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Function Of Soliloquies In Hamlet

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The Functions of Soliloquies in Hamlet Soliloquies are a valued literary device used in many forms of literature, although most often seen in plays. Take the play Hamlet written by William Shakespeare for example. It withholds numerous soliloquies, they are key to giving out specific pieces of information that would not be spoken of through normal conversation. Soliloquies in the play also show the overall development of the characters. Most of those solus words show the fiery hatred that other characters share for one another, if not fear, guilt, or grief. Soliloquies enforce a rather significant function in this play, and all will be explained below. As a major source of character development, soliloquies will always show the change in a character’s values and their relationships with others. Whether the reason directs from a heart wrenching situation or the words from another character that affect another’s wellbeing , a soliloquy frequently shows a sudden change in mind if not the heart. For example, Hamlet grew angry with his mother when she married Claudius only two months after his father’s death. “A little month, or ere those shoes were old, with which she followed my poor father’s body, like Niobe, all tears-why she, even she (O God…Would have mourned longer!) married my uncle, my father’s brother” (Shakespeare 15). Hamlet’s words express the heartache he feels by his mother’s decisions, and it damages the mother and son relationship they have with one another.

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