The Soliloquies of Hamlet (Grade 12 NSC Matric English HL): Revision Notes
The Soliloquies of Hamlet
Introduction to Hamlet's soliloquies
Hamlet contains six major soliloquies that serve as windows into the protagonist's mind. These internal monologues are essential for understanding Hamlet's character development and the central conflicts of the play. Through careful examination of these soliloquies, you can trace Hamlet's emotional and psychological journey throughout the tragedy.
Soliloquies are dramatic devices where characters speak their thoughts aloud while alone on stage, allowing the audience direct access to their inner world. In Hamlet, these moments are crucial for understanding the protagonist's complex psychology.
The soliloquies reveal the complexity of Hamlet's mental state and illuminate the tension between his desire for revenge and his moral conscience. They explore themes of death, morality, justice, and the relationship between thought and action. Each soliloquy shows us different aspects of Hamlet's predicament and helps explain his famous delay in avenging his father's murder.
Hamlet's first soliloquy
Quote: "O that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!..." (Act 1, Scene 2)
Summary
This opening soliloquy introduces us to Hamlet's deepest feelings following recent traumatic events. He expresses overwhelming grief about his father's death and disgust at his mother's hasty remarriage to his uncle Claudius. The speech reveals Hamlet's first thoughts of suicide as a means of escaping his emotional pain.
Hamlet compares his excellent father to Claudius, showing his contempt for his new stepfather. The soliloquy also establishes the theme of death and introduces Hamlet's contemplative, philosophical nature.
Key points
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Hamlet's meditative character: This soliloquy establishes Hamlet as a thoughtful, introspective person, which contributes to his later delays in taking decisive action
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Comparison between fathers: Hamlet reveals how highly he regarded his father compared to Claudius, establishing the contrast between the noble dead king and his brother
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Theme of death: The soliloquy introduces the recurring theme of death and suicide that runs throughout the play
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Disgust with his mother: Hamlet's anger towards Gertrude's quick remarriage sets up the complex mother-son relationship that influences much of his behaviour
This first soliloquy is crucial because it establishes Hamlet's suicidal tendencies and his deep emotional pain, which will influence his behaviour throughout the entire play. Students often underestimate how this opening speech sets up all of Hamlet's subsequent actions.
Hamlet's second soliloquy
Quote: "O all you host of heaven! O earth! what else? And shall I couple hell? O, fie! — Hold, my heart..." (Act 1, Scene 5)
Summary
This soliloquy occurs immediately after Hamlet's encounter with his father's ghost. The ghost has revealed the truth about his murder and demanded revenge. In response, Hamlet decides to dedicate himself completely to this mission, even if it means forgetting everything else he has ever learned.
This marks a turning point where revenge becomes Hamlet's primary focus and driving purpose.
Key points
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Hamlet's reaction to revelation: The soliloquy shows Hamlet's shock and emotional response to learning how his father truly died
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Resolution for revenge: Hamlet makes a firm commitment to avenge his father's death, showing his initial determination
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Attitude towards family: His views about his mother and uncle become even more intense after learning the truth
The contrast between Hamlet's firm resolution in this soliloquy and his later hesitation creates dramatic tension. This moment shows Hamlet at his most determined, making his subsequent delays all the more significant.
Hamlet's third soliloquy
Quote: "Now I am alone. O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!..." (Act 2, Scene 2)
Summary
In this soliloquy, Hamlet harshly criticises himself for his continuing failure to take action against Claudius. He has witnessed a player (actor) showing intense emotion while reciting a speech about Hecuba's grief over her husband's death. This display of passion for a fictional character makes Hamlet question his own lack of action regarding his father's real murder.
Key points
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Self-criticism: Hamlet brutally examines his own inaction and questions why he hasn't already taken steps to avenge his father
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Theme of appearance vs reality: The contrast between the actor's feigned emotion and Hamlet's real but unexpressed grief highlights this important theme
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Development of revenge theme: The soliloquy further explores Hamlet's struggle with his duty to seek vengeance
This soliloquy reveals a critical flaw in Hamlet's character: his tendency towards self-reproach and paralysing self-analysis. The irony that an actor can show more passion for a fictional tragedy than Hamlet shows for his real one is central to understanding his psychological conflict.
Hamlet's fourth soliloquy
Quote: "To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them?..." (Act 3, Scene 1)
Summary
This is perhaps the most famous soliloquy in all of English literature. Hamlet engages in a philosophical debate about existence itself, weighing the merits of enduring life's hardships against the possibility of ending his suffering through suicide.
The soliloquy reveals Hamlet's academic, intellectual character as he approaches this deeply personal crisis through reasoned argument. He considers whether it is more noble to passively accept life's troubles or to actively fight against them, even if that fight leads to death.
The "To be or not to be" soliloquy is essential for understanding Hamlet's character and the play's central themes.
This speech demonstrates why Hamlet is considered one of literature's greatest tragic heroes - his ability to turn personal anguish into universal philosophical questioning about the human condition.
Key points
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Hamlet's academic nature: His use of reason and logic to examine this profound question reveals his scholarly, philosophical character
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Contemplation of suicide: Hamlet seriously considers ending his life as a solution to his problems
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Universal themes: The soliloquy addresses timeless questions about human existence, suffering, and the fear of the unknown
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Explanation for delay: This internal debate helps explain why Hamlet has been unable to act decisively - he is paralysed by overthinking
Hamlet's fifth soliloquy
Quote: "'Tis now the very witching time of night, When churchyards yawn, and hell itself breathes out Contagion to this world... Soft! now to my mother... Let me be cruel, not unnatural; I will speak daggers to her, but use none..." (Act 3, Scene 2)
Summary
This soliloquy occurs as Hamlet prepares to confront his mother in her chamber. The timing is significant - it's late at night, a time associated with dark deeds and supernatural activity. Hamlet is in a dangerous mood, capable of violence, yet he restrains himself from physical harm.
He decides to be verbally harsh with his mother - to "speak daggers" - but not to use actual weapons against her.
Key point
- Controlled aggression: Although Hamlet is in a mood where he could commit terrible acts, he maintains moral boundaries by choosing words over violence when dealing with his mother
This soliloquy shows Hamlet's ability to maintain moral restraint even when consumed by anger. The phrase "speak daggers" has become a famous expression for using harsh words instead of physical violence.
Hamlet's sixth soliloquy
Quote: "Now might I do it pat now he is praying, And now I'll do it, and so he goes to heaven. And so am I revenged, that would be scanned..." (Act 3, Scene 3)
Summary
This soliloquy occurs when Hamlet discovers Claudius alone and apparently praying. This seems like the perfect opportunity for revenge, yet Hamlet hesitates again. His reasoning is that killing Claudius while he's in prayer might send his uncle's soul to heaven, which would not be true revenge for a father who died without the chance to repent his sins.
Hamlet decides to wait for a moment when Claudius is engaged in sinful behaviour, ensuring his damnation.
Key points
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Another missed opportunity: Despite having the perfect chance to kill Claudius, Hamlet finds reasons not to act
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Moral and religious considerations: Hamlet's concerns about Claudius's spiritual state reveal the complexity of his ethical thinking
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Continued inaction: This soliloquy further demonstrates Hamlet's tendency to overthink rather than act impulsively
This moment represents the ultimate example of Hamlet's overthinking. Many critics argue that his reasoning here is merely an excuse for his inability to act, while others see it as evidence of his sophisticated moral reasoning. The dramatic irony is that Claudius reveals immediately after that he wasn't actually praying successfully.
The importance of the soliloquies
The soliloquies serve several crucial functions in the play:
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Character insight: They provide direct access to Hamlet's most private thoughts and emotions, helping us understand his motivations and internal struggles
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Philosophical depth: They reveal Hamlet's intellectual nature and his tendency to approach problems through deep contemplation rather than immediate action
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Plot development: The soliloquies explain Hamlet's delays and help trace his psychological journey throughout the play
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Theme exploration: They allow Shakespeare to explore major themes like death, revenge, morality, and the relationship between thought and action
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Audience connection: They create intimacy between Hamlet and the audience, making us feel like confidants in his internal struggles
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Dramatic irony: They often reveal information that other characters don't know, creating tension and deeper understanding for the audience
The soliloquies are what make Hamlet such a psychologically complex and realistic character. Without these internal monologues, audiences would only see Hamlet's external actions and might mistake his delays for simple cowardice rather than understanding the complex moral and philosophical struggles that paralyse him.
Key Points to Remember:
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Hamlet has six major soliloquies that trace his emotional and psychological development throughout the play
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Each soliloquy reveals different aspects of his character - from despair and determination to self-criticism and philosophical contemplation
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The soliloquies explain Hamlet's famous delay in seeking revenge by showing his complex moral reasoning and tendency to overthink
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Key themes explored include death, suicide, revenge, morality, and the conflict between thought and action
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The most famous soliloquy "To be or not to be" demonstrates Hamlet's intellectual approach to life's fundamental questions
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Together, these speeches create one of literature's most psychologically complex and realistic characters