How Hamlets Mental State Changes in the Soliloquies in...

How Hamlets Mental State Changes in the Soliloquies in Hamlet by Shakespeare In William Shakespeare’s â€Å"Hamlet† there are four major soliloquies that reflect the character of Hamlet. In this paper I will be analyzing and discussing how these four soliloquies reflect changes in Hamlet’s mental state; his changing attitudes toward life and the other characters in the play, particularly the women; and his reflection on the task of revenge that has been assigned to him. These four soliloquies are the backbones of the play, and they offer the audience a glimpse into Hamlet’s mind and thought processes. In the first soliloquy it is very obvious that Hamlet’s sanity is in question. This is apparent in the first four†¦show more content†¦Hamlet is first wondering how an actor, who has no true emotional connection to the play was performing can seem to have such deep emotions; while he in reality is feeling unfathomable pain and anguish and he cannot due anything more than mope around depressed and rant and rave about his father’s death. â€Å"What’s Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba, That he should weep for her? What would he do, He the motive and the cue for passion, That I have.† (134) Hamlet doubts his own character and obedience to his father in this Soliloquy. He ponders whether or not he is a coward because he has yet to kill Claudius. â€Å" But I am pigeon livered and lack gall, To make oppression bitter, or ere this, I should ha’ fattee all the region kites, With this slaves’s offal.† (136) During this soliloquy Hamlet contrives a plan to entrap Claudius so that hamlet can be totally sure that Claudius is guilty. â€Å" I have heard, That guilty creatures sitting at a play, Have, by the very running of the scene, Been struck so to the soul that presently, They have proclaimed their malefactions, For murder, Though it have no tongue, will speak, with the most miraculous organ.† (136) This soliloquy is very important because it demonstrates Hamlet’s anger at himself and Claudius, and how Hamlet intends to obtain the final piece of evidence about his father’s death. 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