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Hamlet's First Soliloquy Analysis

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During Hamlet’s first soliloquy in Act 1 Scene 2, the prince’s emotional struggle with life and death are revealed. Hamlet’s fragile state is exposed as he struggles to deal with his anger towards Claudius and dissatisfaction with his unworthy ascension to King. The wish for his own death in the opening lines of the soliloquy offers the first evidence of Hamlet’s suicidal desires. These suicidal desires are reinforced by the disgust and anguish that Hamlet feels as a result of the incestuous marriage of his uncle Claudius and his mother Gertrude. The revelation of Hamlet’s struggle with mortality in this passage is established as a central theme for the remainder of the play. The soliloquy also establishes the dramatic revelations in Hamlet’s character which …show more content…

139), to Claudius shows the dissatisfaction he has with the ascension of Claudius to King. Hamlet uses the phrase “Hyperion to a satyr” (I.ii. 140) to compare the two men. This phrase depicts King Hamlet as a god-like figure in comparison to Claudius, who in Hamlet’s eyes would never be worthy of such admiration. Though Claudius is his father’s brother, Hamlet makes clear that he is not his equal by stating that Claudius is “no more like my father/ Than I to Hercules” (I.ii. 151-152). This is this first of many references to the Greek god Hercules in the play. By comparing himself to Hercules, a mythical hero, Hamlet emphasizes the contrast between his father’s greatness and his uncle fraudulence.
The events leading up to this soliloquy have cast a dark cloud over Hamlet. Once Hamlet is alone he is free to express the true feelings he is struggling to deal with. Hamlet releases the pent up emotions that he is keeping to himself and expresses his wish to die. The emotional response to death experienced by Hamlet in this passage, continues throughout the remainder of the play as he seeks revenge for his father’s untimely

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