Hamlet's first soliloquy is the first introduction that the audience has to Hamlet. When everyone is in the room with Hamlet it is difficult to tell when he is sincere or sarcastic. He appeared to reluctantly obey his mother's wishes that he would stop mourning but it is clear that the pain is still haunting Hamlet. This first soliloquy is a window into how Hamlet actually feels without the veil that he puts on in front of others.
Hamlet is first portrayed as depressed and even suicidal in the first part of his soliloquy. When Hamlet says, "O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew," he is wishing that he could just drop dead instantly so he would no longer have to suffer the grief he feels. Hamlet is obviously G-d fearing as well because he would not commit suicide according to G-d is a sin.
Hamlet then begins to compare the glory of his father to the unworthiness of his uncle. Hamlet compares his uncle to a goat-man and his father to the god of sun. Hamlet obviously does not believe that his uncle is fit to be king or the husband to his mother. To Hamlet, his uncle and father are incredibly unalike despite their shared blood.
Ryan,
ReplyDeleteFirst I would argue that he is not hiding his real emotions at all. He seems to have no problem expressing his distaste. I think its also important to note the way he talks about his mother and her relationship. There is a level of guilt and grief about his father's death and a feeling of betrayal that should be noted.