first four

lines of this soliloquy. " O that this too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve

itself into a dew, Or that the

Everlasting had not fixed, His canon 'gainst self-slaughter, O God! God!" (42) These few

lines show that Hamlet is so

depressed that he wishes he could melt away into nothingness or commit suicide. It is

also very apparent in this

soliloquy, that Hamlet is beginning to loath his mother for marrying Claudius only one

month after King Hamlet's

death. Hamlet loathes his mother and begins to loath all women, because he believes they

are all weak. "Let me not

think on't! Frailty, They name is women!" (42) Hamlet seems to view Denmark as a

metaphorical garden of Eden

which now totally corrupt, this can be seen when Hamlet says " Tis an unweeded garden,

That grows to seed; things

rank and gross in nature". (42) This soliloquy presents the audience a glimpse into

Hamlet's psyche, he is obviously

enraged at his mother's marriage, the state of Denmark, and he is still mourning his

father's death.

The second soliloquy is very intriguing and it helps to set up many events that happen

during the play.

Hamlet is first wondering how an actor, who has no true emotional connection to the play

was performing can seem

to have such deep emotions; while he in reality is feeling unfathomable pain and anguish

and