Rogue Soliloquy Analysis

In occasion, madness can lead to sadness, while in others madness can lead to anger. In act II of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, through the words of Hamlet’s long Rogue soliloquy, Shakespeare uses a series of poetic devices such as: mood, understatement, rhythm, simile, and symbol to identify that Hamlet is indeed going mad, specifically mad at himself.

Primarily, mood can be identified in the following passages: ‘“O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!”’(II, II, 577) and ‘“For Hecuba!”’(II, II, 585). From Hamlet’s sudden outbursts, it is identifiable through the Shakespeare’s use of words and exclamation marks that Hamlet’s soliloquy is not going to be pleasant. The mood is set when Shakespeare uses words such as “Rogue”, “Slave” and “Hecuba”

Am I a coward? Who calls me ‘villain’? ” (II, II 597-599). In this case, calling Hamlet a villain would be considered an understatement because although Hamlet has thoughts and has wicked ways up his sleeve to confront Claudius to make him look like the criminal. He really hasn’t done anything life threatening yet to Claudius, that would provoke the audience to think of him as the villain. In the opposite hand, calling Hamlet a coward would be more accurate, because not only is he torn in between what to do next and how a play is going to help his next motive, Hamlet has so much upon his shoulders like the ghost of his father, Claudius taking the throne before Hamlet. That he wants to be able to do something according to seeking vengeance against his uncle, but wouldn’t want it to be so malicious that he becomes known as the noble villain rather the sulking, mad noble son. Furthermore, as Hamlet is torn in between what to do next and whether his inquiries will make him a coward or a villain, Hamlet is even more mad, because not only is it hard for him to come to a conclusion, but Shakespeare empathises that Hamlet wants to see his uncle be pleaded guilty, through actions like a play which can toy with human emotions. But by doing so, Hamlet doesn’t want to be identified as neither a villain nor a coward, like he is too weak to do something

In this case, Hamlet is comparing himself to a prostitute because he is caught in not knowing what to do about seeking revenge against Claudius. Like a prostitute, if she was refused for her service it’s possible she’d be mad and start cursing to let out her frustration in where things went wrong. Akin to Hamlet, he is not refraining from seeking in revenge, but because he’s frustrated and he’s criticising one thing after another, as well as madly expressing himself, Shakespeare made his actions mimic a prostitute as he “unpack my heart with words” (614), in other words, unloads his feelings by expressing what is on his mind. As well, madness within Hamlet himself is identified when he bluntly compares himself to a prostitute. He says it because his behaviour honestly mimics what a prostitute would do. Likewise, Hamlet has a lot coursing through his mind and the number one thing on his mind is getting Claudius to confess his sin. Therefore, because Hamlet has to think so much and he is genuinely not happy, his current madness is turning to anger in which his outbursts,