Shakespeare's comprehensive analysis of all aspects of death, physical, spiritual and philosophical is very much in keeping with the mood of the time. In Hamlet's opening lines of his first soliloquy in Act I Scene 2 death is clearly on his mind.
             "O that this too too sullied flesh would melt,
             Thaw and resolve itself into a dew...
             How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable
             Seem to me all the uses of this world!"
             This speech would have an immediate impact on the audience who can identify with Hamlet's disillusionment and melancholy. It has been said that, "Hamlet's language is at the emotional heart of the play." This is illustrated in the detailed visual images which Shakespeare used in Hamlet's speeches. The use of the word "sullied" is powerful in evoking the idea that Hamlet feels his soul has been soiled by the recent actions of his mother and uncle. In this speech Hamlet is exploring the spiritual and philosophical aspects of death and wishing that God had not forbidden suicide. He longs to be free of the suffering and pain of life, but is not willing to go against God's Law.
             The issue of suicide is also explored later in the play with Ophelia. She, generally considered to be the most innocent, naive and poignant character, is extremely distressed by Hamlet's accusation of deceit and cannot understand his madness and the anger he shows towards her. The final incident, which causes her to lose her sanity and ultimately take her life, is the murder of Polonius by Hamlet. The description of her death is often considered as one of the most poetic and moving passages in the whole play.
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