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In Hamlet's first Soliloquy how does Shakespeare use imagery

Throughout the soliloquy Hamlet shortens the period of time between death and remarriage. It diminishes from nearly two months to "a little month" and finally to less than a month showing that whatever the time period Hamlet feels the wedding was far too soon and is very shaken by its occurrence. .
             Hamlet is thrown into confusion by the "wicked speed to post" with which his mother marries Claudius. He is confident that his perception of his parents as happily married is not wrong and doesn't understand his mother's recovery from her husband's death. He describes his father's love for Gertrude as so great "that he might not beteem the winds of heaven visit her face too roughly" and bears reference to an ever increasing appetite in expressing his observations of her feelings towards the late king. Hamlet's speech becomes more fluent here with fewer lines interrupted by ends of sentences. This shows that he is talking of something he is sure about and would suggest he is not disturbed by it however Hamlet also presents evidence to the contrary. He twice says that he doesn't want to remember, saying "must I remember" and "let me not think on it." This confirms Hamlet's depression as even a positive memory can cause him anguish possibly by magnifying the misery of his life at present. .
             Hamlet bears reference to great powers in his soliloquy. He talks of G-d and religious law, uses images of Greek mythological figures and pleads to "Heaven and Earth." It is this plea particularly that suggests Hamlet wants a greater power than himself to end his life or at least stop him from dwelling on his current thoughts indicating that he no longer feels in control and is trapped in his unhappiness.
             Hamlet uses exaggeration in his speech conveying the idea that he is feeling the extremes of emotion. Shakespeare's use of exclamation marks to mark emphatic speech also show Hamlet's strong emotions.


Essays Related to In Hamlet's first Soliloquy how does Shakespeare use imagery

1. Hamlet

... married her deceased husband's brother (Claudius). Hamlets true feelings are exposed in act one scene two through his soliloquy. In Hamlet's soliloquy Shakespeare uses imagery, diction, and allusion to identify the severity of Hamlet's disgust towards his mother's marriage to Claudius. The strong imagery Shakespeare uses in this passage shows the near hate of Hamlet ... her husband to post, and burying with him their relationship disgusts Hamlet, and he lets that be known to the readers. Not only does his mother speed his father to post, but flies with adroitness to consummate her new ma...

  • Word Count: 1185
  • Approx Pages: 5
  • Grade Level: High School

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