Hamlet Soliloquy Analysis

1. Hamlet Soliloquy Analysis Megan Strong and Rebekah Chong

2. Introduction Throughout the play Hamlet we see the use of soliloquies to allow us into the characters minds and feelings. In this particular soliloquy we see into Hamlet’s feelings towards his mother and the emotional suffering he is feeling from the entire situation. We are able to view how he truly feels and see some foreshadowing of what may occur.

3. SOLILOQUY Tis now the very witching time of night When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood And do such bitter business as the day Would quake to look on. Soft! Now to my mother O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom: Let me be cruel, not unnatural I will speak daggers to her, but use none My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites How in my words soever she be shent To give them seals never, my soul, consent

4. ANALYSIS Tis now the very witching time of night (The time of night when mysterious and supernatural things occur) When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out (The day comes to an end and evil begins to arise because it is night) Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood, (An evil or hatred that when brought to air can become infectious to everyone who witnesses it. I willingly accept this evil into myself)

5. ANALYSIS And do such bitter business as the day (Plan or conduct terrible acts) Would quake to look on. Soft! now to my mother(Those that witness these unpleasant acts would shake with fear if seen. I'll continue this later, now I'll go to my mother)O heart, lost not thy nature, let not ever(Let my heart stay firm and not change) The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom: (Don't let ideas of murdering my mother emerge, for I will remain solid)

6. ANALYSIS Let me be cruel, not unnatural: (Let me be harsh towards her however, not seem strange) I will speak daggers to her, but use none;(My words will pain her emotionally but I will not hurt her physically)My tongue and soul in this be hypcrites;(What I say and what I feel will contradict each other, for I wish to speak spitefully but yet still love her) How in my words soever she be shent (In my words whether she feel ashamed)

7. ANALYSIS To give them seals never, my soul, consent! (I will not allow my heart to give in)

8. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE TO THE PLOT? • View his bitterness towards his mother • Able to see how he drifts from the people around him including his mother • This is because he does not approve of her choices and how they affect him • He wants to harm her but not physically • Significant in Hamlets suffering that leads to the end of the play

9. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE TO HAMLET? OTHER CHARACTERS? This is greatly significant to Hamlet because this is all about how he feels and his pain. You can see his deep pain in his hatred for his mother, but also the fact that he does not want to hate her, giving us a view of Hamlet’s relationships at the moment. Significance to the other characters would clearly be towards his mother. Although she is not aware of how her son is feeling and is completely blinded by selfish decisions and believing he has simply gone mad.

10. WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO COMMUNICATE CHARACTERS THOUGHTS? One method Shakespeare uses to help further communicate Hamlet's thoughts is symbolism. Hamlet uses the word "dagger" as a symbol of how he wishes to use his words to affect his mother. A dagger is used as a physical weapon usually to cause harm or pain, Shakespeare uses this to symbolize how his words will hurt his mother mentally but not physically. Hamlet does not wish to hurt his mother physically because he loves her however, he wants her to feel his pain with his harsh words. Symbolism shows the strained relationship between Hamlet and his mother and you are able to see his emotional pain.

11. WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO COMMUNICATE CHARACTERS THOUGHTS? Shakespeare also uses the method of symoblism when he compares drinking hot blood to the acceptance of evil in ones self. He uses hot blood as a symbol of the evil Hamlet welcomes into himself because he willingly "drinks" the blood, so he accepts the darkness into his mind. Shakespeare also uses personification in this soliloquy because he gives the churchyard a human characteristic or trait. Churchyards are unable to yawn because they are not human but by giving them this trait, it allows the audience to better understand what is occuring. The transition from day to night.

12. WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO COMMUNICATE CHARACTERS THOUGHTS? Shakespeare also uses mythology as a method of communication for Hamlet's thoughts. "The soul of Nero" is used in reference to the Roman Emperor Nero, who was the last emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Nero was associate with tyranny and extravagance, but mostly known for a number of executions including the killing of his mother. This is why Hamlet wishes for" the soul of Nero" not to enter himself because he doesnt wish to kill his mother. This use of mythology allows the audience to better understand Hamlet's thoughts.

13. ARE THERE ANY PARTS THAT SUPPORT THEMES IN THE PLAY? One theme we can find evidence of is mystery and supernatural events occuring. "Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawna nd hell itself breathes out", the word "witching" leads us to believe that there is more to night the we believe. The idea of "hell itself breathes out" can persuade the audience intho thinking evil only appears at night. This can be proven by the appearance of the ghost in Hamlet, because it only appeared at night. Shakespeare uses the night setting for mystery and the mentioning of Nero creates a supernatural occurance.

14. CONCLUSION In the end, this soliloquy provides several insights into the plot, the characters, the themes, and even demonstrates certain ways of communicating to allow us to interpret the characters thoughts. All in all we perceive this as a sign of great suffering on Hamlets part in the hatred for his own mother.