William Shakespeare's Hamlet Act Two, Scene Two

1071 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Hamlet act 1 scene 2 soliloquy analysis

William Shakespeare's Hamlet Act Two, Scene Two

The second soliloquy is divided into three parts:

* Hamlet’s feelings of cowardice and worthlessness for not

fulfilling his own promise after witnessing a scene from the

Player that is filled with passion and emotions ( 560-587).

* Hamlet then comes to realize that he must take action upon

Claudius and with an explosion of anger, plans to do so (588-594).

* Hamlet plans to test Claudius to see if he is really guilty by

adding a scene like the murder of his father into the play

(595-617).

Section 1

1. In his soliloquy, Hamlet conveys a tone of worthlessness. He is

feeling useless and inept, because the Player has performed a scene

with such passion and emotion. Seeing this, Hamlet finds it “monstrous

(562)” that he has not yet fulfilled his commitment of avenging his

father’s murder. The Player is engorged with emotions over a

fictitious character, and Hamlet compares this to his own struggle to

find the strength and courage to murder Claudius. This is seen in the

lines “ but in a fiction, in a dream of passion, could force his soul

to his own conceit…visage wanned, tears in his eyes…(563-566)” and

“And all for nothing! For Hecuba!(568-569)”. Hamlet uses diction to

compare himself with the Player, and portrays himself as a pitiful,

weak, and miserable fool who “lacks gall(589)” to fulfill his

commitment. This is shown in the line “a dull and muddy-mettled

rascal(579)”. Hamlet’s choice of words such as “like John-a-dreams,

unpregnant of my cause(580)” shows Hamlet’s feelings of uselessness

for not being stirred to act upon the revenge he has pro...

... middle of paper ...

... This is seen in the line “the spirit that I have seen might

be the devil, and the devil hath power to assume a pleasing

shape(610-612)”. I think that this reasoning is just an excuse for

Hamlet’s procrastination as during his encounter with the ghost; he

seemed to be somewhat convinced that the ghost is his father as he

starts to think about revenge. He acts in a hypocritical manner,

taking no actions into his own hands other than the staging of this

play in which he will accomplish nothing. While Hamlet could infer

that Claudius is guilty through the play, it will not put Hamlet any

closer to the fulfillment of his promise and so Hamlet will find

himself at the same position as before. He will continue to whine in

self-pity like a pathetic, rambling child because he has not taken

direct action to fulfill his promise.

Show More
Related

  • Act 2 Hamlet Dialectical Journal

    293 Words  | 1 Pages

    My so called friends Rosencrantz and Guildenstern whom I know from Wittenberg were invited by my mother and Claudius to spy on me because they were concerned with my behavior and my apparent inability to recover from my father’s death. Claudius wasn’t only worried about me but also worried that Prince Fortinbras’s would attack Denmark thankfully he only asks if his armies could be allowed safe passage through Denmark on their way to attack the Poles. Relieved to have averted a war with Fortinbras’s army, Claudius gives him permission to only pass by. When I saw my friends have arrived I asked why they came to visit they lied and said just to see me I knew my mother and her king were behind this so I didn’t worry much

    Read More

  • Act 2, Scene 2 of William Shakespeare's Henry

    485 Words  | 1 Pages

    and not that he did this by his own choice. With this metaphor of a

    Read More

  • Juxtaposition In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    1710 Words  | 4 Pages

    Juxtaposition is a device that is often used to enhance and relate certain aspects of a writing piece. William Shakespeare uses this device in his plays to emphasize characteristics, themes and even scenes. He does this so that the elements that are being highlighted show major significance throughout the tragedy. In Shakespeare’s Hamlet juxtaposition is evident in the circumstances of the characters as well as their morals. Characters in the play that are juxtaposed against each other are Hamlet with Laertes, Hamlet again with Fortinbras and Ophelia with Gertrude. Overall they are parallel to each other and are considered foil characters due to their similarities and even differences.

    Read More

  • Hamlet Act 5 Scene 1 Analysis

    721 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet – one of William Shakespeare's longest and finest pieces of literary work. Hamlets play hones in on characteristics such as, sadness, madness, insanity, morbidity, and mortality. While many scenes depict many of these characteristic’s, if not more than one, Act 5 Scene 1 is renownedly known for exhibiting all five of these characteristics in just a few paragraphs. With Shakespeare’s writing technique, imagery, repetition, and metaphors expressed throughout this scene, it allows for the reader to receive a clear image of what is going through Hamlets mind. In Act 5 Scene 1, Shakespeare uses imagery to express what Hamlet is thinking at that moment.

    Read More

  • Understanding Hamlet's Famous Speech in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    528 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet's classsic "To be or not to be..."(Hamlet, prince of Denmark, 3.1.57) speech really shows who he is. Obviously Hamlet is horribly depressed. We have already seen several examples of this, but this speech gives us a clear picture of his sadness. More importantly however, his speech shows his weakness and indecisiveness. Hamlet is consistently melancholy, but he never really acts on it; he just kind of wallows around, full of self-pity and loathing. Finally, it gives us Hamlet's reason for not committing suicide. Throughout the play he seems to wish for death and here we find out why he doesn't bring it on himself. This also gives us a window into his personality. This speech provides us with a clear understanding of Hamlet and his motivations.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Hamlet's Soliloquy

    691 Words  | 2 Pages

    The interpretation of Hamlet’s, To Be or Not to Be soliloquy, from the Shakespearean classic of the same name, is an important part of the way that the audience understands an interpretation of the play. Although the words are the same, the scene is presented by the actors who portray Hamlet can vary between versions of the play. These differences, no matter how seemingly miniscule, affect the way in which someone watching the play connects with the title character. For example, one way that the Kenneth Branagh and David Tennant interpretations differ is in the speed and inflection of the soliloquys, as well as the ambient audio or lack of, in Tennant’s case, during the respective scenes. During the Kenneth Branagh portrayal of Hamlet, the speech is fast and in a forceful tone that gives a feeling that Hamlet is trying to make a point rather than understand the complexity of the situation in his own right.

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Decisions in Hamlet by Shakespeare

    536 Words  | 2 Pages

    By most accounts, this passage would be taken to mean that he does not kill Claudius because at this time the King is praying, and when praying one's soul will ascend to heaven if one should die. Hamlet wants Claudius to burn in hell; for him to go to heaven would make his revenge void. He will avenge his father's death when Claudius is engaged in some other less holy act, in order to insure the King's place in hell.

    Read More

  • David And Hamlet

    1453 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hamlet does not take the opportunity to slay Claudius as he prays because he believes it will save his soul. His contemplative nature takes over regarding the ghost’s revelation and he decides to devise a play to pique Claudius’ conscience and make sure he is really guilty.

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Hesistation to Kill Claudius

    1500 Words  | 3 Pages

    Furthermore, it is possible to propose that Shakespeare merely uses this scene to provoke irritation and consequently suspense from the audience. If Hamlet wasn’t given this opportunity to kill Claudius we would have not this insight into Hamlet’s indecisiveness, possible cowardice and inability to kill Claudius in cold blood. It is probable to suggest that through this soliloquy we are shown that Hamlet’s initial passion for revenge after the Ghost’s visitation has faded as the play progresses to merely thinking about killing Claudius.

    Read More

  • Hamlet's First Soliloquy Analysis

    1245 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hamlet’s first soliloquy takes place in Act 1 scene 2. In his first soliloquy Hamlet lets out all of his inner feelings revealing his true self for the first time. Hamlet’s true self is full of distaste, anger, revenge, and is very much different from the artificial persona that he pretends to be anytime else. Overall, Hamlet’s first soliloquy serves to highlight and reveal Hamlet’s melancholy as well as his reasons for feeling such anguish. This revelation in Hamlet’s persona lays the groundwork for establishing the many themes in the play--suicide, revenge, incest, madness, corruption, and mortality.

    Read More

  • Free Hamlet Essays: Hamlet's Inability to Take Action

    593 Words  | 2 Pages

    With his thinking mind Hamlet does not become a typical vengeful character. Unlike most erratic behavior of individuals seeking revenge out of rage, Hamlet considers the consequences of his actions. What would the people think of their prince if he were to murder the king? What kind of effect would it have on his beloved mother? Hamlet considers questions of this type which in effect hasten his descision. After all, once his mother is dead and her feelings out of the picture , Hamlet is quick and aggressive in forcing poison into Claudius' mouth. Once Hamlet is certain that Claudius is the killer it is only after he himself is and and his empire falling that he can finally act.

    Read More

  • Hamlet Soliloquy Act 2 Analysis

    453 Words  | 1 Pages

    “ (II, ii. II 523-527). The actor can put on a “mask” and express emotions that are not true, which is Hamlet's flaw. Hamlet resents that he is unable to do this which is the sole reason that his plan is being hindered. The emotional connection he had to his father overpowers his ability to act more passionate about his role in the revenge. Shakespeare focuses Hamlet's thoughts on the fact that he thinks of himself as meaningless. We see this further when Hamlet says, “Am I a coward?” ( II, ii. I 543). Hamlet judges himself as a “coward” as a result of his inability to act. Shakespeare's goal of the speech is embodied by this simple phrase. Hamlet feels vulnerable because so much is expected out of him, and the things he has to do are his weaknesses. To kill Claudius, he has to cut off his emotions and act like a different person, which he cannot

    Read More

  • Free Essays - Hamlet as a Tragic Hero

    1445 Words  | 3 Pages

    In addition to this internal struggle, Hamlet feels it is his duty to dethrone Claudius and become the King of Denmark.  This revenge, he believes, would settle the score for his mother’s incestuous relationship and would reinstate his family’s honor.  These thoughts are solidified in Act I, Scene 5, when his father’s ghost appears and informs Hamlet that is was Claudius who murdered him, and that Claudius deprived him “of life, of crown, and queen” (line 75).  This information leads to Hamlet’s promise to kill Claudius, while not punishing his mother for their incestuous marriage.  His statement, “thy commandment all alone shall live within the book and volume of my brain” (lines 102-103), demonstrates his adamant decision to let nothing stand in the way of his promise for revenge.

    Read More

  • Hamlet as the Tragic Hero

    828 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet’s tragic flaw was shown to him in a dream by the ghost of his father. His father tells him that he was murdered by his uncle, Claudius. In this scene, the tragic flaw was transferred and manifested itself in Hamlet’s actions. His obsession with revenge and death is all he can think about. He needs to act quickly and decisively but finds himself procrastinating about what to do. In Act III, Hamlet holds the knife over the head of his uncle, Claudius, but cannot strike the fatal blow. Instead, he writes a play about the same scenario to study the reaction of Claudius as to a clue of his guilt. After he decides Claudius is guilty of murdering his father, he still relents from taking his revenge. He says, “Haste me to know ‘t, that I, with wings as swift As meditation or the thought of love May sweep to my revenge.

    Read More

  • Condemned: Hamlet’s Moral Dilemma

    1663 Words  | 4 Pages

    Hamlet is one of the most often-performed and studied plays in the English language. The story might have been merely a melodramatic play about murder and revenge, butWilliam Shakespeare imbued his drama with a sensitivity and reflectivity that still fascinates audiences four hundred years after it was first performed. Hamlet is no ordinary young man, raging at the death of his father and the hasty marriage of his mother and his uncle. Hamlet is cursed with an introspective nature; he cannot decide whether to turn his anger outward or in on himself. The audience sees a young man who would be happiest back at his university, contemplating remote philosophical matters of life and death. Instead, Hamlet is forced to engage death on a visceral level, as an unwelcome and unfathomable figure in his life. He cannot ignore thoughts of death, nor can he grieve and get on with his life, as most people do. He is a melancholy man, and he can see only darkness in his future—if, indeed, he is to have a future at all. Throughout the play, and particularly in his two most famous soliloquies, Hamlet struggles with the competing compulsions to avenge his father’s death or to embrace his own. Hamlet is a man caught in a moral dilemma, and his inability to reach a resolution condemns himself and nearly everyone close to him.

    Read More

More about William Shakespeare's Hamlet Act Two, Scene Two

Open Document