... uncertainty as to what comes after life causes great anguish and despair in the conscious being. This can lead to the brooding contemplation of ethics, the absurdity of life, and the burden of choice. For generations, literary writers have set their characters between the burden of discovering meaning in their lives, and the inevitability of their mortality. William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Hamlet, The Prince of Denmark, recounts the tragic acts of retribution, and vacillation in the wake of the King of Denmark's murder. The character Hamlet has menacing ... mortality as an eternal ...

• Word Count: 1258
• Approx Pages: 5
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The purpose of a soliloquy is to outline the innermost thoughts of a certain character at a point in the play. These thoughts deal with the true feelings of a character and give insight into what a character is thinking about and how their mind works. It emphasizes the difference between a characters public appearance in contrast to their inner thoughts and desires. There are many instances throughout the play that the external appearance of things appears to be true when in reality it is the opposite. The actions others ... the meaning behind his actions. If it weren't for his soliloquies, h...

• Word Count: 1397
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... to a compromise. The two sides of the psyche do not work for each other, meaning that the decision made is a result of a compromise between the two sides, not just one assuming what the other would want. The rational part of the mind does not assume what the emotional side wants; instead, both sides have a say. Also notice that both sides have an equal amount of input. In order for the psyche to be in balance, neither the emotional nor the rational side ... by the last scene of the play, nothing has happened still. Hamlet, without thinking, has accepted a "friendly" fencing challenge be...

• Word Count: 1980
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School