Hamlet. Throughout the play we see Hamlets state of mind through the presentation of his many soliloquies. The language Shakespeare uses such as metaphors, repetition and rhetorical questions shows the development of Hamlets character.

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Nicole Turner

English Essay

Throughout the play we see Hamlet’s state of mind through the presentation of his many soliloquies. The language Shakespeare uses such as metaphors, repetition and rhetorical questions shows the development of Hamlet’s character.

In the first soliloquy we see him express many emotions. Shakespeare shows Hamlet’s disgust at his mothers new relationship with his uncle, in many lines. Hamlet talks about ‘this’ situation and compares his uncle to his father. Hamlet uses ‘this’ as it is a vague term for his uncle where he does not have to say his name. The comparison ‘Hyperion to a satyr’ is a simile that shows Hamlet is disgusted that his mother has moved from a ‘Hyperion’ like his father to a ‘satyr’ like his uncle. ‘But two months dead: nay, not so much’. This quote shows us two things. Firstly it implies Hamlet’s repulsion towards the relationship happening so quickly and also it shows us Hamlet’s chaotic state of mind as he is sharing his thoughts but goes back on himself. Hamlet is stricken by grief and by the use of iambic pentameter it is clear that the grief of his father’s death is weighing heavily on his mind. ‘But no more like my father’ is not in iambic pentameter, this makes the word ‘father’ stand out in the verse and draws attention to the grief Hamlet is feeling. Another use of iambic pentameter to show Hamlet’s thoughts is ‘married with my uncle’. This also does not fit and with ‘uncle’ being the word that stands out it shows anger and disgust towards his uncle’s hasty relationship with his mother. This could also be anger as he has been usurped as he is the Prince of Denmark. The iambic pentameter shows us a lot of Hamlet’s emotions during this soliloquy. We see that at the beginning he seems to be in control as there is perfect iambic pentameter however as he progresses he loses control before regaining perfect iambic pentameter at the end. Losing control in the iambic pentameters shows us that even thought Hamlet is trying to control his feelings underneath he is a seething mass of emotions.

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In Hamlet’s second soliloquy the tones of worthlessness and inadequacy are common and emphasize the dissatisfaction he feels with his actions, or lack of action. After seeing the players Hamlet compares himself to an actor and considers himself a ‘dull and muddy-mettled rascal’. The first use of language in the second soliloquy is a list of emotive language which shows us that Hamlet feels he is a ‘rogue and peasant slave’. The use of these words are very important. By saying ‘rogue’ it suggests he is dishonest. This would be due to knowing the truth of his fathers murder but ...

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