Hamlet Case

This soliloquy in Hamlet portrays the title character, Hamlet, reflecting once again on his lack of action after seeing Fortinbras' army on its way to Poland. Hamlet's self-reproach and negative view of mankind reinforces his belief that thoughts prevent action, while his admiration for Fortinbras reveals an aspect of Hamlet's character that focuses more on honor. The character foil between Hamlet and Fortinbras is also made clearer in the contrasts between them, all of which are expressed through themes found throughout the soliloquy, such as mental paralysis and revenge.

The very first lines of the soliloquy show that Hamlet is still consumed by the thought of revenge. Even though he has a plan against Claudius, he describes his revenge as "dull", indicating how ineffectual he considers his actions to be. This trail of thought brings him to question his own situation, himself, as is apparent when he says, "How stand I then, That have a father killed, a mother stained, Excitements of my reason and my blood, And let all sleep." Hamlet apparently believes that he is not doing enough for the sake of revenge, which fuels his self-disgust. Furthermore, at the end of the soliloquy, Hamlet ties back his thoughts to avenging his father, saying "Oh from this time forth, My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth." The word bloody is an example of diction that uses imagery to graphically portray how strong and violent Hamlet's feels, while the syntax in the repetition of the word "be" conveys the two extremes that Hamlet is willing to take. For Hamlet, all thoughts that do not pertain to revenge or useless- there is no medium between the two he can take, and thus he believes there should be no compromise in his murderous intentions. The theme of revenge starts and ends the passage. Clearly, it is still a key facet of Hamlet's character that drives many of his actions and musings, despite all the developments that have taken place since the Ghosts' appearance.

Revenge also prompts Hamlet to consider human nature, especially in relation to his own. He considers humans' main occupations as sleeping and eating, and contrasts the words "large discourse", "capability", and "god-like reason" with the phrase that man is "a beast, no more." By doing so, Hamlet ironically disregards his praise for humanity's ability to think by juxtaposing it to his belief that man is nothing more than a beast that lets his talents go to waste. Hamlet relates these thoughts to his character by rebuking himself for not being active enough in his actions. While he also blames it human nature being beast-like and cowardly, he mostly attributes his inaction due to thinking too much. This is a return to his previous idea, that it is too much thought and the fear that stems from it, that stops him from taking action. Evidently, Hamlet continues to feel restrained by his thoughts, which he views as cowardice, such as when he says, "A thought which quartered hath by one part wisdom, And ever three parts coward." This metaphor of thought as something that can be measured conveys Hamlet's contempt for it. Thinking is not a sign of pragmatism for him, but a weakness.

However, he seems to overlook the fact that his options for action are limited, since the person he intends to kill has the backing of the country behind him. Claudius' powerful position and responsibilities means that Hamlet must be cautious in order to achieve his goal, which Hamlet does not take into account when he degrades himself into a shameful coward. However, he is aware that he is fearful of the consequences, and that this fear is the result of overthinking. Hamlet's character is marked by this inaction and the awareness of it, which he expresses when he says, "I do not know Why yet I live to say this thing's to do, Sith I have cause, and will, and strength, and means To do't." Hamlet understands that he has the means to accomplish his goal, and that he is most likely, out of the many reasons, bound by his tendency of "thinking too precisely on the' event". Although not as perplexed or strong as before, mental paralysis continues to be a recurring theme that is part of Hamlet's character, as he struggles with overthinking, the limitations he is subject to, and his desire for revenge.

In direct opposition to his own character though,