IndexAn in-depth analysis of Hamlet's first soliloquyHamlet's references to Greek mythologyWorks Cited:Hamlet's soliloquy in Act 1, Scene II is the first of the play and, of As a result, he allows the audience to see his inner thoughts for the first time. The subjects of this soliloquy are numerous: his father's death, his mother's response to this death, his mother's remarriage to his uncle, and Hamlet's sense of anger at how his life has worsened in a short space of time. of time. Shakespeare uses rich imagery to portray Hamlet's sense of inner turmoil. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay An In-Depth Analysis of Hamlet's First Soliloquy Shakespeare begins Hamlet's soliloquy with immediate ambiguity. The word "stained", meaning soiled or spoiled, is used to describe Hamlet's flesh. This word may be used because the incestuous relationship between his mother and his uncle corrupted his surname and the purity of his blood. However, there are two other, equally relevant interpretations of the word that Shakespeare intended to use: First, "sallied", meaning "attacked" or "assaulted", refers to the context because Hamlet may feel victimized in these circumstances. . This would be consistent with Hamlet's dark mood in the soliloquy and his self-pitying nature. Second, the word may have been “solid.” This is consistent with the state change in the next two lines (“thawing,” “resolving,” and “dewing”). It is very likely that Shakespeare made this word intentionally ambiguous so as to fit two, or all three meanings. These two lines are also the first use of imagery in this soliloquy. This rather elaborate way of wishing for one's own end is more measured than a passionate or violent death wish. The change in state, from solid to liquid, is more natural and shows Hamlet's unpreparedness to harm himself significantly. The statement is also one of passivity: Hamlet would like to "do it" and has no plans. This reveals a lot about Hamlet's current state: he is simply morose and not suicidal. The next four lines are a further illustration of his depressed yet rational inner workings. He would have contemplated suicide if it had not been a cardinal sin and if he had not broken the law of the land (suicide was illegal at that time). The fact that he is not strong enough in his belief to break the law to advance his ideas is a testament to his perception of his situation. The fact that this would contradict God's rule may be an excuse for his inaction, rather than a serious obstacle. His desperation drives him to address God and this also adds a dramatic effect to the soliloquy. In his depression he is tired of everything: in Hamlet, the world seems to be devoid of hope ("How tired, stale, flat and unprofitable... this world!"). Shakespeare therefore uses a second imagery. He likens the state of the country to “an unkempt garden…the gross and gross things in nature just own it.” A once beautiful garden has been left to deteriorate: this suggests that the situation Hamlet finds himself in is due to the passage of time, rather than any human factor. Shakespeare shows with this careful use of imagery that Hamlet still suspects no one of his situation. There may also be a sense of self-deprecation here: Hamlet blames himself for not taking a more active role in the affairs of the kingdom and for preventing his garden from being completely controlled by those disgusting and gross things. This use ofimages can also relate to Hamlet's state of mind. While before his mind was clear and his purpose in life was evident, now his state of mind has degenerated. This may allude to a loss of sanity. Hamlet then turns to his father's death as a natural result of considering the root of his country's (and his mind's) problems. The statements "Let it come to this!" and... no, noticeably, not two-' create a strong rhythm and are both highly theatrical. With this, Shakespeare uses a third image when he compares Hamlet's father, the dead king, to Hamlet's uncle, the reigning monarch. If Claudius is a satyr, Hamlet's father is Hyperion. Hyperion was the Greek god of the sun: one of the least known Greek gods, he has almost no role in the mythology accompanying the period, however, that he is god of the sun means that he sees all and has power over life and death. A satyr, half man and half beast, could not be more different in terms of knowledge or power and therefore is a stark contrast. This makes Hamlet's opinion of his uncle and his late father clear for the first time. It also has the effect of showing that Hamlet is highly educated, being well versed in Greek mythology. Hamlet goes on to further complement his father with a grandiose statement, perhaps prompted by the earlier comparison to a powerful Greek god: “could…too grossly.” These lines are overly grandiose both for theatrical effect and to show the audience what powerful love existed between Hamlet's father and mother, and consequently how incredible it was that his mother could have remarried so quickly. Hamlet continues to say that his father's love for his mother was matched by his mother, who seemingly fed on her father's love and, instead of being satiated, became hungrier for him. This almost mutual image between father and mother makes the love between the two very evident and, in doing so, makes the previous month even more incredible. This thought is so repugnant to Hamlet that he wants to "think about it." The disjointed nature of this phrase illustrates the fragmented nature of Hamlet's mind. There is now a change in tone, where Hamlet stops lamenting his father's death and begins to rage at his mother's inconstancy. “Fragility, thy name is woman,” Hamlet begins. In this, he compares his mother to all women: This misogynistic statement can be a crass statement caused by Hamlet's fragile mentality or a statement that betrays Hamlet's true feelings. Hamlet shows how quick the queen's decision to remarry was by citing an example that the entire audience could relate to: the shoes she wore to her husband's funeral had not even worn out before she remarried. A rich imagery follows. First, the queen is compared to Niobe, a Greek mortal who cried for her children until grief turned her to stone. Hamlet then states, with a certain comic irony, that "a beast that wants the discourse of reason would have wept longer." These two images serve as a delightful juxtaposition for the audience. Hamlet's References to Greek Mythology Then, Hamlet reveals more about his character and his opinion of his uncle. By drawing on the differences between him and Hercules, Shakespeare shows that Hamlet is a flawed hero. Such self-deprecation adds to the audience's impression of Hamlet's personality. Hamlet's reiteration of how quickly his mother remarried emphasizes the point. He then uses a second hyperbole to describe his mother's actions, this time stating that the salt, caused by crying, had not left her eyes before she remarried. Shakespeare uses this as an additional literary touch: he wishes to portray Hamlet as indignant at such a brazen move. Hamlet.