- It is obvious to the audience that Hamlet is alone onstage. What else, then, does he mean when he begins, "Now I am alone"?
I think that when he begins by saying that he is alone because as of that moment, Hamlet is alone in his actions and thoughts. Not only is he physically alone on stage, but emotionally alone, isolated from the others around him. - Why is the Prince calling himself a "rogue" and "peasant slave"?
He calls himself a rogue and peasant slave because he is no better than the actor who acts as if he is someone else. Hamlet, however, isn't even able to control his own true actions. - Hamlet compares himself to the player. What does this comparison reveal about Hamlet's self-perception?
The player/actor does his character's deeds with confidence and profession. However, although Hamlet perceives himself similar to the actor, he realizes that he isn't as confident as the player is. He feels ashamed for finding this part of him. Throughout the play, much violence is done to ears. How does Hamlet’s “cleave the general ear” relate to other “ear” references? Shakespeare uses the word ear twenty-seven times in this play. Do any of these resonate with you?
The whole reference to ears seems like a symbol of how Hamlet and others in this play hear others say things and have to decide whether or not it is the truth. When Hamlet says "cleave the general ear," I think it means not to hear things just as they are, but dig deeper into each word's meaning. Hamlet uses a lot of theatrical terminology in his speech. Find some examples (“cue,” “satage,” “play”). Why might Hamlet be thinking in theatrical terms?
Hamlet uses theatrical terminology like "story," "comedy," and "music." He might use terms like these because of his jealousy of the actor. He wants to be more like the player. Find lines or phrases that explain why Hamlet thinks himself a coward. Do you think he is a coward, or is he acting cautiously by looking for external evidence to prove Claudius’s guilt?
"Sir, I lack advancement."
I don't think he is a coward. I think he's trying to pull something out of Claudius that would touch the guilty side of Claudius because he seems to be fine even after the death King Hamlet.
Hamlet 2.2 Soliloquy
- It is obvious to the audience that Hamlet is alone onstage. What else, then, does he mean when he begins, "Now I am alone"?
I think that when he begins by saying that he is alone because as of that moment, Hamlet is alone in his actions and thoughts. Not only is he physically alone on stage, but emotionally alone, isolated from the others around him.
- Why is the Prince calling himself a "rogue" and "peasant slave"?
He calls himself a rogue and peasant slave because he is no better than the actor who acts as if he is someone else. Hamlet, however, isn't even able to control his own true actions.
- Hamlet compares himself to the player. What does this comparison reveal about Hamlet's self-perception?
The player/actor does his character's deeds with confidence and profession. However, although Hamlet perceives himself similar to the actor, he realizes that he isn't as confident as the player is. He feels ashamed for finding this part of him.
Throughout the play, much violence is done to ears. How does Hamlet’s “cleave the general ear” relate to other “ear” references? Shakespeare uses the word ear twenty-seven times in this play. Do any of these resonate with you?
The whole reference to ears seems like a symbol of how Hamlet and others in this play hear others say things and have to decide whether or not it is the truth. When Hamlet says "cleave the general ear," I think it means not to hear things just as they are, but dig deeper into each word's meaning.
Hamlet uses a lot of theatrical terminology in his speech. Find some examples (“cue,” “satage,” “play”). Why might Hamlet be thinking in theatrical terms?
Hamlet uses theatrical terminology like "story," "comedy," and "music." He might use terms like these because of his jealousy of the actor. He wants to be more like the player.
Find lines or phrases that explain why Hamlet thinks himself a coward. Do you think he is a coward, or is he acting cautiously by looking for external evidence to prove Claudius’s guilt?
"Sir, I lack advancement."
I don't think he is a coward. I think he's trying to pull something out of Claudius that would touch the guilty side of Claudius because he seems to be fine even after the death King Hamlet.