Hamlet's First Soliloquy

In Hamlet's first soliloquy, we are presented with an inert and contemplative Hamlet. After what Hamlet's mother describes as, "[Hamlet's] father's death and our o'erhasty marriage" (2. 2. 57), Hamlet is melancholy and heartbroken, swearing that he no longer has a reason to continue on living. He says, "O God, God, / How weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable/ Seem to me all the uses of this world!" (1.2.132-134). Hamlet informs the readers through this statement that his world and life has become meaningless. Irving T. Richards suggests that this perturbed and miserable state is not erratic, but permanent, especially having gone through such traumatizing events (742). Similarly, readers get the sense that Hamlet feels betrayed by the woman

In a fearful encounter with his father's apparition Hamlet is told, "[t]hus was I sleeping by a brother's hand/ Of life, of crown, of queen at once dispatched, / Cut off even in the blossums of my sin" (1.5.74-76). This is to say that his uncle, the man who is currently wedded to his mother, murdered his father while he was asleep. Hamlet is distraught and begins saying, "O all you host of heaven! / O earth! What else?" (1. 5. 92). At this point of the play, Hamlet is overwhelmed by feelings of frustration, anger and grief. Hamlet is frustrated because he has yet to determined the truth of the ghost; angry because his father's death has not been brought to justice; grief due to the accumulation of events leading up to this scene. He allows these emotions to take total control over his behavior to others. As W.Schrickx expresses, "it is here that Hamlet dedicates himself to the role of the revenger" (16). In essence, at this point of the play Hamlet decides to take control of the situation at hand, and vows to avenge his father's death saying, "[s]o, uncle, there you are. Now to my word: / It is 'Adieu, adieu, remember me.'/ I have sworn't" (1.5.110-113). It is also at this point of the play where Hamlet begins showcasing his madness to other characters. However, readers are aware of his purpose of exposing his madness because shortly after his soliloquy, Hamlet speaks to his good friend, Horatio, saying, "[a]s I perchance hereafter shall think meet / To put an antic disposition on" (1.5.174-175). These words to Horatio are essential to proving Hamlet's sanity because we are getting a first-hand account, and another character who can prove this truth, saying that Hamlet will appear to be mad, but will not be consumed by madness. His intellect is prominent at this moment, beginning to formulate a way to avenge his father's murder,