Hamlets First famous soliloquy
act 1.2 129-159
"Oh, that this too too sullied flesh would melt... " (1.2.129-159)
In the first soliloquy of the play, characterization of Hamlet is evident as we are able to see Hamlet's true feelings and personality. Although Hamlet is seen to be a noble, kind hearted prince in the eyes of others, he really is depressed and frustrated from the death of his father.
Purity
In Hamlets first lines of his soliloquy " O, that this too, too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew," (1.2.130) Hamlet is showing his first signs of realization and self doubt. As Hamlet is saying he wants his flesh would melt into dew, he is implying that he wants his life/ soul to be purified from all of the negativity and sin going on in his life ( Ophelia, his fathers death, remarriage ) . This is evident since dew is water that forms from condensation. Since water vapor is pure water, it symbolizes the purity Hamlet wants to achieve since his life is "dirty" and full of negativity. The picture symbolizes the purity Hamlet wants to obtain my showing a white rose with dew on it; the colour white symbolizing purity and positivity.
Pain
Pain is seen throughout this solilioquy as it is quite evident that Hamlet is experiencing some type of discomfort from the realization of his father's death and his mother's early remarriage. Hamlet talks about wanting to commit suicide since everything in his life is not going in a good direction. Surely, Hamlet says that he does not want to feel this pain and endure the mourning of his father when others do not seem to care as much as him. He is clearly pained through the loss of his father, as they were very close. Pain is also evident in Hamlet since his mother remarried 2 months later to his father's brother (1.2.138). This brought Hamlet to realize his mother never loved his father fully, and the love between them was not real ( 1.2.147-148). Hamlet is also facing despair through claudius and his mother's wishes to stay in Denmark and not return to his studies in Wittenburg.
Self worth
Hamlet, feeling angry and frustrated with the death of his father and his mother's remarry caused a feeling of lack of self worth. In the soliloquy, Hamlet says "but no more like my father/Than I to Hercules" (1.2.152-153). This shows us that Hamlet thought of his father like the great greek hero Hercules, being very courageous and hard working. This line that Hamlet says, shows that he did believe his father was like Hercules, but now he feels as if he cannot be like his father with his suicidal thoughts and anger towards his mother and step father. This line signifies the lack of self worth that Hamlet is starting to develop after comparing his father to himself. Hamlet is well aware that he will not be able to be as great as his father was, and therefore starts having a lack of confidence and lack of self worth.
Religion
After Hamlet returns from his unpleasant court with Gertrude and Claudius, he explains his feelings of despair through wanting to commit suicide. In the court, Gertrude and Claudius asked Hamlet not to return to his studies, but stay in Denmark. Adding this onto his father's death and mother's new remarry, Hamlet feels no other choice but suicide. He feels as though the world as " weary, stale, flat and unprofitable" (1.2.133). His believes that suicide will be a way out of the pain going on in his life. He quickly is able to decide that suicide is not an option due to his religion. Suicide would be considered a sin, and therefor his dead body would not be buried right. Hamlet wishes for life to be less painful and begins to think about how to change the madness going on in his life.
Secretive
Hamlet showcases his true self in this soliloquy as presenting his true feelings to the reader and not the rest of the characters by saying " But break my heart- for I must hold my tongue" (1.2.159). This signifies how secretive and to himself Hamlet really is and shows the reasons for his despair. In this soliloquy, we are able to see Hamlet's true feelings about everything going on, unlike the characters in the play, who are not aware. Hamlet stops the soliloquy when he hears Horatio, Marcellus and Barnardo entering. This shows that Hamlet is aware of his thoughts but does not want anyone else to know as they are considered to be a sin. This develops more characterization for Hamlet as diffident and self concious about himself and thoughts.
Betrayal
Betrayal is an evident feeling that Hamlet is feeling in this soliloquy. "Like Niobe, all tears ñ why she, even she
(O God, a beast that wants discourse of reason
Would have mourned longer!), married with my uncle" (1.2.150-151) is said by Hamlet. He is implying that his mother as being a beast, since she has moved on to her dead husband's brother. This, Hamlet see's as a betrayal for not only Old Hamlet, but for the family. He feels as though his mother betrayed all that she had with Old Hamlet as she barely mourned and had moved on so quickly; saying her tears weren't pure and real. A snake is mostly portrayed as evil, and very under the radar until they are ready to strike. The snake in the picture represents Gertrude as she betrayed the family and remarried her brother in law.