The second soliloquy of Hamlet takes place in Act 2, Scene 2. Hamlet, the prince of Denmark is fighting an inner conflict after the death of his father. He struggles with the inappropriate marriage between his mother Gertrude and uncle Claudius who is now King. Hamlet grieves over his inaction and thought the best way to deal with this was just to wait and let God be the judge of his mother’s immediate marriage. Hamlet believes that the ghost who had revealed Claudius to have murdered his father might’ve played with his emotions forcing him into actions that are not justified. He ponders over whether he should kill Claudius in an act of revenge, but it is not in his nature to do so. He decides to observe Claudius to obtain proof. He resolves his problem by having actors perform a play in which they act out his father's murder so he can watch Claudius's reaction. This soliloquy brings out the major theme of action vs. inaction. Hamlet is unable to commit the act of revenge and his indecisiveness brings out the major theme behind this soliloquy. Hamlet gave the apparition of his father an assurance that he would act upon the murder of his father. Hamlet expresses anger at himself for not doing anything yet. He …show more content…
“What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba, That he should weep for her? What would he do, Had he the motive and the cue for passion that I have?”(ii.ii 586-589). Hamlet compares himself to one of the actors who performs with great passion which gets the audience to feel emotional when he doesn’t need them to feel anything at all. However, Hamlet says that he cannot do the same even though he has all the reason in the world to do so. This comparison has Hamlet questioning his courage. This leads him to ask a number of rhetorical questions. A personal favorite had to be “Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face?” (ii.ii 600). Shakespeare gives the reader an image of the coward Hamlet is making himself