Caitlin, Anthony, Haley, and Amanda L.--Your DVD does not work. Please bring a working DVD to class tomorrow.
Watch the two versions of this soliloquy below:
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/plays/hamlet/soliloquies/tobeanalysis.html
Now that you've seen it and researched it, discuss its function in the play. In other words, why is this an important addition to the play Hamlet?
I believe that this scene was added to show that Hamlet really is depressed and that he's not putting on an act with Ophelia. Since it's a soliloquy, we know that no one is around to hear Hamlet saying these things, meaning that he's not trying to fool anyone. He has also been very silly in previous scenes, such as how he mocks Polonius and tries to seem crazy. This is a quick change of pace from crazy and silly to serious and depressed. However, as analyzed in that link, he does not use the words "I" or "me," so it does not necessarily mean that he is talking about himself. Overall, It still shows Hamlet's more sensitive, serious, and intelligent side and reveals that he probably wasn't only pretending to be sad over Ophelia.
ReplyDeleteI think that this was added to show the audience that their might be some deep inner problems with Hamlet. Since Ophelia was standing off in a distance she probably heard everything that he was saying and tries to understand why he is feeling the way he does. This scene shows that he is truly contemplating what he should do whether to kill himself or stay alive. He knows that the easiest way to end the way he was feeling is to kill himself but the way he uses the words us could mean that the ghost has gotten into his mind and has been screwing with his mind and now his "father" is a part of his thoughts. It shows a character change from acting weird when he ran into Ophelia's room to having a very deep soliloquy changes the way I look towards Hamlet that their could be something deeper wrong with him then just his fathers death.
ReplyDeleteHamlet's soliloquy is an important addition to the play because it is so honest. He is by himself, and the mirror even symbolizes reflection and that he is reflecting on himself as a human being. There are so many cases throughout this play where Hamlet doubts the honesty of others, and now there is finally honesty. We know that this isn't the act that he is putting on, but it's exactly how he's feeling. I think that he is in fact questioning the existence of everybody, not just himself. He's questioning mankind, purpose, and love. He's contemplating suicide, and if living is really worth it. He is sad over his dad's death and about Ophelia, and it has all built up and this is him at his breaking point. These are two people that he loves, and he is broken without them. I agree with Marc that this shows that he really is in love with Ophelia. This is one of the only times throughout the play that we know that Hamlet is just being himself, and this depression adds depth to the character and I feel empathy for him.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this soliloquy of Hamlet's is to show his more intellectual side instead of only looking at the side of him trying to revenge his fathers death. Like Marc said, since its a soliloquy Hamlet does not have to prove himself to anyone at this point. I think that Hamlet in this scene shows his depressed side about Ophelia because again, Ophelia was the only person he could come to to vent about his personal problems. As Ophelia obeys her father by cutting Hamlet of in any communication possible, it hurts Hamlet's heart to know that even Ophelia the one he trusted betrayed him as well. That is why he has been really emphasizing the point of how only 1 in 10,000 people can be trusted. Between Act 2, Scene 2 and Act 3, Scene 1 I believe that Shakespeare is really trying to show the reader a different side of Hamlet and through this soliloquy it really indicates his depression.
ReplyDeleteI believe this to be an important part of the play because this is Hamlet's way of almost processing all that he his doing, wondering if maybe he should just end his end own life rather than living with the endless injustices and humiliations life has to offer. I agree with Lisa that when he's looking into the mirror he is literally and figuratively reflecting on his life. Also, I think that this soliloquy affirms Hamlet's cowardliness, because in his second soliloquy he compares himself to being a woman because he is always talking about his feelings. Furthermore I also believe that Hamlet's use of using pronouns such as "us" and "we" and never "I" means that he is generalizing that what are we all doing in life and how can we as humans go on with life being as difficult as it is because he feels as if he has no one to live for. Lets face it his father, whom he idolizes is gone, and the woman he loves, Ophelia, is giving him the cold shoulder.
ReplyDeleteOn another note I think that this particular soliloquy also confirms that Hamlet really does care for Ophelia, especially because he wants her to keep him in her prayers. This kind of request I think is very important because if he were to notice anyone else coming like his mother Gertrude or even possibly Horatio he wouldn't wish for their prayers because he at this point he feels he can no longer trust anyone.
This scene shows the honesty of Hamlet's depression. It makes the audience aware that while some of his emotions are fake he is still going through a lot of honest emotional turmoil. It makes Hamlet relatable because he questions the existence of not only himself but people in general. This soliloquy was put in the play to make the audience think about and relate to the state of mind that Hamlet is in.
ReplyDeleteHamlet's fourth dramatic soliloquy is important to the play because it gives the reader a sense of his true feelings. I agree with Marc, since Hamlet is alone he wouldn't have to trick or lie to anyone. Hamlet's soliloquy confesses his debate on committing suicide. Being the important prince, he knows suicide is seen as a sin to the church. Right now, Hamlet is like boiling water that is about to spill everywhere. The loss of his father and the absence of Ophelia is changing his life. Ironically, his inner confessions are interrupted by Ophelia. Hamlet's request to be in her prayers is another way he is reaching out to her. I do not believe any of his spoken feelings are sarcastic or made up.
ReplyDeleteThis scene was an important addition to the play to show the character development of Hamlet. Having him perform this soliloquy lets us know that these are his true feelings that he is expressing. Hamlet is more sane or logical than he has been in the past scenes when he is with Lord Polonius, King Cluadius or Gertrude for example. He has a honest reflection on life and his choices as he thinks about suicide. By the end of the soliloquy I felt as if Hamlet is still putting on an act. This scene shows how Hamlet is really analyzing his situation and could foreshadow towards his future insanity over his emotions and whether or not to go through with getting revenge.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy this soliloquy for it shows an honest hamlet. I agree with Lisa how the mirror allows an element of reflecting himself as a human. It's a human thing to question humanity and to doubt mankind as a whole. IAnd it's a scary thought contemplating death and Hamlet explains that towards the end saying "And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought And enterprise of great pitch and moment With this regard their currents turn awry" You're not in the right state to make a final decision and your judgement is impaired when you cower away from life. And this to me is the most interesting thing that Hamlet has said so far because I see it as him being reasonable and actually evaluating a situation properly instead of jumping to conclusion so quickly like he had done towards his mother. I found that this soliloquy was necessary because it's an honest voice from Hamlet with no one around he's able to speak freely and cannot mend his words. It shows a Hamlet with a guard down which is good to understand a character as a whole.
ReplyDeleteI think this soliloquy is important to the play because it shows the readers Halmets feelings about the injustice done to his father. It shows how Halmet is rethinking his plan to take revenge on King Claudius. This allows the readers to see the struggles Hamlet has wihthin himself as to whether or not he should end his own life rather then suffer the pain his mother and step-father has caused him. In Hamlets second soliloquy we see how Hamelt realized he is a coward. He refers to himself as a weak women who talk about their feelings instead of action abon them. This soliloquy adds to this idea that Hamlet is struggling with his own thought about how to avenge his fathers death. I think Shakespeare really wants the audience to know how deeep this struggle within Hamelt actually is.
ReplyDeleteI think this was added to the play to show the complexity of Hamlet and to show that he isn't just asking for pity. It is the one time in the play so far that he isn't just thinking about himself. He talks about everyone in the world and considers their thoughts. He is being rational instead of acting out of emotion which is what he usually does so it shows the intelligent and serious side of him. He takes a while to think about the decision of whether or not he wants to be alive. I think he brings up a valid point when he says that people are scared of death because most people are and it gives the audience a chance to connect with him and his thoughts.
ReplyDeleteErik Helmle
ReplyDeleteThis soliloquy specifically is important to Hamlet on the grand scale of the play because it re-establishes Hamlet's link to sanity and reality. He was previously feigning madness in order to ward off the possibility of King Claudius developing suspicions of his motives, but he is waiting for his plot to come to fruition and enters a state of deep, mature, philosophical thought. He is examining life on the grand scale, but also contemplating death's effect upon life and how he wishes to know whether it is better to live through misery or to simply end ones life instead. This soliloquy shows how Hamlet still is doubtful of the path he has chosen for himself and whether or not he can fully commit to seeking complete revenge for the supposed murder of his father at the hands of King Claudius. The inclusion of the soliloquy may indicate that his doubt may spell the end of him.
This scene is vital to the play because it again shows Hamlet's inner conflict. Hamlet doesn't know whether to follow his religious or honor code throughout the play. His religious code would be to avoid damning his soul; however, his honor code conflicts by needing him to seek revenge for his father's untimely death. "To be or not to be" is Hamlet's question on whether or not he should commit suicide. Again, Hamlet is talking about action. He never actually does the act. Hamlet avoids doing anything throughout the play, and the reader can get quite annoyed at this flaw. He even talks about this towards the end, "With this regard their Currents turn awry. And lose the name of Action." The soliloquy also proves how immature he is as a character. He is around 30 years old, and still not King of the "prison," Denmark. If he was mature, when his father died, he should have became king; however, Claudius was named king. The soliloquy demonstrates how he can't take action and rightfully isn't king.
ReplyDeleteI think that this scene was put in to show that Hamlet is really upset and to show that he isn’t putting on act towards Ophelia. Since it is a soliloquy, he must be saying the truth because there is no one around him to fool or lie to. I think that this scene shows a different side of Hamlet, a real character change, a more serious and clever side to him, which proves that he, was being truthful when acting solemn about Ophelia.
ReplyDeleteFrom reading the scenes prior to Hamlet’s fourth soliloquy, we as the audience already know that Hamlet’s emotional well being is not at its peak. The question was whether or not, how he was acting towards everybody was an act or not. I think that Shakespeare may have added this soliloquy to reassure the audience of how Hamlet is truly feeling. I think that the first video clip where Hamlet was looking at himself and contemplating all his inner feelings was very powerful. I feel by portraying the scene that way it seems that Hamlet is questioning killing himself as well as questioning mankind. However I don’t think Hamlet uses “I” in his soliloquy because he himself is still unsure of what he truly wants to do. I also think that if Hamlet were to kill himself it would just proves how much of a coward he really is. In a way he would be taking the easy way out. He’s playing with the ideas of right and reason instead of acting on revenge.
ReplyDeleteThis soliloquy is an extremely important addtition to the play because it allows the audience to see Hamlet as a true tragic hero. Because he is by himself, we know that these are his most inner thoughts and feelings and that we know for sure he has realized that he has a problem (which is a key factor in a tragedy.) Hamlet's soliloquy is different from his confessions to Ophelia because we do not truely know if he is being sincere we can only think he is, while in the soliloquy we know for sure this is how he feels because he is by himself and does not need to decieve anyone.
ReplyDeleteI think that this soliloquy is extremely important to Hamlet's character development in the play. This is one of the first times where we truly begin to comprehend Hamlet's mindset without the biased opinions of people like Claudius and Polonius. Hamlet is more of a thinker than a do-er, which is causing him to analyze his current situation to the point of mental instability. However, ironically, he ponders the issue of life vs. death in a realistic and common mindset that most people during that time had. He takes into account the religious aspects of suicide being a sin, and is afraid that the ending of his own life will be damaging to his soul. Most likely, Hamlet will only have the choice to stay alive and avenge his father in order to keep his religion and restore his happiness.
ReplyDeleteHamlets soliloquy is important to the play because it further develops Hamlets character. It shows that he is an intellectual and that he is a deeply emotional person. He is contemplating his own existence and discusses the afterlife. Hamlet said that dying is like sleeping, and it may be something to wish for because "For in that sleep of death what dreams may come." Hamlet also questions killing himself in this soliloquy. This shows that Hamlet has the ability to sort through his thoughts rationally instead of just acting on his emotions. This speech was very important because it showed the raw Hamlet, without influences from anyone around him. As I was reading, I could tell that he was no longer putting on any silly act and it was the true Hamlet coming through.
ReplyDeleteCatherine Lang
I believe this soliloquy is important to the show because it shows how tormented and depressed Hamlet really is and in the monologue he basically is considering killing himself. He feels so conflicted at this point in the play that he doesn't know weather or not he wants to continue living. The scene shows that Hamlet is mentally unstable and isn't putting on a show for Ophelia, he is really very upset and depressed over everything going on around him. The soliloquy also gives the audience a chance to feel empathetic because to be or not to be is a question many people ask themselves and can relate to Hamlet at this point.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this scene is so important because it shows the inner thoughts of Hamlet. Not only is he putting on the antic disposition but he is honestly depressed and contemplating suicide. In the few scenes before this, Hamlet did not seem to be very logically and was acting very strange. However, when he is alone he is thinking very logically; this shows that Hamlet is still sain and very upset. I think that this scene is important because it shows how complex Hamlet's character is. He is clearly the smartest of all the characters, and this scene allows the audience to understand his inner thoughts more clearly.
ReplyDeleteI believe the primary purpose of this soliloquy is to show the audience Hamlet's true colors. Up until this point it is still very unclear to the audience which of Hamlet's words and actions are real and which are simply just a part of his elaborate plan. This most famous Soliloquy provides the audience with a quick glimpse into Hamlet's heart and shows how emotionally exhausted and conflicted he has really become from the ordeal he is being put through.
ReplyDeleteNot only does this scene give insight to Hamlets frame of mind it also shows the audience how troubling and how life changing the death of a loved one can be. He's so stressed and shaken by the turn of events in his life that he feels that a permanent solution to a temporary problem is necessary. It also changes the audiences mood about Hamlet from seeing him as a bit of a cracked out spoiled bitch to more of a seriously depressed and scared young man.
ReplyDeletei think this scene is a good addition because it really gets you into the mind of Hamlet. It also shows that his craziness may actually be real instead of just an act. Knowing that noone is around shows that what he saying is true emotion and not just being said to get a raise out of someone. The stress is really starting to bother him and this solioquy really makes me feel bad for him.
ReplyDeleteI think this soliloquy was added to the play to remind the audience of Hamlet's sanity. Although he has been feigning insanity, he is actually quite in touch with his sanity. This soliloquy also displays Hamlet's honest curiosities. By questioning whether or not suicide is right, he is questioning things that people usually do not question because it is believed by many people that suicide is a sin. He genuinely fears a dark and torturous afterlife, which shows the audience a vulnerable side of him. This soliloquy highlights Hamlet's depression and frame of mind. It also shows that he is more intelligent and philosophical than some people may think he is.
ReplyDeleteI think that this is a huge part in the play for Hamlet. Us as readers now truly understand how this internal struggle really tortures Hamlet. Shakespeare spends time with this Soliloquy so we see that this is a serious time of confusion and frustration for Hamlet. He contemplates weather he should take his own life or live up to honor his father. If he were to take his own life, the pain that the King, Gertrude and his father's death causes him would go away. But there is also that need to follow through with the promise he gave to his father, and kill King Claudius. I feel as if Hamlet seems to reason and make some sense with himself here..but we also see him going back to his old ways and not acting on anything. He always is speaking of how he will take action, but he never really does
ReplyDeleteHamlet's soliloquy gives the readers a chance to get a truthful glimpse of his feelings and mindset. This shows that he is deeply upset over Ophelia and is not just overexaggerating. We somewhat knew how Hamlet was feeling and thinking based on what has happened so far. So, this soliloquy acts as evidence proving his assumed opinions, now readers know for sure Hamlet's extreme sadness.
ReplyDeleteI think Shakespeare putting this in the play was huge. It shows how Hamlet is truly feeling, and he confesses many things to the reader during this soliloquy.This soliloquy shows Hamlets emotions of loosing a love one. I think Hamlet is contemplating suicide, and thinking about all his options during this scene. But like Cassidy said, if Hamlet kills himself he cannot fufill the promise he made to his father of killing King Claudius. I think this soliloquy also shows Hamlets true feelings towards Ophelia, and that he isn't putting on an act. I don't think Hamlet will commit suicide until he fufills his promise to his father in killing King Claudius, and even then I don't think he would commit suicide because of Ophelia.
ReplyDeleteI think that Hamlet's soliloqy is imperative for a comprehensive underastanding of Hamlet. You truly see how metally unstable he is. He has been feigning insanity,yet we see that it may not be an act. Hamlet is still dealing with the loss of his father; and more importantly, how to avenge his death. He is unsure of his feelings for Ophelia, which ultimatley combustes, leading to Hamlet debating whether or not to commit suicide. However, even in that senario Hamlet cannot find peace. Having no faith and consistantly visited by the ghost of his father, he is unsure of his afterlife and ultimatly, fears eternal suffering he believes accompany one who commits suicide.
ReplyDeleteThis scene is an extremely important part of Hamlet's character development. As many of my classmates have said, this scene allows us to get a glimpse into the mind of Hamlet. He is contemplating suicide, and is expressing his curiosities that lay between life and death. This soliloquy shows that Hamlet is not really putting on an antic disposition because he is extremely bothered by the death of his father, and how his mother didn't react to the death of his father like Hecuba did. I think that the timing of the scene is incredible because it comes shortly after that scene when Hecuba is mentioned. It adds depth to Hamlet because it shows that he is aware of the slight parallel of the tale and his actual life, and this scene shows how affected he was by it.
ReplyDeleteI think Hamlets soliloquy is extremely important to develop Hamlets character and further support that he has gone mad. This scene shows Hamlet is smart, but he is very emotional. At a point, Hamlet discusses of suicide and the afterlife. Hamlet believes that death is peacful and he will dream. Therefore, Hamlet considers deeath as an easier option. I think this speach showed the true Hamlet and how he is really feeling on the inside. This soliloquy reveals Hamlet is being real and not fake.
ReplyDeleteUp until this point in the play, we are forced to question whether or not Hamlet's acts are deceptive. He is often surrounded by other people or acting through his intense emotions, but this soliloquy finally gives an honest portal into Hamlet's mind. We now know he is seriously considering whether or not life is worth living as he is not putting on an act for anyone in this scene. And because he is calmer than he has previously been, we can take his thoughts into a more intellectual and serious consideration. Because he makes very intelligent and profound comparisons regarding life, death, dreams, and the afterlife, we know that his craziness is fallacious and that he is in fact very with it. Overall, this soliloquy supports the argument that he may have not lost his mind, but he is definitely very depressed.
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