Hamlet's Second Soliloquy Analysis
Often times life will present one with a situation where the best decision is to take action. In William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, Hamlet’s second soliloquy reveals Hamlet’s initial inability to take action due to his lack of courage.
Hamlet begins by stating that he has become a “rogue and peasant slave” to his grief. [2.2, 561] Hamlet has seen true passion in the players recount of Hecuba and now questions why he cannot have the same passion over his butchered father. Hamlet feels the power of his grief yet is unable to take action for it. Hamlet considers what the passionate player would do if he could feel Hamlet’s grief and the answer is unfathomable. Shakespeare’s use of hyperbole illuminates that the player’s reaction is unknown to
Hamlet begins by stating that he has become a “rogue and peasant slave” to his grief. [2.2, 561] Hamlet has seen true passion in the players recount of Hecuba and now questions why he cannot have the same passion over his butchered father. Hamlet feels the power of his grief yet is unable to take action for it. Hamlet considers what the passionate player would do if he could feel Hamlet’s grief and the answer is unfathomable. Shakespeare’s use of hyperbole illuminates that the player’s reaction is unknown to