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Tone Of Hamlet's Soliloquy

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In Shakespeare’s tragedy, “Hamlet”, he depicts the emotional rollercoaster the young prince rides on as he contemplates whether he should live or die by his own hand. Hamlet’s soliloquy highlights the pain and sorrow of his late father following his dilemma if he should live or die. Shakespeare reflects this by using metaphor and shifts in tone. Through the use of metaphors, Hamlet references his overwhelming emotions. First, he references his misfortune by using “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” while reciting his soliloquy. The “slings and arrows” are meant to suggest the troubles he faces. By “fortune”, Hamlet is referring to his fate and the “outrageous” circumstances of his father's death and his uncle assuming the throne …show more content…

When Hamlet asks himself the question whether to live or to kill himself (56-60), it is without doubt that he is thinking about life after death. Though he does try to ask his question logically, he is left without an answer. He then ponders on about the nature or death and if it would be like a deep sleep. He wonders, “To die; to sleep;... the rub”, He proceeds to believe that death and sleep are the same, he then realizes that the dreams are what he fears. Hamlet is uncertain of what the afterlife might bring to him and whether or not his suffering on Earth will come to an end. Hamlet proceeds to list the burdens one faces during their lifetime, leaning towards choosing death (70-76). He wonders why anyone would choose to live such an exhausting life instead of simply killing oneself. Towards the end of the soliloquy (78-80), he comes to terms with why ones choose life over death. They would rather face the burdens of life than to venture out to a land unknown. Throughout the soliloquy, questioning himself shows the grief he feels after losing his father, then a reflective tone in the end after realizing why he cannot take his own

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