In Hamlet there are many soliloquies in which Hamlet reveals his inner thoughts. His inner conflict is expressed both in his first and his second soliloquies through detailing his depression and despair. Although there are similarities in both soliloquies, there are also some very meaningful differences which detail the character’s growth through the play. Through the mood of the soliloquies and the actions that Hamlet decides to take, the reader understands him better as he transforms.
Alike in both soliloquies, the mood of each begins as Hamlet is upset, detailing the turmoil that he feels. In the mood of the first soliloquy Hamlet is not taking initiative, and seems more content to beat up on himself rather than to do something about what has happened. “O, that this too too-solid flesh would melt, Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!” (1. 2. 129-130).
In this part of the scene, Hamlet is moping around which is quite contrary to the growing mood in the second soliloquy where he begins as a sad, conflicted person but grows to become enraged and believe that there has been a challenge from his uncle. “Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face? Tweaks me by the nose? Gives me the lie i’ the throat, As deep as to the lungs? Who does me this?” (2. 2. 569-571).
Through this we see a very large growth in the attitude of Hamlet. Cuff 2 In the mood of the scene Hamlet grows from being a peaceful to an angry person.
However the moment of difference which captures Hamlet from growing from a non assertive introvert, to a very assertive extra vert is where he begins to believe that he has been a coward. “A damn’d defeat was made. Am I a coward?” (2. 2.
567) Here Hamlet transforms from being someone who doesn’t really want to do take action, (1 st soliloquy) “But break, my heart, for I must hold my tongue!” (1. 2. 159) to someone decides to take action and capture the king in his own conscience (2 nd soliloquy) “More relative than this. The play’s the thing Wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king” (2.
2. 602-603).
Both of the decisions are however non-violent and are very carefully thought upon, which does not show much difference in how he thinks, but in how he acts. Hamlet is a conflicted character throughout the play, as he discovers things about the world around him and his own feelings, he grows as a character. The first two soliloquies carefully detail his growths and the consistencies while discussing his inner conflict. Coupled with the actions that Hamlet decides upon, the reader gains an understanding of Hamlets inner feelings..