A.P. English
Mrs. Hobson
Name_________________
The language of Hamlet’s First Soliloquy Act I, Scene ii
Imagery.
See the below listed images and—in this
column -- explain in each case what Hamlet is
trying to convey. (include identification of
specific type of figurative language for each)
“that this too too sullied flesh would melt and
resolve itself into a dew”
“weary, stale, flat and unprofitable seem to me
all the uses of this world”
’Tis an unweeded garden that grows to seed”
a king, was to this Hyperion to a satyr”
(Include identification of Hyperion)
Like Niobe, all tears – why she, even she – O
God!.. would have mourn’d longer” (include
identification of Niobe)
“O most wicked speed, to post
With such dexterity to incestuous sheets!”
What does the phrase reveal about his character
and attitudes in his soliloquy [ 10-11]?
Respond in this column.
2. Syntax. What does the structure of Hamlet’s sentences reveal about the character of his mind
and emotional state? Identify three specific examples, each representing a unique syntactical
structure. (Use your sentence worksheet and punctuation worksheets to properly identify the
various structures.)
Specific example – copy quote
and identify structure
What does it reveal about
character?
What does it reveal about
emotional state?
3. Exposition. What new information, not previously revealed in scenes i and ii, is given to the
audience in this soliloquy?

About Hamlet himself

About Claudius

About Gertrude

About Hamlet’s father