Body 1: Hamlet in Private

When in private, Hamlet displays his corrupt thoughts brilliantly. His use of language in his soliloquys varies throughout the play from murky to perfectly clear. Before discovering how his father truly died, Hamlet’s speech is choppy and indecisive. “Like Niobe, all tears-why she, <even she>/ (O God…” (1.2.153-4). Hamlet does not allow himself to complete a sentence because of his immense despondency. Although he is speaking in jerky phrases, Hamlet is thinking clearly; he truly recognizes and acknowledges his sadness towards his mother’s hasty marriage and his father’s untimely death. However, later, he speaks clearly with misguided thoughts. For instance, after processing his conversation with the ghost of his father, Hamlet asks several questions.

            …Am I a coward?

Who calls me a “villain”? breaks my pate across?

Plucks off my beard and blows it in my face?

Tweaks me by the nose? Gives me the lie i’ th’ throat

As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this?

(2.2.598-602)

Hamlet is asking questions in very clear and logical sentences. However, he is coming to irrational conclusions in order to cope with the devastating news of his father’s death, and his mother’s speedy marriage. Furthermore, he is, through sharp diction, imagining wild events; for instance, he imagines someone plucking at his beard and blowing it in his face. Although, his language is straightforward, his thoughts are bizarre. Soon after, Hamlet is alone again, contemplating suicide. His feelings are so strong, that he feels like he needs to come up with a plan of action to deal with his feelings. Hamlet’s thoughts are clouded and reckless, but he displays his thoughts gracefully, and with understandable flow. This is another example of Hamlet having troubled thoughts, but displaying them in gentle, comprehendible language. After impulsively killing Polonius, Hamlet, in a soliloquy, declares that he will get his revenge. He is going insane, but is still able to formulate speeches that flow and clearly depict his thoughts. “My thoughts be bloody or be nothing worth!” (4.5.69). So, although he starts of with positive thoughts and vague language, Hamlet quickly switches to having psychotic thoughts, but presenting his thoughts with logical, direct language.