HAMLET’s SOLILOQUIES CLAUDIUS’S SOLILOQUIES

ACT I
The ghost appears very as early as 1.1.51. It is the main focus in act I and this is his third
apparition. Then Hamlet faces Gertrude and Claudius at Court. (+ political threat by young
Fortinbras). The king refuses to let him go (Laertes is allowed to go). Hamlet feels that
something goes wrong.
Though Hamlet still does not know about the ghost he delivers his first monologue in 1.2.129-
159. SOLILOQUY 1 + SOLILOQUY 2
(1.2.138) Hamlet Sr. died within two months (then he says twice “within one month. 145 &
153).
He follows the ghost in 1.4. and talks with it in 1.5.
After this encounter, Hamlet (already) knows what strategy he is going to use: SOLILOQUY
3 he will assume madness: “As I perchance hereafter shall think meet / To put an antic
disposition on –” (1.5.171-2) Hamlet goes as far as to imitate a madman’s wild speech
(1.5.173-180). This may be a funny scene though! It is jarring too to some extent: the
spectators may feel that this strategy is dangerous for his sanity: Hamlet may be standing on
“the dreadful summit of the cliff / That beetles o’er his base into the sea,” (1.4.70-1)
mentioned by Horatio.

TIME GAP

ACT II
Polonius sends Reynaldo to spy on and inquire about his son. He suggests some devious
strategy: Reynaldo may fish for the truth with a lie. Claudius asks Rosencrantz and
Guildenstern to inquire about Hamlet’s attitude. The political problems seem to be resolved
after the return of Voltemand and Cornelius in 2.2.61. Polonius thinks he has found out the
reason why Hamlet is so troubled: it has to do with his daughter. Then Hamlet turns up
reading a book. He meets Polonius, then the spies who announce the imminent arrival of
comedians. He welcomes them, recites the beginning of the tale of Aeneas to Dido (2.2.405)
and the player takes over. Hamlet’s strategy is hatched. SOLILOQUY 4

ACT III
Claudius and Polonius use Ophelia to entrap Hamlet. SOLILOQUY 1 / SOLILOQUY 5.
Hamlet will have the play performed at court.
Ophelia is “most deject and wretched” (3.1.149) at the sight of Hamlet.
Claudius begins to behave treacherously and to plot against Hamlet. He has a penetrating
mind, and he is the only one who can see through Hamlet’s disguise: “[His affectation…]
though it lacked form a little, / Was not like madness” (3.1.157-8). He proposes to put
Hamlet out of the way by sending him to England. (3.1.162-169) Polonius suggests Hamlet
should meet his mother before he leaves. (3.1.176-181)
SOLILOQUY 6
3.2 is THE performance scene. It is preceded by exchanges between Hamlet and Ophelia. She
says that Hamlet Sr. died 4 months before (“twice two months.”) after Hamlet said he had
died “within’s two hours (113) and before he says “two months ago.” (3.2.116)
After the performance Hamlet fools around with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern (the recorder
scene), then with Polonius (the clouds scene).
3.3. is the prayer scene (Claudius). SOLILOQUY 2
3.4. Hamlet visits Gertrude and kills Polonius.
The departure to England is imminent.

ACT IV (7 short scenes)

The murder of Polonius precipitates the departure of Hamlet to England.
4.1. 45 lines. Claudius is worried at Hamlet’s attitude.
4.2. 28 lines. The spies ask Hamlet for Polonius’s body.
4.3. 64 lines. Hamlet and Claudius about Polonius’s supper. Hamlet must die in England.
4.4. 66 lines. Hamlet catches sight of Fortinbras. SOLILOQUY 7
Hamlet is gone
4.5. 214 lines. Ophelia is mad. Claudius talks Laertes calm.
4.6. 28 lines. Horatio gets a letter from Hamlet.
4.7. 194 lines. Claudius’s and Laertes’s plot. Ophelia drowns.

TIME GAP

ACT V
5.1. 266 lines. The clowns (gravediggers)
5.2. 382 lines. Hamlet tells Horatio how he survived.
The final gathering… So many deaths… “The rest is silence”.