The soliloquy begins with Hamlet’s reaction to the players’ performance of Hecuba. He is bewildered that the actor can create that much emotion for Hecuba even though it’s just a story: “What’s Hecuba to him, or he to her / That he should weep for her?” (2.2.497-498). Shakespeare has just the words “For Hecuba!” on one line which emphasizes Hamlet’s amazement in how real acting can seem. Hamlet, however, still creates a separation between him and the actors; he has the “motive and the cue for passion” (2.2.499). He sees the power of how stage acting can create reality for an audience: “Make mad the guilty and appall the free, / Confound the ignorant, and amaze indeed / The very faculties of eyes and ears” (2.2.502-504). The parallel structure stresses Hamlet’s belief in the influence of acting.
By placing “Yet I,” on a line by itself creates a break within the soliloquy and contrasts the actor with Hamlet. Hamlet lectures himself about his inability to do anything. There are seven questions in a row reflecting his uncertainty. Not only is he uncertain about his own actions, but the audience is uncertain if Hamlet, during this soliloquy, is still acting. Hamlet has been acting insane to the other characters throughout the play.
The voice used reflects his anger at himself: “Why, what an ass am I!” (2.2.521). Shakespeare uses colloquial terms throughout the soliloquy such as “John-a-dreams” and “pigeon-livered” to also describe Hamlet’s lack of action. The use of these words and Hamlet’s voice create theatricality.
The second dash after “Hum” (2.2.527) creates a break and shows a sudden realization for Hamlet to use the actors to “catch the conscience of the king” (2.2.544). Hamlet will use the power of acting to create a reality for Claudius. Hamlet believes that acting can become a foundation for reality.
As an audience, we know that acting is obviously not real; it is merely a portrayal of real life. But based on Hamlet, we can create reality with acting. The issue becomes when are people acting and when they are not and when reality is actually real. Since Hamlet acts crazy in front of other characters, we easily can see that as acting. But when Hamlet is delivering a soliloquy, we are uncertain of Hamlet’s authenticity.
Hi Irene! I really like the attention you gave to all the little details in the soliloquy, and how you micro-analyzed things such as dashes and line structure to prove your point. I love the point of "we can create reality with acting." I think your thesis could have been geared more towards this point to make it more concise and impactful. Can we really "easily see" that Hamlet is merely acting crazy in front of other characters?
ReplyDeleteAs per usual I really admire your appreciation of tenuous details in this soliloquy.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that acting isn't real, but do you feel that he considers himself a reflection of actors, considering that he doubts his own affections and considers the actors feel more than him?