221k views
1 vote
When you look at the sequences of soliloquies, do you see any changes in hamlet? Explain.

User Benoittr
by
7.2k points

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

The sequences of soliloquies in 'Hamlet' indicate a clear evolution in Hamlet's mindset from contemplation to decisive action, reflecting changes in his character. Shakespeare's use of both iambic pentameter and prose in Hamlet's speeches serves to illustrate his fluctuating mental state and his relationship with different social classes.

Step-by-step explanation:

When examining the sequences of soliloquies in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', we do observe significant changes in Hamlet's character. Initially, Hamlet's soliloquies reflect his deep depression and despondency, as well as his contemplation on themes such as mortality and the ethics of revenge. As the play progresses, however, Hamlet's tone shifts towards a determination to act upon the ghost’s request for vengeance against Claudius.

Notably, Shakespeare employs both iambic pentameter and prose in Hamlet's speeches, which correlates with his mental state and reflects the character's social interactions. While nobles generally speak in iambic pentameter, signaling their status, and commoners speak in prose, Hamlet's fluctuation between the two could illustrate his conflicted identity and his disconnection from both the common people and the nobility. Additionally, these shifts might represent Hamlet's feigned madness or his actual descent into insanity.

The play's intricate language structure, as Hamlet moves between these forms of speech, enriches the depths of his character and underscores the complex psychological and thematic layers that Shakespeare weaves into the narrative. It also challenges the conventions of social class and reveals a profound commentary on the human condition.

User Ioanna
by
8.0k points