Hamlet's Soliloquies example essay topic
In arguably, Shakespeare uses a literary device known as a soliloquy. Shakespeare, as do many writers, utilizes this literary tool to allow audiences to hear a thought of a player as he sits alone on stage. In so doing, audiences empathize with Hamlet. Specifically, Hamlet's un speaking acceptance of his mother's marriage. In contrast to, his outspokenness in a later soliloquy.
As Hamlet attempts to adapt to the murder of his father and the hasty marriage of his mother to his uncle, his emotions in two soliloquies vary from mute acceptance to vocal opposition. Clearly, Hamlet tries to cope with his father's death and the impetuous marriage of his mother and uncle. However, his emotional state is mingled with grief for his father and anger and despair for his mother. The death of his father is extremely painful. Memories of his father brings awareness to him and makes him deeply sad.
He states, "Must I remember? [... ]" (1.2. 143). In particular, Hamlet recollects how deeply in love both his parents seem to be. And yet, his mother, Gertrude, rushes to marry his father's brother.
He claims, "But two months dead, nay not such much, not two", (1.2. 138). He continues to state, "God, a beast that wants discourse of reason / Would have mourned longer -- married with my uncle, /My father's brother, [... ]" (1.2. 150-152).
Although it is obvious in the first soliloquy that he is upset with his father death and his mother's incestuous marriage, he vows to be silent. He states, "But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue" (1.2. 159). In fact, he respects his mother because he acknowledges her position in his family.
With this object, he declares an oath of silence. Hamlet avows to a mute acceptance, consequently, he is committing endless torture to himself. Therefore, he decides he can no longer be speechless, and decides to speak his peace. In contrast to soliloquy one, Hamlet decides to speak his opposition in soliloquy five.
A principle reason for his haste decision is he is outraged with his mother's and uncle's incestuous marriage. Similarly, he still does not change his view on the marriage. Furthermore, his decision to remain mute has made him more irritated with the situation. At the same time, he thought it would be best to the situation to be silent. But as time deteriorates, he realizes he can no longer hold his "tongue". As Hamlet decides to verbalize his opposition, one must remember that he refuses to use any violence towards his mother.
He swears he will use verbal assaults instead of physical attacks. He utters, "Let me be cruel, not unnatural. / I will speak daggers to her, but use none: / My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites", (3.2. 372-374). In these particular lines, Hamlet is viewed by audiences as being hypocritical because he real wants to physically injury her. Yet, he is overcome by this because he know this is his mother.
Indeed, Hamlet is outspoken, but respectful to his mother. All in all, Hamlet shows an emotional side to the audience. Clearly, Hamlet decision to vocalize his opposition has a moving effect on viewers. Hamlet represents a honest character, who many can relate to because he attempts to adapt to the murder of his father and the hasty marriage of his mother to his uncle, by first being mute about his opposition then, being vocal about his opposition. As a result of Hamlet opposition of his mother's marriage, audiences can correlate with Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Hamlet's soliloquies teach viewers that at times one needs to be outspoken so persons will know one's view on a certain issue. And for this reason, Shakespeare's Hamlet is still being referred to in the present.