Hamlet
1. Choose one of Hamlet's soliloquies and discuss it in depth, showing how your understanding of the play as a whole was improved through closer examination of your chosen soliloquy.Full of irony, philosophy, and with the familiar subject of revenge, Hamlet's sixth soliloquy reflects themes of the entire play, and helped further my understanding of Shakespeare's masterpiece, Hamlet. The title character, in his second-to-last monologue reflected upon yet another obstacle in his path of revenge: Claudius' repentance. This barrier created frustration for the avenger, but also a reason for further procrastination, which so often was Hamlet's way out of a situation. The subject of the soliloquy was essentially that if Claudius were killed by Hamlet while repenting, he would go to heaven. This situation was ironic because of Claudius' secret inability to pray, and the irony was unknowingly reflected throughout Hamlet's viewpoint of the situation. Hamlet's philosophy was educated, but very ironic, as were many of the words and images that Hamlet put forward. The characteristics of this soliloquy; the subject, irony, Hamlet's procrastination and his philosophy were true reflections of the entire play, and that is why my understanding
This, coupled with his ignorance to his how his father's 'audit stands' with God (when the Ghost actually told Hamlet of his 'foul crimes') reveal a clear reflection of the irony in the entire play. Hamlet's logical and theological line of argument of 'And now I'll do't [while Claudius is repenting]. Irony is brought out moreover in the plain and simple fact that Claudius' only prayer is that 'pray can [he] not, though inclination be as sharp as will, [his] stronger guilt defeats [his] strong intent'. Essentially in this soliloquy, William Shakespeare reveals the moral problems associated with committing revenge in a corrupt world. He is frustrated that this opportunity would otherwise have been perfect for revenge, he is sarcastic in the use of the word 'pat' (which means 'conveniently') and he is also in a state of question, possibly confusion at the ironic circumstance. or about some act that has no relish of salvation in't'. The subject of Hamlet's sixth aside was very similar to his other six because of his inability to act upon his conviction. I was pushed to read more closely into the play and in doing so found many similarities between this particular speech, and the thoughts and actions of Hamlet. This makes us question whether it was Shakespeare's ignorance or his desire to create yet more irony, that drove him to write such an argument into the play. Another fantastic way my understanding of Hamlet improved is by the repetition and continuity of Hamlet's philosophical nature. If Hamlet were to send Claudius to heaven, 'this [would be] hire and salary, not revenge'; again Hamlet was led to question death as a solution. Also, despite his reformative education at Wittenberg, he voices the Catholic idea of pre-death rituals such as 'the purging of [one's] soul' as opposed to a salvation gained by faith (Luther).
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Acceptance Essays
