Act III, Scene 1
In the soliloquy, Hamlet thinks what is the better option “to be or not to be” (line 64). This is one of the most important questions of existence, as the main character is considering whether to continue the life or to commit a suicide. He is indecisive whether it is nobler to feel pain of all the hardships of the life or to finish the struggle. On the one hand, “to die, to sleep” (line 72) means to make a pause and to have a rest after all the sufferings the person already faced in his or her life. On the other hand, “the dread of something after death” (line 86) keeps Hamlet away from this idea, as he is aware of the Christian values and the idea of suicide as a sin. The hesitancy of the character is based on ignorance of the afterlife. In case eternal dream follows the death, Hamlet would choose to die without any doubts because it is almost unbearable for him to “grunt and sweat under a weary life” (line 85). This soliloquy illustrates that Hamlet faced a lot of sorrow in his life and all these difficulties and misfortunes changed his previous perceptions. He is sure that life is miserable but he does not know whether there is anything good in the afterlife. These considerations cause him the additional pain.
Act III, Scene 2
The soliloquy illustrates the Hamlet’s satisfaction. He wants a revenge for his father death, and now Hamlet sees that he achieved some success in this “bitter business” (line 424). At this moment Hamlet gains a small victory over his uncle. The soliloquy also shows that the main character understands how cruel his idea is and admits that “the bitter day would quake to look on” (lines 424-425). The second part of the soliloquy is devoted to the thoughts of the Hamlet’s mother. The phrase: “I will speak daggers to her, but use none” (line 429) demonstrates that he still loves her despite her crime. On the other hand, he wants to be cruel with her as she deserves the punishment as well as Claudius. This passage also shows that Hamlet is afraid to get insane because of his malicious idea of revenge. Therefore he asks his heart do not lose his nature like Nero. Overall, the content of this soliloquy demonstrates the decisiveness of the main character and his eagerness to achieve his main goal. However, it also illustrates the complexity of Hamlet’s feelings as love for this mother, hatred for this uncle and a fear can be traced in this short passage.
Act III, Scene 3
The soliloquy is marked with the Hamlet’s inability to commit a crime. He sees Claudius at the moment of the praying. First, the main character considers that this is a perfect moment for the murder and he will be finally revenged for the death of his father. But then Hamlet stops in hesitation. His father was deprived of the opportunity to repent the sins and does not deserve a heavenly life according to the Christian canons. Hamlet feels that it would be unfair to grant Heavens for the murderer of his father. He decides to kill Claudius, “when he is drunk asleep, or in his rage” (line 94), when his soul is full of sins. In this passage Hamlet reveals the evolution of his idea of revenge. He does not only want to kill his uncle but he also desires Claudius to feel the pain in the afterlife, to be in the same conditions as Hamlet’s father. However, Hamlet hesitates not only because of this thought. He does not feel that he is able to kill somebody. In the first part of the soliloquy he is confident in his decision and he took off the sword. In the second part of the passage Hamlet looks for the reason for the delay.
Act IV, Scene 4
The last Hamlet’s soliloquy provides the insight into understanding of the character. He finally accepts his own decision regarding the revenge and rids the mind of doubt: “My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!” (line 69) Before making up his mind, Hamlet accuses himself in cowardice. He feels that his hesitations are dishonored, that he spent too much time thinking on the plan than on acting. Hamlet admits that a man is just a beast without the actions and deeds. The prince feels sorry that he has “cause and will and strength and means to do it” (lines 48-49) but still nothing has been done yet. Hamlet feels motivated because of the army he observes on the way. The prince feels the responsibility towards the whole country as he is the future leader of it. This adds him confidence in his decision to murder his uncle. The honor is another reason for Hamlet’s decision because “greatly to find quarrel in a straw when honor’s at the stake” (lines 58-59). By the end of the play, the main character managed to justify his revenge and convinced himself in its necessity.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. "Hamlet." Folger Shakespeare Library. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and
Paul Werstine. Folger Shakespeare Library. Web. 11 May 2016.
