How Shakespeare presents Hamlets turmoil through soliloquy Essay Example

How Shakespeare presents Hamlets turmoil through soliloquy Paper How far would you agree with this statement with particular reference to the ways in which Shakespeare presents Hamlet through his soliloquies? William Shakespeare presents Hamlet as possessing a mind that is in turmoil. However, it must be argued whether this turmoil exists in Hamlets subliminal thoughts, as a result of recent experiences, or whether, as his soliloquies suggest, Hamlets conscious thought processes reveal his reasoning behind why he should take revenge. The tragically flawed heros confusion can be explained in various ways in terms of the events recently affecting him, including his fathers death, his mothers incestuous marriage to his uncle and the discovery that this same uncle had murdered his father. It is therefore important to consider whether these events had a subconscious impact on Hamlets thoughts which are presented by Shakespeare through soliloquies. King Hamlets premature death has a large impact on Hamlets outlook. This is evident in the bitterness he demonstrates towards his uncle. As Hamlet declares, Claudius is A little more than kin, and less than kind, suggesting his sense of antipathy rather than familial closeness with his kin who had taken his fathers place as King of Denmark, and made Gertrude his queen. This hostility is attributed to grief by Gertrude who tries to advise Hamlet to: Do not forever with thy vaili d lids Seek for thy noble father in the dust. We will write a custom essay sample on How Shakespeare presents Hamlets turmoil through soliloquy specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on How Shakespeare presents Hamlets turmoil through soliloquy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on How Shakespeare presents Hamlets turmoil through soliloquy specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Thou knowst tis common, all that lives must die.(1. 2. 70-2) Here, Shakespeare portrays how little Gertrude understands the real nature of Hamlets grief; how it is made worse by what he perceives her act of gross disloyalty in marrying her husbands brother with such haste. However, Gertrudes response is a realistic reaction in both Elizabethan and modern contexts. Her reaction demonstrates a maternal concern over her sons emotional well-being and, in this context, her philosophical attitude that all that lives must die is borne out of love. Shakespeare presents Hamlets mind to be in a state of grief-induced confusion, exhibited through hostility. However, at this point in the play, it must be remembered that Hamlet is affected both by his fathers recent death and his mothers hasty marriage, and is unaware that Claudius murdered his father. In Hamlets first soliloquy he is already contemplating suicide, revealing the extent to which his fathers death had a dramatic effect on his outlook to life: O, that this too too solid flesh would melt. Thaw and resolve itself into a dew (1. 2. 129-30) Here, Shakespeare portrays how Hamlet now views the world, that is has become foul and is populated by things rank and gross in nature, referring to his mother and Claudius in their indecent haste in marrying each other. Therefore, his fathers death was possibly one of the reasons as to why Hamlets mind is in turmoil. Although, Hamlets soliloquies are possibly representative of a reflective philosopher with his soliloquies providing a gateway into Hamlets thought processes. For instance, he tries to reason whether he should believe the Ghosts proclamation that King Hamlet was murdered by Claudius. However, although Hamlets suicidal thoughts are presented in soliloquies, whether these are what he is truly feeling needs to be considered. Shakespeare is merely suggesting Hamlet is contemplative of suicide because he never actually acts upon his thoughts. Jacques Lacans theory, I am not where I think (Lacan, 14), may be applied to Hamlets character because what Hamlet is thinking is not necessarily what he believes, suggested in his statement to Claudius:So Uncle, there you are. Now to my word: It is Adieu, adieu remember me I have swornt (1. 5. 110-2) Here, Shakespeare reveals Hamlets criticism of his hesitation when taking vengeance upon his uncle, my thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth. Hamlet delays his action throughout the play, waiting until he can confirm Claudius actually murdered his father, suggesting that Hamlets thoughts are indeed nothing worth because he does not immediately act upon his thoughts. Furthermore, the political aspects Shakespeare presents in Hamlet relate to Hamlets duty, as a prince, to avenge the King if he has been murdered. It is therefore important to consider the Elizabethan context in which Hamlet may be perceived in comparison to the twenty-first century, thus: Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause, And can say nothing no, not for a king (2. 2. 520-1).