Hamlet's soliloquies comprise an important portion of the reading. Discuss why they are important and what function they serve, based on your readings so far. Also, identify and discuss themes that were presented that do not appear on your pretest focus.
Hamlet's soliloquies are important because they provide insight into Hamlet's innermost thoughts and feelings about life, love, revenge, murder...etc. It's only during these speeches that we hear about any of those subjects because everything is very hush hush in Hamlet. The soliloquies enable Hamlet to speak freely, as opposed to when he is in the company of other characters and must keep secret his thoughts. The soliloquies tie in to a big theme that is used throughout the entire play: the theme of speaking the unspeakable. Hamlet never confronts Claudius to ask or accuse him (Claudius) of killing his father. Hamlet uses the players to act out the play that symbolizes Claudius murdering his (Hamlet's) father. This still isnt a direct use of words, though. It's after that performance that Claudius is suspicious that Hamlet knows of his big sin, but still, there is no exchange of words that express this suspicion. Things are kept very secret, very hush in Hamlet.
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