The nature of the soliloquy is differentiated from a monologue in that the other characters do not hear it; the character addresses himself explicitly and the audience implicitly. As opposed to other moments in the play, where other characters are around and Hamlet is constantly acting, the nature of the soliloquy seems to imply that he is revealing his inner thoughts and motivations. If so, then what are these? Hamlet seems to lament his lack of action, and the superiority of the actor. He appears to feel very strongly against this player, undermining the authenticity of their expression by asking, "[w]hat's Hecuba to him, or he to her, / That he should weep for her?" He moves on to insult himself, then comes up with a plan to indirectly accuse the king.
When we watch a play, we assume that the actors are the characters. It's simpler that way, if we erase the line that separates the real person from the fictional character, and suspend all disbelief. Shakespeare, through Hamlet, instead sharpens this line, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and paranoia. If the characters construct a play within the play as a trap, then how is the audience supposed to trust the whole play itself?
This soliloquy, on the surface, seems like a moment of decision, of certainty. Taken in the context of the rest of the play, however, that's almost hilarious. When is there ever certainty in this play? Hamlet is acting practically all the time; he pretends to be crazy to different people for different, often unclear purposes, putting on an act instead of taking action.
By framing Hamlet's decision to use a play as a trap with uncertainty and general Hamlet-style unpredictable craziness, Shakespeare undermines the suspension of disbelief inherent in the audience's approach to the play, challenging the very nature of the relationship between his characters and his audience, and ultimately their relationship to him.
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