: Hi all, : Firstly I hope I didn't mispell Soliloquy like I usually do. Secondly, if you were asked to discuss the importance of this soliloquy (O what a rogue and peasant slave am I) in illuminating the character of Hamlet what points would you use? How would you tie in Shakespeares's use of language into a question that dwells on characterisation and theme?
: Sorry if this seems elementary, I'm only in high school. : 'later : Jeff
Jeff I don't know if this will be of much help but here goes.
Part of Hamlet's progress towards his own salvation is his gradual recognition of his own capacity for evil. Hamlet's recognition is akin to a journey of self-discovery--sorry,I know how corny that sounds. The motif of the journey repeatedly informs the dramatic structure of the play and at least sixteen journeys are featured. You might want to talk about the moulding of language to the shape of the experience and Hamlet's use of language to reflect his inner struggle. Hamlet's salvation demands that he accepts his fate and impending death. It's interesting to note that Hamlet's speech to Horatio in act 5, scene 2 where he says "Not a whit. We defy augury," Hamlet is speaking in prose which indicates a change in character. Prose was used in Shakespeare's period for speakers of an inferior class whereas verse was used for nobler characters. The mention of Hecuba is worth noting. Hecuba was the queen of Troy who was taken as a slave by Odysseus after the Trojan War. Her son Polydorus, a Trojan prince, was later murdered. Hecuba avenged his death. There are some parallels and some reversals between Hecuba's story and Hamlet that might be worth looking at. Good luck.