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Hamlet - Act 1, scn v Soliloquy Close Contextual Read
Close Contextual Reading of Shakespearean Soliloquy
Initial Context of the Soliloquy
Act, scene, lines: Act 1, scene V, lines 92-112
Speaker: Hamlet
Topic: The ghost's request to Hamlet to remember his image and words in order to seek vengeance on his death
Theme: The speaker (Hamlet) makes a reflection on the interaction with his father's ghost. He swears he will not forget his presence or request, even if it means erasing everything precious in his life, and he curses his mother and uncle for the wrongs they are committing, particularly the murder of the king.
The relationship between setting and speaker
How does the setting affect readers of this soliloquy? | The forest in which Hamlet finds himself evokes a mysterious and somewhat gloomy sensation; the darkness and loneliness of the immensity of the trees that surround him amplify his desolation for his father's murder and his anger towards his mother and uncle. The forest represents the negativity of the feelings he is currently expressing, his surroundings are a reflection of his dazed mind; as a result, he is in a vast and desolate place, in addition to being somber, like the pain of his words. The vastness of the forest contrasts with his determination to exact his father's vengeance. |
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What is the relationship between the setting and the speaker? | He is alone in the middle of a forest, and his presence stands in stark contrast to the vastness of the forest and its numerous trees. This makes him appear much smaller and more vulnerable, which corresponds to his thoughts' isolation and the power of his feelings in his actions. The physical loneliness is a representation of the anxiety he feels; no one understands the pain of what is happening or the seriousness of the marriage. |
Impact of the narration and characters on the reader
Narration B: How does the speaker’s point of view affect the details and information presented to the reader? |
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At this point, the reader is aware that the protagonist's father was murdered by Claudius, his now stepfather, as described from Hamlet's point of view, therefore it is impossible to say whether this is true or a fabrication based on his distaste of the new marriage. The reader can form a bad impression of the uncle and name him a villain, as Hamlet does, and therefore justify the suggested revenge. Because the full picture of the play is incomplete at this time, and there are no additional facts to establish that what the ghost said was not a fiction of Hamlet's feelings, the figure is viewed as a hero. |
Character D: How do diction and the details that the speaker offers convey a particular perspective, ambiguity, or inconsistency? |
The speaker compares Claudius to a villain, and because the reader has no prior knowledge of the character, the reader is easily swayed by Hamlet's bold and forceful comments. This commentary takes a negative view of the events that have led up to this point; the marriage cannot be good since the speaker paints Claudius in a negative light, portraying him as the villain. The speaker's diction is determined, and he leaves a very clear opinion of what he intends to do in addition to the above; there is no ambiguity in his reasons or views, much less an inconsistency. |