Hamlet Soliloquy Analysis
Megan Strong and Rebekah Chong
Introduction
Throughout the play Hamlet we see the use of
soliloquies to allow us into the characters minds
and feelings. In this particular soliloquy we see
into Hamlet’s feelings towards his mother and
the emotional suffering he is feeling from the
entire situation. We are able to view how he
truly feels and see some foreshadowing of what
may occur.
SOLILOQUY
Tis now the very witching time of night
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood
And do such bitter business as the day
Would quake to look on. Soft! Now to my mother
O heart, lose not thy nature; let not ever
The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom:
Let me be cruel, not unnatural
I will speak daggers to her, but use none
My tongue and soul in this be hypocrites
How in my words soever she be shent
To give them seals never, my soul, consent
ANALYSIS
Tis now the very witching time of night
(The time of night when mysterious and supernatural
things occur)
When churchyards yawn and hell itself breathes out
(The day comes to an end and evil begins to arise because
it is night)
Contagion to this world: now could I drink hot blood,
(An evil or hatred that when brought to air can become
infectious to everyone who witnesses it. I willingly accept
this evil into myself)
ANALYSIS
And do such bitter business as the day
(Plan or conduct terrible acts)
Would quake to look on. Soft! now to my mother
(Those that witness these unpleasant acts would
shake with fear if seen. I'll continue this later, now
I'll go to my mother)
O heart, lost not thy nature, let not ever
(Let my heart stay firm and not change)
The soul of Nero enter this firm bosom:
(Don't let ideas of murdering my mother emerge,
for I will remain solid)
ANALYSIS
Let me be cruel, not unnatural:
(Let me be harsh towards her however, not seem strange)
I will speak daggers to her, but use none;
(My words will pain her emotionally but I will not hurt her
physically)
My tongue and soul in this be hypcrites;
(What I say and what I feel will contradict each other, for I
wish to speak spitefully but yet still love her)
How in my words soever she be shent
(In my words whether she feel ashamed)
ANALYSIS
To give them seals never, my soul, consent!
(I will not allow my heart to give in)
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE TO THE
PLOT?
• View his bitterness towards his mother
• Able to see how he drifts from the people
around him including his mother
• This is because he does not approve of her
choices and how they affect him
• He wants to harm her but not physically
• Significant in Hamlets suffering that leads to
the end of the play
WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE TO
HAMLET? OTHER CHARACTERS?
This is greatly significant to Hamlet because this is
all about how he feels and his pain. You can see his
deep pain in his hatred for his mother, but also the
fact that he does not want to hate her, giving us a
view of Hamlet’s relationships at the moment.
Significance to the other characters would clearly
be towards his mother. Although she is not aware
of how her son is feeling and is completely blinded
by selfish decisions and believing he has simply
gone mad.
WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO
COMMUNICATE CHARACTERS THOUGHTS?
One method Shakespeare uses to help further
communicate Hamlet's thoughts is symbolism. Hamlet
uses the word "dagger" as a symbol of how he wishes to
use his words to affect his mother. A dagger is used as a
physical weapon usually to cause harm or pain,
Shakespeare uses this to symbolize how his words will
hurt his mother mentally but not physically. Hamlet does
not wish to hurt his mother physically because he loves
her however, he wants her to feel his pain with his harsh
words. Symbolism shows the strained relationship
between Hamlet and his mother and you are able to see
his emotional pain.
WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO
COMMUNICATE CHARACTERS THOUGHTS?
Shakespeare also uses the method of symoblism when he
compares drinking hot blood to the acceptance of evil in
ones self. He uses hot blood as a symbol of the evil
Hamlet welcomes into himself because he willingly
"drinks" the blood, so he accepts the darkness into his
mind.
Shakespeare also uses personification in this soliloquy
because he gives the churchyard a human characteristic
or trait. Churchyards are unable to yawn because they are
not human but by giving them this trait, it allows the
audience to better understand what is occuring. The
transition from day to night.
WHAT METHODS ARE USED TO
COMMUNICATE CHARACTERS THOUGHTS?
Shakespeare also uses mythology as a method of
communication for Hamlet's thoughts. "The soul of
Nero" is used in reference to the Roman Emperor
Nero, who was the last emperor of the JulioClaudian dynasty. Nero was associate with tyranny
and extravagance, but mostly known for a number
of executions including the killing of his mother.
This is why Hamlet wishes for" the soul of Nero"
not to enter himself because he doesnt wish to kill
his mother. This use of mythology allows the
audience to better understand Hamlet's thoughts.
ARE THERE ANY PARTS THAT SUPPORT
THEMES IN THE PLAY?
One theme we can find evidence of is mystery and
supernatural events occuring. "Tis now the very
witching time of night, When churchyards yawna nd
hell itself breathes out", the word "witching" leads
us to believe that there is more to night the we
believe. The idea of "hell itself breathes out" can
persuade the audience intho thinking evil only
appears at night. This can be proven by the
appearance of the ghost in Hamlet, because it only
appeared at night. Shakespeare uses the night
setting for mystery and the mentioning of Nero
creates a supernatural occurance.
CONCLUSION
In the end, this soliloquy provides several insights
into the plot, the characters, the themes, and even
demonstrates certain ways of communicating to
allow us to interpret the characters thoughts. All in
all we perceive this as a sign of great suffering on
Hamlets part in the hatred for his own mother.