Comparison of Hamlet Soliloquies

One of the major changes in Hamlet’s character (which is suggested by the language used in the first and final soliloquies by Hamlet) is the ostensible spirituality of the character. In contrast to Hamlet’s final soliloquy, Hamlet’s first implies an impactual spiritual/religious assurance. As seen in the third line, Hamlet concedes that there is an “everlasting”, whose laws condemn suicide as a sin. “Or that the everlasting had not fix’d he’s canon ‘gainst self-slaughter.” In addition this soliloquy has many mythological references, for example the comparison between his father and the sun God Hyperion. Not only do these references efficiently add insight for the audience and understanding of the text but also helps illustrate the character of Hamlet as a glorification of his circumstances thus highlighting his reverence of the divine.  

However, the words of Hamlet’s last soliloquy are not used for glorification or depreciation of anybody in regards to divine references. As a result, no ideals are established and the foul and gross physicality of nature is dominant. Hamlet calls humans “beast” characterized by the “bestial oblivion” whilst making several other references to less attractive elements of life such as “egg-shell”, “gross as earth”, “stain’d”, “blood” and “grave”. Although these elements are stated in this soliloquy there is an absence of acknowledgment of the celestial. There fails to be any mythological references made and even when God is stated the reference is lacking in number and importance. Hamlet does refer to God once “he that made us”, but again the importance is lessened due to the lack of capital in “h”. Shakespeare fails to give away any definite indication of Hamlet’s beliefs; there is a distinct reduction of Hamlet’s use and dependence on the spiritual and celestial.

In addition the contrast of mythological, celestial references and imagery used by Shakespeare is distinct in each soliloquy. In regards to the first soliloquy Shakespeare creates sordid and foul tones using disease imagery and metaphors to establish the reasons for Hamlet’s melancholia and creates bitterness towards Claudius and Gertrude.  Hamlet’s opening lines of this soliloquy incorporates plethora of metaphors in regards to “flesh”. These metaphors immediately start up the chain of disease imagery that is maintained throughout the rest of the play. Even though the imagery used by Shakespeare in the final soliloquy is constant with the Hamlet’s disgust of the physical, its focus is more on the association of man and beast.  This soliloquy is far less descriptive and far more focused on prefacing action than the first.

In contrast to the increase of the intellectual, Hamlet makes the first derogatory comment towards the intellect and language: “of thinking too precisely on the event” and “my thoughts be bloody”. This overall reduction in outrage and passion indicates the change of Hamlet’s character throughout the rest of the play.        

Overall it is evident that throughout the play the character of Hamlet progresses into a rational thinker whose action takes place in order to serve both internal desires and that of society. It is evident through his soliloquies that Hamlet is able to express his feelings as a rational individual rather than a hasty person, rushing into action without thought.  As the character of Hamlet progresses the audience is able to see a more positive outcome for Hamlet, with the expectations of vengeance being served and every character falling to their own demise.