About this assignment:
This type of Shakespeare essay is commonly seen on examination papers, often with a passage actually given to you as opposed to here where you select the passage yourself. On an exam paper, it would be extended to ask you how the given speech can be linked to another similar one elsewhere in the play.
Advice on tackling this essay:
In this Shakespeare essay, you need first to focus on choosing the soliloquy you wish to discuss. As Hamlet is Shakespeare’s most introspective play, dealing with inaction rather than action, it should be quite easy to find a soliloquy to analyse in detail for your Shakespeare essay.
To take one example, in Act I, Scene ii, Hamlet encapsulates his feelings about his own situation, the state of the country, the rule of his uncle, the death of his father, his opinions on his mother’s indecent haste in marrying his uncle and his own inability to do anything about it. All of these are major themes of the play which can be drawn out by close analysis of this one soliloquy and developed in your Shakespeare essay.
Follow the structure of the basic five paragraph essay:
- Introduction (one paragraph, saying why you have chosen the soliloquy that you have and the main themes you hope to identify)
- Main body (three paragraphs, each dealing with one or more themes you have identified) supported by textual analysis
- Conclusion (one paragraph, drawing together your thoughts on the play as reflected in your chosen soliloquy).
Focus particularly on analysis in this Shakespeare essay, as the question asks you to select a soliloquy and identify themes from it. You can only do this effectively in your Shakespeare essay by close-reading of the text. You need to quote and analyse thoroughly throughout in order to gain the maximum marks in this type of Shakespeare essay.
Remember that Hamlet is considered by many to be Shakespeare’s masterpiece and your Shakespeare essay should reflect this by giving priority to exploration of the themes as evidenced in the language and to the fact that the soliloquies witness to the fact that Hamlet is always the primary centre of consciousness in the play.
Sample essay response:
Introduction
In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” soliloquies are pivotal in revealing the inner thoughts and struggles of the protagonist, Prince Hamlet. These soliloquies provide profound insights into Hamlet’s psyche and the thematic undercurrents of the play. For this essay, I have chosen the soliloquy from Act I, Scene ii, where Hamlet articulates his feelings about his own situation, the state of Denmark, the rule of his uncle, the death of his father, his mother’s swift remarriage, and his own perceived inability to act. This soliloquy is significant because it encapsulates major themes of the play, such as inaction, despair, and corruption. Through a close analysis of this soliloquy, we can gain a deeper understanding of these themes and how they are intricately woven into the fabric of the play.
The Theme of Inaction
Hamlet’s soliloquy in Act I, Scene ii begins with his famous lament, “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, / Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!” (Act I, Scene ii, lines 129-130). This opening sets the tone for Hamlet’s profound sense of despair and his desire for escape from the burdens of life. The use of imagery related to melting and thawing highlights Hamlet’s wish for dissolution and release from his troubles. This yearning for escape can be seen as a precursor to Hamlet’s later struggles with inaction.
Throughout the soliloquy, Hamlet grapples with his inability to take decisive action. He is deeply troubled by the corruption and moral decay he perceives in Denmark, yet he feels powerless to effect change. This theme of inaction is further emphasized when Hamlet reflects on his own perceived impotence: “It is not, nor it cannot come to good. / But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue” (lines 158-159). Hamlet’s internal conflict between his moral convictions and his inability to act upon them is a central theme in the play, and it is poignantly expressed in this soliloquy.
Hamlet’s inaction is not merely a result of indecision; it is also tied to his philosophical contemplation of life and death. This soliloquy, with its intense introspection, foreshadows Hamlet’s famous “To be, or not to be” soliloquy in Act III, Scene i, where he contemplates the nature of existence and the allure of death as an escape from the pains of life. The thematic link between these soliloquies underscores Hamlet’s profound existential crisis and his paralysis in the face of action.
The Theme of Despair
Despair is a pervasive theme in Hamlet’s soliloquy in Act I, Scene ii. His despondency is not only personal but also reflects his disillusionment with the world around him. Hamlet describes the world as “weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable” (line 133), indicating his deep sense of ennui and disillusionment. This sense of despair is compounded by the recent events in his life: the death of his father, the hasty marriage of his mother to his uncle Claudius, and the usurpation of the throne.
The soliloquy reveals Hamlet’s profound grief over his father’s death and his outrage at his mother’s quick remarriage. He views Gertrude’s actions as a betrayal and a moral failing, which intensifies his sense of despair. Hamlet’s disgust is evident when he exclaims, “Frailty, thy name is woman!” (line 146), condemning not only his mother but women in general for their perceived weakness and inconstancy. This line reflects Hamlet’s deep-seated misogyny and his disillusionment with human nature.
Hamlet’s despair is also linked to his perception of moral corruption in Denmark. He laments the state of the country under Claudius’s rule, viewing it as a “garden that is unweeded” (line 135) and filled with “things rank and gross in nature” (line 136). This imagery of decay and corruption symbolizes the moral and political degradation of Denmark, which exacerbates Hamlet’s sense of hopelessness. The soliloquy thus captures Hamlet’s internalization of the broader moral and political decay he perceives in the world around him.
The Theme of Corruption
Corruption is a central theme in “Hamlet,” and it is vividly portrayed in the soliloquy from Act I, Scene ii. Hamlet’s reflections on his mother’s remarriage and his uncle’s ascension to the throne highlight the pervasive corruption he sees in the royal court. He is appalled by the speed with which his mother has married Claudius, seeing it as a violation of both moral and social norms. Hamlet’s disgust is palpable when he describes the marriage as “a little month” (line 147) after his father’s death, underscoring his sense of betrayal and moral outrage.
The theme of corruption is further illustrated through Hamlet’s condemnation of Claudius. Although Hamlet does not explicitly name Claudius in this soliloquy, his disdain for his uncle is evident. Hamlet’s references to the “unweeded garden” and the “things rank and gross in nature” can be interpreted as metaphors for Claudius’s corrupt rule and the moral decay that has taken hold of Denmark under his leadership. This imagery reinforces the idea that the state of Denmark is a reflection of the corrupt actions of its leaders.
Hamlet’s perception of corruption extends beyond the royal court to encompass broader societal decay. His reflections on human nature, particularly his condemnation of women, suggest a deep-seated belief that corruption and frailty are inherent in humanity. This pessimistic view of the world contributes to Hamlet’s sense of despair and inaction, as he feels overwhelmed by the magnitude of the corruption he perceives. The soliloquy thus serves as a powerful exploration of the theme of corruption and its impact on both the individual and the state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Hamlet’s soliloquy in Act I, Scene ii is a rich and complex passage that encapsulates many of the central themes of Shakespeare’s play. Through a close analysis of the language and imagery used in this soliloquy, we gain a deeper understanding of Hamlet’s internal struggles with inaction, despair, and corruption. These themes are intricately woven into the fabric of the play, shaping Hamlet’s character and driving the narrative forward.
This soliloquy serves as a window into Hamlet’s psyche, revealing his profound disillusionment with the world and his sense of powerlessness in the face of moral and political decay. It also foreshadows the broader existential questions that Hamlet grapples with throughout the play, highlighting the enduring relevance of Shakespeare’s exploration of the human condition. By examining this soliloquy, we gain valuable insights into the complexities of Hamlet’s character and the thematic richness of “Hamlet” as a whole.
In summary, the soliloquy from Act I, Scene ii is a pivotal moment in “Hamlet” that encapsulates the themes of inaction, despair, and corruption. Through a detailed analysis of this passage, we can appreciate the depth and complexity of Shakespeare’s work, as well as the timeless relevance of its themes. Hamlet’s introspective soliloquies continue to resonate with audiences today, offering a profound exploration of the human experience and the enduring struggles of the human psyche.