1. Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Act III, Scene I A room in the castle (The textbook: PP.76-77)

2. The Aim of This Class Background Information The Text The Fragment of A Film Questions on the Soliloquy Written Work

3. I. The Aim of This Class home 1. To enable the students to appreciate the figurative expressions, which may enrich their cultural & linguistic knowledge, in this soliloquy so that they may get a better understanding of it.

4. I. The Aim of This Class 2. To enable the students to have a fairly good idea of Hamlet’s mental conflict and character. home

5. II. Background Information 1. The Nature of TragedyThe Nature of Tragedy 2. SoliloquySoliloquy 3. Some of the Problems Troubling HamletSome of the Problems Troubling Hamlet home

6. II. Background Information back 1. The Nature of Tragedy Tragedies were concerned with the harshness and apparent injustice of life. They involved the trials and eventual death of a hero who was an important person and whose death led to the downfall of others. Often, the hero’s fall from happiness was due to a weakness in his character (a weakness such as the overweening ambition of Macbeth, the uncontrolled jealousy of Othello or the excessive pride of Coriolanus.). Tragedies were concerned with the harshness and apparent injustice of life. They involved the trials and eventual death of a hero who was an important person and whose death led to the downfall of others. Often, the hero’s fall from happiness was due to a weakness in his character (a weakness such as the overweening ambition of Macbeth, the uncontrolled jealousy of Othello or the excessive pride of Coriolanus.).

7. II. Background Information back Hamlet is among the most complex of Shakespeare’s tragic heroes and it is thus not easy to pinpoint one specific flaw which brought about his untimely death. But it would be true to say that he was a thinker involved in a dilemma which could only be resolved by a man of action. His inability to act swiftly & decisively in connection with his father’s murder brought havoc to the Danish court.

8. II. Background Information back Hamlet belongs to a genre of plays often called “revenge tragedies”. These were popular in Elizabethan England and in them a hero was called upon to punish an evildoer for a crime he had committed. Often in such plays therewas a ghost who could not rest until the person who had caused his death was killed. The ghost in Hamlet is thus a traditional figure whose role was to urge the hero to avenge an evil deed.

9. II. Background Information back 2. Soliloquy A soliloquy is a dramatic device which allows a character to reveal his thoughts to the audience but not to the other characters in the play. In Shakespeare’s time soliloquies were widely used. When an actor was alone on the stage he could speak aloud his thoughts, thus giving the audience clear insights into his character and his intentions.

10. II. Background Information back The soliloquy is used quite frequently in Hamlet. The Prince addresses the audience directly on six occasions (lst: in Act I, Scene2, 129-59 when he is oppressed by the problems surrounding him, his father’s death and his mother’s fickleness; 2nd: in Act II, Scene2, 522-80 when he contrasts his failure to respond to his father’s murder with the actor’s expression of grief for imaginary characters;

11. II. Background Information The soliloquy is used quite frequently in Hamlet. The Prince addresses the audience directly on six occasions The soliloquy is used quite frequently in Hamlet. The Prince addresses the audience directly on six occasions (lst: in Act I, Scene2, 129-59 when he is oppressed by the problems surrounding him, his father’s death and his mother’s fickleness; 2nd: in Act II, Scene2, 522-80 when he contrasts his failure to respond to his father’s murder with the actor’s expression of grief for imaginary characters; (lst: in Act I, Scene2, 129-59 when he is oppressed by the problems surrounding him, his father’s death and his mother’s fickleness; 2nd: in Act II, Scene2, 522-80 when he contrasts his failure to respond to his father’s murder with the actor’s expression of grief for imaginary characters; back back back

12. II. Background Information 6th: in Act IV, Scene 4, 32-66 he reveals his firm intention to take his vengeance at the earliest possible opportunity while at the same time he condemns his earlier inactivity. ) 6th: in Act IV, Scene 4, 32-66 he reveals his firm intention to take his vengeance at the earliest possible opportunity while at the same time he condemns his earlier inactivity. ) (cf. Monologue: more often than not, a poetical device, e.g. My Last Duchess by Robert Browning1812--1889). (cf. Monologue: more often than not, a poetical device, e.g. My Last Duchess by Robert Browning1812--1889). back back back

13. II. Background Information 3. Some of the Problems Troubling Hamlet: 3. Some of the Problems Troubling Hamlet: (1) His father was murdered by his uncle who has become the king of Denmark; (2) His mother was married to his uncle right after his father’s death; back back back

14. II. Background Information (3) The Ghost of his father urged him to seek revenge for his murder, but Hamlet was not quite sure that the ghost was his father’s spirit, for he feared it might have been a devil sent to torment him; (3) The Ghost of his father urged him to seek revenge for his murder, but Hamlet was not quite sure that the ghost was his father’s spirit, for he feared it might have been a devil sent to torment him; (4) His former friends Rosencrantz & Gildenstern were dispatched by the king to spy on him (A betrayal of friendship! As a humanist he attached great importance to friendship); (4) His former friends Rosencrantz & Gildenstern were dispatched by the king to spy on him (A betrayal of friendship! As a humanist he attached great importance to friendship);

15. II. Background Information (5) His girl friend Ophelia was sent as a tool to find out whether or not he was really mad(A betrayal of love!). (5) His girl friend Ophelia was sent as a tool to find out whether or not he was really mad(A betrayal of love!). One incident after another seems to reveal to him that the time is “out of joint”, and man is not good as he had imagined. One incident after another seems to reveal to him that the time is “out of joint”, and man is not good as he had imagined.

16. III. The Text home Hamlet, Prince of Denmark ACT III SCENE IA room in the castle Hamlet: To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,

17. V. Questions on the Soliloquy Direction: Here are some questions which aim to direct your attention to some of the important points in Hamlet`s troubled thoughts. You should try to answer all the questions in English. Direction: Here are some questions which aim to direct your attention to some of the important points in Hamlet`s troubled thoughts. You should try to answer all the questions in English. Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5 Question 6 Question 7 Question 1 Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5 Question 6 Question 7 Question 1Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5 Question 6 Question 7 Question 1Question 2 Question 3 Question 4 Question 5 Question 6 Question 7

18. V. Questions on the Soliloquy 1. How does Hamlet explain what is “to be” and what is “not to be”? Quote his own words, and then try to explain what was meant by the phrases. 1. How does Hamlet explain what is “to be” and what is “not to be”? Quote his own words, and then try to explain what was meant by the phrases. “To be” “To be” Your quote: Your quote: to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. to live by enduring the injustices and miseries of the life. to live by enduring the injustices and miseries of the life.

19. V. Questions on the Soliloquy “ Not To be ” “ Not To be ” Your quote: Your quote: to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them. to take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them. Your understanding: Your understanding: to fight against and end “ a sea of troubles ” at any cost (including, by taking his own life). to fight against and end “ a sea of troubles ” at any cost (including, by taking his own life).

20. V. Questions on the Soliloquy 2. “ `Tis a consummation devoutly to be wish`d. ” ---What is this ideal state, according to Hamlet? 2. “ `Tis a consummation devoutly to be wish`d. ” ---What is this ideal state, according to Hamlet? Your answer: Your answer: Hamlet longed to end all his sufferings, and death seemed a perfect solution. Hamlet longed to end all his sufferings, and death seemed a perfect solution.

21. V. Questions on the Soliloquy 3. What is death compared to ? What makes one hesitate to end the troubles of life by death ? 3. What is death compared to ? What makes one hesitate to end the troubles of life by death ? Your answer: Your answer: Death is compared to sleep. The thought of what dreams may come in that sleep of death makes one hesitate to end the troubles of life by death. Death is compared to sleep. The thought of what dreams may come in that sleep of death makes one hesitate to end the troubles of life by death.

22. V. Questions on the Soliloquy 4. “ There`s the respect that makes calamity of so long life ” ---What does the word “ respect ” mean here ? 4. “ There`s the respect that makes calamity of so long life ” ---What does the word “ respect ” mean here ? Your answer: Your answer: consideration. consideration.

23. V. Questions on the Soliloquy 5. What “ puzzles the will ” of death ? 5. What “ puzzles the will ” of death ? Your answer: Your answer: The dread of something after death. The dread of something after death.

24. V. Questions on the Soliloquy 6. What influence, according to Hamlet, do thoughts have upon resolution and action ? 6. What influence, according to Hamlet, do thoughts have upon resolution and action ? Your answer: Your answer: Too much thinking has weakened the resolution and delayed the action. Too much thinking has weakened the resolution and delayed the action.

25. V. Questions on the Soliloquy 7.(an essay question) What do you learn about Hamlet ’ s mental conflict and character through this soliloquy? 7.(an essay question) What do you learn about Hamlet ’ s mental conflict and character through this soliloquy? Reference Words: Reference Words: detached, reflective, analytic, moral, his thoughts, philosophical rather than practical, his concerns, the nature of things, his feelings, a deep sorrow over the injustice and vanity, melancholy, procrastination, commit suicide, cannot bear the social injustices and grievances, conscious of his own weakness, think too much

26. V. Questions on the Soliloquy In this soliloquy, Hamlet is detached, reflective, analytic and moral. His thoughts were philosophical rather than practical; his concerns were on the nature of things rather than any specific plans for actions; his feelings were of a deep sorrow over the injustice and vanity, “ a sea of troubles ” which brought pains into human life. His melancholy and procrastination are also revealed. Here he is pondering on the question of life and death. In this soliloquy, Hamlet is detached, reflective, analytic and moral. His thoughts were philosophical rather than practical; his concerns were on the nature of things rather than any specific plans for actions; his feelings were of a deep sorrow over the injustice and vanity, “ a sea of troubles ” which brought pains into human life. His melancholy and procrastination are also revealed. Here he is pondering on the question of life and death.

27. V. Questions on the Soliloquy He is thinking of committing suicide. But he hesitates for he doubts whether death can give him rest and peace. Besides, he is not sure whether the world of death would be better than this one. He gives the reasons why he wants to commit suicide. Apart from his personal revenge(He hasn`t mentioned it in this soliloquy), he cannot bear the social injustices and grievances. He is conscious of his own weakness of thinking too much which makes him dilatory, allowing many opportunities to slip away. He is thinking of committing suicide. But he hesitates for he doubts whether death can give him rest and peace. Besides, he is not sure whether the world of death would be better than this one. He gives the reasons why he wants to commit suicide. Apart from his personal revenge(He hasn`t mentioned it in this soliloquy), he cannot bear the social injustices and grievances. He is conscious of his own weakness of thinking too much which makes him dilatory, allowing many opportunities to slip away.

28. V. Questions on the Soliloquy VI. Written Work VI. Written Work Write a prose paraphrase of this soliloquy. Write a prose paraphrase of this soliloquy.

29. V. Questions on the Soliloquy