Full of irony, philosophy, and with the familiar subject of revenge, Hamlet's sixth soliloquy reflects themes of the entire play, and helped further my understanding of Shakespeare's masterpiece, Hamlet. The title character, in his second-to-last monologue reflected upon yet another obstacle in his path of revenge: Claudius' repentance. This barrier created frustration for the avenger, but also a reason for further procrastination, which so often was Hamlet's way out of a situation. The subject of the soliloquy was essentially that if Claudius were killed by Hamlet while repenting, he would go to heaven. This situation was ironic because of Claudius' secret inability to pray, and the irony was unknowingly reflected throughout Hamlet's viewpoint of the situation. Hamlet's philosophy was educated, but very ironic, as were many of the words and images that Hamlet put forward. The characteristics of this soliloquy; the subject, irony, Hamlet's procrastination and his philosophy were true reflections of the entire play, and that is why my understanding

Each of the characteristics of Hamlet's sixth soliloquy reflected the principal elements of Hamlet and because of that my understanding of the play improved. I was pushed to read more closely into the play and in doing so found many similarities between this particular speech, and the thoughts and actions of Hamlet. My understanding of Shakespeare's individual craft was also improved; many characteristics of his writings shone through in Hamlet, particularly his creative and questioning philosophies, his use of the procrastinating lead character, and his interesting and absorbing use of irony. The foundation principles of Hamlet were also revealed in the sixth soliloquy; the nature of revenge in a corrupt world; and my understanding of these were improved through closer examination of the play.

of the play developed and improved by examining the sixth soliloquy.

Hamlet's primary dilemma is that he had been ordered to avenge his father's death upon Claudius, but he is afraid of the implication this will have upon his own self: will he be corrupted by the evil he is trying to destroy? In his famous speech he questions whether 'it [is] nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles'. Through his sixth soliloquy I have come to understand better that his procrastination roots from the question: To act, or not to act? He questions the consequences of both and struggles to come to a conclusion, however makes small conclusions of 'not act' nearly every time he is reminded of his task to revenge, with the sixth soliloquy as a excellent example of this procrastination. In his introductory line to this soliloquy he says 'Now might I do it pat, now a is a-praying' and the tone he uses is almost unidentifiable. He is frustrated that this opportunity would otherwise have been p

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Approximate Word count = 1245
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)