In Hamlets first soliloquy his attitude is desperate “Or that the everlasting had not fixed His canon ‘gainst self-slaughter.” Infact he is suicidal however Gods law forbids suicide. It is interesting in that such little time his mood can change completely. After meeting the ghost, in his second soliloquy he has a much different attitude “…I’ll wipe away all trivial fond records,… And thy commandment all alone shall live” Hamlet is no longer concerned with suicide but he is determined and set on his mission. He has changed his train of thought in a short time from the will to kill himself to the decision to kill Claudius “So uncle, there you are. Now to my word” here it becomes apparent that he is resolved to take revenge upon his father’s behalf.
The theme of disturbed order in the play is apparent in both of Hamlets soliloquies. In his first soliloquy he talks of the “weary, stale, flat and unprofitable… uses of this world” this shows his dismal outlook on the world. Also when he talks of the world as “an unweeded garden” he is referring to his view on the world as corrupt and this links in well with the theme of disturbed order. Similarly in the second soliloquy when Hamlet makes reference to “…this distracted globe” not only is this clever of Shakespeare as it comprises many meanings but it shows there is still a feeling of disturbed order in the play.
The theme of Appearance and Reality is also present in the two soliloquies on many levels. One instance it can be seen is in the first soliloquy “for I must hold my tongue” this shows that hamlet cannot share his thoughts therefore he must keep his feelings hidden behind his appearance. In comparison in the second soliloquy Hamlet talks of Claudius as “ smiling damned villain!” here he is implying of the evil reality behind Claudius’s genial appearance. This theme of Appearance and Reality makes the play very dramatic in places as it creates a sense of impending evil.
Hamlets Melancholic language in his first soliloquy “But break, my heart,” is in stark contrast to the determination and triumph in his second soliloquy “yes, by heaven!”. Furthermore the structure in both soliloquies have some comparisons. In both soliloquies there is the use of broken syntax to show the raw emotion in Hamlets voice. In his first soliloquy “But two months dead – nay, not so much, not two – .” the use of broken syntax shows how heartbroken and upset Hamlet is. Yet in the second soliloquy “O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else? And shall I couple hell? Oh fie!” the use of broken syntax and question sentences show a distressed yet enlightened Hamlet. And furthermore when Hamlet says “…unmixed with baser matter: yes, by heaven!” here the use of broken syntax, punctuation and assonance between “Heaven”, “women”, “villain” deliver a triumphant, climatic few lines.
In Hamlets first soliloquy there is a lot of strong feelings about his mother “Like Niobe” and “a beast…married with my uncle”. All this shows how he is disgusted and shocked by his mother’s remarriage. There is also a lot about her tears “all tears”, “…salt of most unrighteous tears” and “…flushing in her galled eyes” tell a lot about Hamlets view of her deceptive nature. All this about tears also links in with the theme of appearance and reality as Hamlets mother is appearing upset yet it is an act to hide the reality. There is also a hint that Hamlet doubts womens nature in general “frailty, thy name is women” this becomes important later on in the play with ophelia’s involving with Hamlet. Similarly in the second soliloquy Hamlet comments on his mother “O most pernicious woman!” with the same feelings as in the first scene though they are stronger now he knows the truth, yet now he is more concerned with his uncle.
To conclude, there are many stark contrasts in the language used, the mood and emotions of Hamlet personally before and after his meeting with the ghost. However the overall mood of the play in general and the themes of appearance and reality and disturbed order are very similar and strong in both soliloquies.