Hamlet: Through the Looking Glass

     Hamlet is one of the most complicated characters that Shakespeare ever created. His character has lots of layers and he is filled with emotions including grief and confusion. Though what makes Hamlet so complex, is his intelligence. He uses his mind to take on the persona of a trickster but it often causes him to over think situations which leads to a lack of action. Hamlet's most controversial soliloquy in the play is the "To be, or not to be" speech (III.1.56-89). Many have argued over his awareness of being watched.

     It is apparent throughout this famous speech that Hamlet is aware that he is being spied on. Previous events could have helped him clue in. For example, he had been spied on before by his former friends, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. After a forced confession in Act 2, he discovered that The King had hired them for the job. Hamlet would not just let this betrayal slip his mind. Also, it seemed suspicious that it was The King called upon Hamlet, yet when he met somebody in the foyer, it was Ophelia. This was even more shocking because Ophelia had been ignoring and avoiding him recently and then she had just conveniently shown up alone where Hamlet was. Since Hamlet is portrayed by Shakespeare to be so intelligent, it is normal to assume that he should have picked up on some of these suspicious coincidences.

     Throughout the play, Hamlet puts on acts of different personalities to everyone. The only time he is truthfully acting as himself is when he is with Horatio, his best friend. It would therefore be odd that Hamlet would speak all of his true feelings out loud in the middle of the castle, where virtually anybody could hear him. Knowing the complexity of his previous schemes, this would be a simple-minded way to ruin all of his plans. This is especially true considering he is aware of The King's interest in him from the previous incident with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.

     In the soliloquy, Hamlet talks in depth about suicide. This can be perceived by the audience many ways. When Hamlet speaks of this, he seems to be speaking directly to Claudius. He says that suicide would "take arms against a sea of troubles/ And by opposing end them" (III.i.59-60). This line could be Hamlet trying to persuade Claudius to kill himself. He is explaining how ending his life could also put an end to any suffering that Claudius may face in the near future, a possible threat from Hamlet. Another threat is revealed when Hamlet speaks of "the whips and scorns of time" (III.i.70). He could also be referring to the possible guilt that The King will eventually face. The idea of Hamlet trying to convince Claudius to kill himself is completely plausible because it would be the perfect revenge for his father. Since suicide is the ultimate sin, Claudius would be guaranteed a ticket for hell. That is why Hamlet tried to make suicide sound like a reasonable choice in his speech.

     Hamlet contradicts himself many times in his soliloquy. It makes it very difficult to uncover Hamlet's true thoughts, which may be his ultimate plan. Since Hamlet knows that he is being surveyed, he talks of suicide and uses confusion to further convince the spies of his madness. This could further Claudius' fear of Hamlet because he is aware of what he knows now, and he could still think that he is crazy. Hamlet is clever to use this contradicting manor in his speech.

     Another reason that supports his awareness of the others in the room is his delivery of the speech. If Hamlet truly thought he was alone he would have been freaking out and very anxious. Since he knows people are watching, he acts very calm when speaking, hoping to frighten Claudius with his confidence. This is proven because in the speech, he does not yell or scream, as there is no punctuation in the lines. Also, in the movie, the character of Hamlet is played by Kenneth Branagh, and he acts very calm and collected. This proves that he is not nervous, and may be putting on another act for his audience of Claudius and Polonius.

     When Hamlet sees Ophelia, he says, "Soft you now,/ The fair Ophelia!" (III.i.88-89). He immediately stops what he is saying and quickly greets her. A reasoning behind this abrupt change may be because he knows The King is watching, and so he does not want him to see him let Ophelia in on any of his thoughts. He wants to keep her protected. This may also be why he is so harsh on her in their following conversation. Hamlet knows that The King is watching, so ending any relationship with Ophelia and showing how little he cares for her in front of Claudius and her father will keep her safe from The King in the future. Also, Hamlet hints that he knows exactly where Claudius is when he asks Ophelia, "Where is your father?" (III.i.130-131). This line is most likely present to let the audience know that Hamlet is aware of Claudius' whereabouts.

     All of these pieces present in Hamlet's speech prove that he is intelligent enough to know that Claudius and Polonius are present in the room. Shakespeare created this soliloquy so it could be directed directly at Claudius, and possibly foreshadow his futuristic death.


RE: Becky
I agree with your position on Hamlet's awareness. I also believe that he knows The King is watching him. I did not catch the correlation you made between the ghost's lines in act 1 and the line from Hamlet's soliloquy, but I agree that they relate. I also think that we can prove that his speech is directed at Claudius because in the movie, Hamlet's character points a dagger right at Claudius through a one way mirror, which could signal that he knows he is behind there, and is giving him a warning.

I also agree with your paragraph about Hamlet trying to protect Ophelia. I touched on that in one of my paragraphs, but I did not mention the nunnery as you did. I think it was risky for Hamlet to say the things about going to a nunnery and not believing him, because Claudius could have caught on to these tricks. In my opinion, that could have been a lethal mistake made by Hamlet, because if his true feelings were discovered, it could have put Ophelia in danger.

   

Why, what a surprise this was not, Claudius

The audience becomes aware of Hamlet’s trickery and his quick witted mind from early on in the play, as is shown in his conversation with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in I.ii where he figures out that the two were sent to be spies on him and Hamlet also knew right away that they were sent by his Uncle. Hamlet’s skills also show in I.v, right after conversing with the ghost, when he speaks to Horatio and Marcellus and tell them not to let on that they might know something about Hamlet if he ends up acting odd, a plan already formulating in his fast paced mind. If the fast thinking mind that Hamlet has is taken into consideration, it makes more sense to believe that Hamlet is at least suspicious that he is never truly alone anymore. Since he was also called forth by Claudius, it would seem highly unlikely that he would even think that he is alone or for him to expect that there would be no one in the place that he was called to.

Another indication that presents the idea that Hamlet suspects that he is not alone while he performs his soliloquy is the way he presents and speaks his words. As seen in I.ii during Hamlet’s first soliloquy, Hamlet seems to speak with more emotion, and the many comparisons that he uses, he says as though they were a thought that just entered into his head and so he goes with it. During his “to be or not to be” soliloquy, it seems appears to be more thought out, and there seems to be less wandering with his thoughts as it flows more compared to his other soliloquies which often had sudden stops to quickly speak of something else and then lead back to where he leaves off. Throughout his soliloquy, Hamlet also speaks in a much more calm manner, as though he is in complete control of his emotions, but by his past soliloquies and his later confrontation with his mother, Hamlet is still emotionally unstable and when he speaks about a matter, he speaks with more passion and force, but as he contemplates life and death, he is uncharacteristically calm and passive, as though he is ready to simply accept and watch whatever fate will fall upon him and others. If he was actually ready to accept any sort of fate for him and anyone, then would he have tried so hard in his conversation with Ophelia to send her away and tell her “get thee to a nunnery”(III.i.121)? Would he also have tried to make his mother see her wrongdoings and try to be so forceful in trying to make her repent for her sins?

If Hamlet really thought that he was alone, chances are that he would not have even voiced such thoughts out loud in the open space where just anyone could be wandering around and could happen upon his supposed to be private and personal thoughts. Even though the same thing could be said about any character ever giving a soliloquy, in Hamlet’s case, he only ever presented a soliloquy once everyone had left him alone, and with naught but himself and his own thoughts, and Hamlet would rejoice and be relieved to finally achieve being alone when he is left alone (II.ii.543).

Hamlet having suspicions about not being alone, causes me to believe that this soliloquy is to showcase more confusion as to whether or not he is going crazy and to cause more confusion to Claudius, so that it becomes impossible to know what in the world Hamlet is really thinking. Maybe Hamlet’s goal is even to drive Claudius into a corner to be unable to decipher the trickster mind that is Hamlet, and cause him to go slightly nuts.

RE: Rachel Labonte

As always your points are wonderful and I agree fully with your view. The remark on Hamlet’s punctuation is something certainly worth noting, and I commend you on even thinking about such a small detail. The point you made about Hamlet actually directing his speech to Claudius is also very genius! It is an interesting and unique idea that I have never encountered, or even came close to thinking about. As Jessie pointed out, it certainly comes close to the idea of the movie Inception, and the idea of planting a thought in someone’s mind, and slowly trying to take control in that method.

I am also reminded of the novel Fahrenheit 451, where the constant buzzing of messages become implanted into the brain with constant reminders and thoughts.

To Be Aware Or Not To Be

Throughout the play thus far, Hamlet has been identified as a brilliant trickster who toys with others’ emotions and perspectives. This observation can be further supported by Hamlet’s words in the last couple lines of the first Act. He says, “How strange or odd some’er I bear myself- As I perchance hereafter shall think meet To put an antic disposition on-” (I.v.178-80). From this point onwards, it is very clear that Hamlet has every intention of manipulating others and outwitting them with his intelligence. This is why I believe Hamlet knew that both Claudius and Polonius were listening to him while he spoke to ‘himself’.

From the beginning, Hamlet has been scheming against the King and is undoubtedly vastly more imaginative than Claudius. Hamlet had planned to act crazy in front of the others and there is no possible way he could have failed to assume the others would plot back against him. He surely would have known this was a set-up, especially if it were executed by the not-so-rational Polonius. Furthermore, it is curious that Hamlet would absent-mindedly enter the scene in Act 2 just as Polonius had finished explaining his plan to set up and spy on the Prince. It is questionable that Hamlet could be ahead in the game. Perhaps he was just eavesdropping on Polonius’ and Claudius’ conversation himself. This theory’s proof is heightened when Hamlet just so happens to bring up Ophelia to Polonius in the beginning of their conversation. Hamlet asks, “For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a good kissing carrion- Have you a daughter?” (II.ii.181-82). It would be far too coincidental of Hamlet to bring up Ophelia out of the blue considering there is no evidence thus far in the play to support that Hamlet has feelings for Ophelia or even thinks about her regularly. Lastly, during Hamlet’s conversation with Ophelia, he is crazed and lacks the impression of sincerity. At first he says, “I did love you once” (III.i.115) but then directly afterwards, continues to say, “You should not have believed me; for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not” (III.i.117-19). Therefore, which of the two statements is true? Hamlet proceeds to ask Ophelia where her father is and when she replies that he is at home, Hamlet calls Polonius a fool and becomes extremely angry and genuinely crazed. It is evident at this moment, that he is either extremely suspicious or he is aware that Ophelia is lying to him. You cannot fool a trickster.

So, if Hamlet knew that he was being spied on, then what did his speech truly mean? In the dialogue, Hamlet did not once refer to himself. He was discussing the option of suicide but did not state that he wanted to die or the reasons for which he would want to commit. It was not a personal reflection, but more of a vague generalization which is why I believe he was acting for the King and Polonius. Hamlet suggests, “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all, And thus the native hue of resolution Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought” (III.i.83-5). This entire speech and quotation especially seem to be directed at the King. Hamlet is set on the fact that Claudius killed Hamlet Sr. which is why during his time of opportunity, the Prince engages in blunt, yet ambiguous comments towards the King. Again, he is trying to get inside the mind of the king and perhaps give off the idea that he may already know but then again, it could all just be a coincidence. Hamlet is always thinking and can never make a decision but listening to how his mind works is confusing enough to throw anyone off their game. If Claudius thinks that Hamlet knows about his doings, then Claudius will assuredly be put into a state of panic and disorientation. The rest of Hamlet’s conversation with Ophelia could have been an act directed towards Polonius to indirectly, but directly, tell him he is a pretentious idiot.

@ Abby Flett I agree with almost everything you've brought up and argued, especially your points explaining why Hamlet evidently knows he is being watched. We almost have all the same points which is totally coincidental, I swear (but not really because they're good points). But I definitely don't think Hamlet loves Ophelia anymore and I question if he ever did... He did write her a love letter but it could have been lust in the beginning (I don't know how long they've known each other). But I think now that he has realized that Polonius set him up, he has to know that Ophelia was ignoring him and telling her father about his actions etc. He was telling her to go to a nunnery (calling her a hoe) and trying to confuse her by saying one thing and then directly afterwards, saying something to conflict with what he just said! I think he is angry that Ophelia would betray him and lie to him and thinks of her as her thinks of Polonius at this point... Again, agreeing with what Jesse said previously! But awesome points :)

You've Got Your Eyes On Me

Charlene Rhemtulla  Wednesday, March 26, 2014

#hamletknowswhatyouaredoinginthecourtyard #cladiusistheworstspyever #mygrandmacouldspybetter

Throughout the play Hamlet, the main character (whose name should be very obvious due to the fact that it’s the title of the play), Hamlet, develops characteristics that lead us to believe that he is quite the expert at tricking people to achieve what he wants. At most times in the play one can understand what he is doing and why he is doing that, but there are points in the play where it is easy to get confused. One of these moments is when Hamlet is performing his famous “To Be Or Not to Be” soliloquy (III.ii.56-90). In my opinion, I think that Hamlet most definitely knew that he was being watched and that everything he said was meant to be heard by Claudius and Polonius to further help his plan.    

As an audience it is hard to decide whether or not Hamlet organized the speech because he knows he is being watched by Polonius and the King or if he is just saying the speech as the emotions come to his mind. If you take a look at the speech, it seems like it is  said to aid him with his plan, meaning that he knows he is being watched. “To be or not to be, that is the question.” says Hamlet. In this line we see that Hamlet is contemplating whether or not it is worth the time and effort to live. If Claudius were listening he would automatically feel that Hamlet is becoming sadder and closer to the choice of suicide, which is exactly what Hamlet wants him to believe. This speech is literally Hamlet showing emotions that would make him seem crazy and suicidal, which is exactly what he is trying to get Claudius to believe. However; assuming that Hamlet wishes to kill only himself is not the only way to look at what he is saying. One can also interpret that Hamlet is saying that he wishes to murder someone. Hamlet says,
“For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
Th' oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,
The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of th' unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? (III.i.70-76)

What he is saying here is that why put up with all of the bad things around us, such as rude and ignorant people who think they are better than you or hurt you, when you could just end everything with anything that is good enough to stab with? Going further you can either assume that he is talking about killing himself or killing everyone that causes the problem. If you were to interpret it like the latter, account for the fact that we know that Claudius has hurt Hamlet, and consider the fact that Hamlet might actually know that he is being watched by Claudius it would be Hamlet’s way of saying “haha got you” right in Claudius’ face in the sense that he is literally foreshadowing that he is going to kill Claudius (sucks to suck for him I guess).  

Throughout the play Hamlet does many things that make him a trickster that is a few steps ahead of everyone, so it would be no surprise that he is smart enough to knows that he is being watched. For example, during his first soliloquy Hamlet says, 
"With most miraculous organ. I'll have these players
Play something like the murder of my father
Before my uncle. I'll observe his looks;
I'll tent him to the quick. If'a do blench
I know my course." (II.ii.581-585)
This means that Hamlet is devising a plan to find out to make sure Claudius killed his father by putting on a play that reenacts the death of his father and seeing how Claudius reacts to it. The fact that he wants to make sure that Claudius is the actual murdered of his father shows us that he thinks about every step he does to make sure it will only help, not hurt, his plan. Hamlet thinking about every action carefully indicates that everything he says and does will relate back to the bigger plan. had he not known that Claudius and Polonius were watching he might not have acted they way he did because it would not matter to hims as much because it would not change anything about his plan for revenge.

Post-soliloquy, Ophelia arrives to see Hamlet just as planned by Claudius and Polonius. By observing how Hamlet speaks to Ophelia in this scene and the relationship between the two of them it gives us a better idea as to whether or not Hamlet knows he is being watched. Hamlet says to Ophelia, “You should not have believed me; for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not.” (III.i.117-119). In this quotation Hamlet is saying that he does not love her at all and that he never actually did in the first place. If one were to quickly look at what he is saying they would say that he does not want anything to do with her anymore. But if you look deeper, the fact that he is claiming this is very weird because we see moments before and after this conversation that he actually does like her. For example, during the play Mousetrap, he flirts with her openly saying things like “Lady shall I lie in your lap?” (III.ii.107). It seems like he is saying that he does not love Ophelia in this scene to protect from Claudius because if Claudius knows that Hamlet is in love with Ophelia he could do something to hurt her. It just does not make sense for a person to seem so in love with someone, and then suddenly just stop so quickly.

After looking at all the evidence from the play and the "To Be Or Not to Be" soliloquy (III.ii.56-90), such as the emotions found in the soliloquy, how he interacts with Ophelia, and his trickster personality I think it is safe to say that Hamlet did indeed know that he was being watched. 

RE: Mitchell Mason

Whoa! When you made that connection between the lines “To die, to sleep, / No more-and by a sleep to say we end / The heartache and the thousand natural shocks/That flesh is heir to—’tis a consummation/Devoutly to be wished!”(III.i.61-65) and Claudius killing Hamlet Senior that blew my mind. Although it is a good observation I think you’ve read into the text too much (SO DEEP YOU’RE ALMOST IN CHINA). I do agree with the fact that Hamlet knew he was being watched while, but I feel like this this observation is too good to be true and a bit too specific. I believe that this quotation does lean more to fact that Hamlet is trying to convince Claudius that he is acting crazy.

RE: Connor Kucharic

I really liked how you mentioned that Hamlet would be getting vibes that someone is watching him. It's almost like the feeling you get when watching scary movies, such as the Scream series, because you just get that sense that you know someone is there and you are usually bang on with that thought! I also really liked the point you made about how weird it was for Ophelia to just randomly have the love letters from Hamlet on hand. It is possible that she is just that obsessed with him (I mean it is Shakespeare, a lot of crazy things happen), but I think makes a lot more the way you explained it.

*Duly note that anything that has been italicized is there for amusement of course and not actually part of my points… maybe

Hamlet Mat Not Be Jesus But He Still Sees (Pretty Much) Everything

From the first line Hamlet utters in Shakespeare’s eponymous play is an indication to the trickster that Hamlet will progressively become over the course of the play. The first time Hamlet is introduced, is by Claudius, when he introduces Hamlet as his son. Hamlet replies with “A little more than kin, and less than kind.” (Act I Scene ii 65). This line is a sassy response to Claudius referring to Hamlet as his son, and immediately gives us the impression that Hamlet is a little bit of a trickster, and has an attitude. It also immediately shows the tension between the two characters, and gives a good indication of who conflict might arise between, and the wit of each character. We learn here that Hamlet really has a good understanding of most situations, because he can recognize what is happening between Claudius and Gertie. Basically what I'm trying to say is he's not dumb, Hamlet has a very good understanding of what goes on.

Hamlet is a smart guy, and has previously been able to sense someone else watching him. Hamlet knew in Act II, that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were spying on him. He is very sharp and able to identify when he has been put in a trap. Hamlet says to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, “Were you not sent for?”(Act II Scene ii 270). Hamlet is able to identify that he is being spied on, and is able to eventually manipulate Rosencrantz and Guildenstern into telling them why they were sent (they were sent to see if he really is mad). Hamlet tells Rosencrantz and Guildenstern "I am but mad north-north-west. When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw." (Act II Scene ii 378-379). Hamlet is telling Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, that he knows when he is being watched, and he can tell if someone's a phony or not. Where we really see this progress further is in Act III, during Hamlet’s oh so famous ‘To Be or Not To Be’ speech. Prior to his soliloquy, Hamlet is asked by the same people who have previously led him into a trap, to make his way to the courtyard and spend some time there. Having been previously deceived by these two before, Hamlet knows he should be smart about any business with them, and should be expected to anticipate they will be disloyal.

Other obvious signs that Hamlet knows he is being watched are evident when Hamlet says “Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,” (Act III Scene i 83). This statement could very well be a stab at his mother, or at Claudius, and their incestuous relationship. Hamlet seems to be explaining how he himself has become a coward, as he has also previously referred to himself as one during his soliloquy in Act II Scene ii. The accusation of cowering behind our conscience is one that Hamlet has been victim of, but this could also be Hamlet taking a stab at the relationship between Claudius and Gertrude. Hamlet does not just say this would make a coward of himself, but of “us all”, further proving his line might have further connection to another character and not just himself. It could very well mean that Claudius and Polonius are the real cowards, afraid of confrontation, or that Claudius and Gertie are the cowards, being afraid of admitting the murder.

Additionally, Hamlet also mentions the unknown things that lie in the afterlife. He says "But that the dread of something after death, The undiscover'd country..." (Act III Scene i 78-79). The thing about this line is that Hamlet partially knows what happens in the afterlife. He has an idea, and it isn't completely undiscovered to him. Having been visited on several occasions by the ghost of his own father, he knows what could happen to him when he dies. This isn't totally unknown, yet Hamlet mentions nothing about his fears of the afterlife, or his fears of ending up where his father is. The lack of expression on the subject that is the only thought occupying his mind (don't forget that Hamlet promised to erase his mind of all thought besides his father's wish) is very odd for someone who knew they were alone. But that's exactly it, Hamlet holds back from expressing his desires not to end up like his father because he does not want Claudius to overhear that Hamlet has had interactions with his (dead) father. Hamlet must've known that Claudius was watching him, because while spending time talking about the afterlife, he paid careful attention to not mention his father, and the suffering that he is in.

Finally, we can also use the knowledge from Oedipus Rex that someone who is blind can see, or sense things that others cannot. Now yes, Hamlet is not blind, but he had previously blinded his mind from any thoughts besides that of his fathers intentions. Allow me to explain. When Hamlet says "from the table of my memory I'll wipe away all trivial fond records,..." (Act I Scene V 98-99), he makes a promise to Claudius that from this moment forward, nothing besides the thought of revenge will be in his mind. Hamlet essentially promises that he will, dare I say, blind, himself from all other events around him, and focus on the plan for revenge on Claudius. This commitment may give Hamlet the ability to see things around him that he might not have otherwise noticed. I'm not talking spiritual powers here or any of that stuff, but what I'm saying is that Hamlet's mind would only be focused on revenge on Claudius, and would constantly be analyzing every action he makes, instead of having his mind on chicken nuggets or something. In this situation, I am certain that following the rules given in Oedipus Rex, or the film "The Village", the character who is blind, whether by choice or by physical disability, has the ability to sense things that someone who is easily distracted might not. 
This being said, I think that it is completely obviously that Hamlet knows that he is being watched. Between his ability to understand complicated situations, his previous experience with Rozencrantz and Guildenstern's attempt at spying, his mid soliloquy stabs at the parties witnessing his speech, the lies he tells about the 'undiscovered afterlife', as well as the blindness Hamlet has given himself, it is crystal clear that Hamlet knows he is being watched.

RE: Jessie

I totally understand where you're coming from, and I like that I can see the other side of the argument. You made some very convincing arguments, and though I am on the other side here, I do slightly agree. The only thing I would argue with you about is what you said that if Hamlet was acting, it would've taken away from the scene. I disagree with you because although he has previously stated he was unable to portray his emotions, he has become really fond of the players, and seems passionate about how they portray things. Hamlet even lectures the players before they perform, making sure they're not too subtle, or not too obvious. Hamlet is a man who knows what he wants, and I'm sure he would be able to deliver. Also remember that Hamlet has had a lot of time to think about how he feels in this situation. In Act I when he promises the ghost to have his mind only on this, it has probably become progressively overwhelming, and emotions he was not able to earlier express have probably surfaced, and might even be clawing away inside of him. I feel like Hamlet would be able to channel these emotions into something he would be proud of, as he has set the same expectations for his players.

Heidi Stricko

A TRICKSTER IS NOT SO EASILY TRICKED

Chase Robitaille-Dombrowski


In Act III Scene i, Hamlet gives what is considered to be one of his most recognizable speeches and one of the most famous soliloquies out there. During this part in the play, the audience can perceive what is currently transpiring in one of two ways. Hamlet is either fully aware that he is being set up by Claudius and being watched, and therefore he is just putting on an act, or that he is completely caught up in emotion and is none the wiser to Claudius’ plan. I believe that Hamlet is aware that he is being watched during this famous “To  be or not to be” soliloquy because he is smart, and he was able to determine that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sent on behalf of Claudius to monitor him. It is almost too obvious this time because Hamlet already knows that Claudius is suspicious of him, and Claudius is nowhere to be found after he had just sent for him “we have closely sent for Hamlet hither” (III.i.29). I  can’t see how Hamlet could not know that something isn't right and that he is being watched.

Evidence in the soliloquy that helps prove that Hamlet is aware that he is being watched is the considerable lack of emotion it contains when compared to his previous soliloquies. Hamlet is yelling at himself in his second soliloquy “Must like a whore unpack my heart with words and fall a-cursing like a very drab, a scullion! Fie upon’t! Foh!” (II.ii.572-574) and scorns his mother in his first soliloquy “She married-O most wicked speed! To post with such dexterity to incestuous sheets!” (I.ii.156-157). In both Hamlet’s first and second soliloquies, he is able to  display much emotion and frustration when he is alone, however this emotion and frustration is not found in his third soliloquy, further leading me to believe that Hamlet is aware that he is not alone.

More evidence that supports the notion that Hamlet does infact know he is secretly being watched can be seen during Hamlet’s tirade against Ophelia. He asks her “Where’s your father?” (III.i.130). To some, this may appear as if Hamlet doesn't know that Claudius and or Polonius are eavesdropping on him, but there is an instance earlier in the play where Hamlet uses Socratic irony. In Act II Scene ii, Hamlet is met by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. During their conversation, Hamlet asks them “what make you at Elsinore?” (II.ii.266), however he already knows full well why they were there and their true intentions, as evidenced when he actually explains why for them. I see this situation as very similar to what is currently going on, and that he already knows Polonius is there listening to them (along with Claudius), he just wants to test Ophelia to see what she would say. It could also be a way to make sure that Claudius and Polonius keep believing that they have Hamlet fooled.

       Now, under the assumption that Hamlet is aware of Claudius and Polonius, we can interpret the meaning of Hamlet’s words accordingly. The actual soliloquy is filed with things that could be traced to Claudius and his actions. Hamlet talks about death and sleep “To die-to sleep, no more;” (III.i.60-61). Here, Hamlet could be talking about how his father was killed in his sleep, trying to conjure up guilt in Claudius before the big “Mousetrap” play. Hamlet also unleashes a flurry of insults on Ophelia, but there is evidence in his words that suggest Hamlet doesn't really mean what he is saying. He hints at this by saying “You should not have believed me;” (III.i.117) and “believe none of us” (III.i.129). If Hamlet doesn't mean all these horrid things that he is saying, then why is he saying them? Well, I think that he may still have feelings for her despite the fact that she was ignoring him upon her father’s wishes and is now helping Claudius to spy on him (much like how Hamlet’s father still loves Gertrude, despite all of her betrayals), and he could be trying to show Claudius and Polonius that he is not involved with Ophelia, so that if he gets caught or fails at trying to kill Claudius and shit hits the fan, there will be no suspicion as to whether or not she was involved in any way, thus keeping her out of harms way.

       Upon examining Hamlet as a character, previous events in the play, and the dialogue in the scene at hand, I believe Hamlet is fully aware that he is being played and that he is being watched.



RE: Mitch

I fully agree with you that Hamlet is aware of Claudius' presence. I found it very interesting how you suggested that Hamlet is subtly telling Claudius to commit suicide. At first I thought that Hamlet was just trying to make Claudius feel guilt by mentioning things related to the death of Hamlet Sr., but upon further examination I agree that he could also be trying to get Claudius to consider suicide. It would certainly make Hamlet's job easier if Claudius dies while committing the ultimate sin, and Hamlet doesn't have to lift a finger.

RE: Suryna

You said that if the speech was just an act, it would lose most of its meaning, however I believe that even if it was just an act, it holds significant meaning to the play and to shaping Hamlet as an intelligent trickster. Think about it, what does it say about Hamlet's character if he is able to come up with such a speech out of the blue designed to trick Claudius? I also believe that Hamlet had enough time to vent and think about things during his second soliloquy which I believe occurred not too long before this one.

To see, or not to see?

To see, or not to see?

Hamlet is clever in so many ways, such that it is hard to get anything past him.  Hamlet fools his friends, family and foes to help him in the success of his plan for revenge on his father.  His cleverness also makes it difficult for his audience to understand him and what his intentions are.  He keeps on changing his mind and attitude towards Ophelia and eventually we get to the famous “To be, or not to be?” speech where Hamlet cannot make up his mind on whether it is best to live or be dead.  During this speech, Polonius and Claudius are listening to Hamlet’s every word and later, his conversation with Ophelia.  Since Hamlet’s actions are hard to follow and he is always changing his mind, as an audience it is difficult to decide if Hamlet knows he is being watched or not, for the duration of this speech.  Older opinions would say that Hamlet thinks he is alone when performing this speech however, there is also evidence to prove that he knew Polonius and Claudius were watching him.  

I however, agree with both ideas in a way.  I believe that Hamlet thought he was alone during the speech however, he came to realize he was being watched as soon as he asked Ophelia, “Where’s your father?” (III.i.130-131).  First of all, we already know that Hamlet is a clever man so he is always thinking ahead and in this case, he is suspecting that he might have someone watching him either directly, or a spy for the king.  We also know from previous encounters that Hamlet doesn’t care about or respect Polonius when he mocks him saying “You are a fishmonger” (II.ii.174) and by referring to Polonius as a “...tedious old fool…” (II.ii.219).  If Hamlet has this lack of respect for Polonius, then why on earth would he care about the whereabouts of him?  Hamlet obviously had suspicions about Polonius sneaking around.  Now that Hamlet has asked what I think was a rhetorical question, he knows from this point on that he is being watched.  

On the other side of the argument, I also would agree that Hamlet did not know he was being watched for the duration of his soliloquy in this scene.  Hamlet performs this soliloquy before the players have acted out his “mousetrap play”, which means that Hamlet does not know at this point in the play whether the ghost of Hamlet Sr. was real or not.  Since Hamlet loved his father so much and is also a very clever man, he would not do anything that would jeopardize his revenge plan in the slightest bit.  During this soliloquy, Hamlet says “...to take arms against a sea of troubles. And by opposing end them. To die…When he himself might his quietus make with a bare bodkin?” (III.i.59-76).  If Hamlet wanted his plan to work, he would not say anything that could be interpreted in the slightest about him killing another man.  Hamlet questions himself combatting all the troubles in his life and ending them all by settling his “final battle”.  Hamlet took all this time to make sure his plan would work correctly and that he would pay back Claudius with such a terrible punishment that Hamlet would not just give up any hints about it knowingly.

Hamlet only came to realize he was being watched after the soliloquy passed and this is also evident after Hamlet asked Ophelia the whereabouts of Polonius.  Immediately after Ophelia tells Hamlet that Polonius is at home he responds with “Let the doors be shut upon him, that he may play the fool nowhere but in’s own house” (III.i.133-134).  This is different because Hamlet has never called Polonius a fool in front of Ophelia, which makes it feel like Hamlet knows Polonius is there and is mocking him even now.  Hamlet also keeps on nagging Ophelia, “Get thee to a nunnery” (III.i.121) about five times which makes it seem as if he is talking directly to Polonius by giving him advice.  We have already seen Hamlet trying to encourage Polonius to protect Ophelia before when he says “Let [Ophelia] not walk i’th’ sun” (II.ii.184).  Although a debate on Hamlet’s feelings for Ophelia could last paragraphs more, we can see that Hamlet is encouraging Polonius to protect Ophelia.

Whether Hamlet knew that he was being watched or not, could change the entire meaning of the soliloquy so it is most important to dig deep into this part of the play to find out the truth.  Hamlet spoke his soliloquy unknowingly of any spies, but later came to brilliant conclusions that he must have been being watched either by spies, or the king and Polonius themselves.  Does Hamlet see right through Ophelia’s lies about Polonius’ whereabouts, or is he oblivious to it all?

RE: Keeana

I agree with your opinions for the most part.  I really like how you incorporated Hamlets emotions into all of the soliloquies and related them to this one in particular and why it is different from the first two.  There are so many emotions to consider and so many ways they can affect the meanings and outcomes from this speech.  I also used the “bare bodkin” quotation in my post so I can easily agree with your point about Hamlet sending a message to Claudius there even though I did not entirely agree with the fact that Hamlet could see Claudius during the soliloquy.  Even though I used that quotation for a completely different purpose, I like your idea and it is almost making me want to change opinions again!

Can You Really Trick a Master Trickster?

Is he being watched or isn’t he? That’s the real question here. During the most famous Shakespearean soliloquy, we ask ourselves does Hamlet know he’s being watched or does he believe he’s truly alone. Hamlet, as we know, is a trickster who knows how to put on an act and how to manipulate people. He’s a clever man and uses that to his advantage so I believe that Hamlet does in fact know that he is being watched.

As we have seen before, Hamlet is able to pick up on when he is being closely watched. When Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were sent by Claudius and Gertrude, Hamlet automatically knew they were sent to spy on him. Even with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern trying to hide the fact they were sent for by saying “To visit you, my lord, no other occasion” (II.ii.271), Hamlet knows they’re lying and gets the truth out of them. Also with Ophelia when he asks “Where’s your father?” (III.i.130-131), it seems like Hamlet is hinting to Ophelia that he is aware of this set up. He’s not actually concerned about the whereabouts of Polonius because he knows he’s right there with them. There was evidence beforehand to seeing how the king calls for him and Ophelia is the one there. Hamlet is clever enough to put these pieces together. So if Hamlet was able to pick on these situations so easily why would this have changed all of a sudden?

Comparing this soliloquy to his previous ones, there is really no emotion in it. Hamlet seems to be calm, cool and collected while in his others there's strong emotions behind them. In his first soliloquy (I.ii.129-155), he's really saddened by the passing of his father. The second soliloquy (II.ii.543-601), he's angry at everything that is happening. But in the to be or not to be soliloquy, there's absolutely no sense of any emotion. In his previous soliloquy, Hamlet was in fact alone so he was able to express his thoughts and emotions the way he wanted. We know Hamlet is not the most social person and he's not very comfortable around other people. He doesn't ever express his emotions fully in front of other people while in his alone soliloquies we got into the thoughts and emotions of Hamlet as they were.  

With the topic of life or death revolving around this speech don’t you think Hamlet would have put more emotion into it if he was talking about taking his own life? If Hamlet was seriously thinking about ending his life, he would have been more conflicted with the idea. He would have expressed his wanting to end his life by referring to himself more often which he didn’t at any point, instead he says for example “When he himself might his quietus make/ With a bare bodkin?” (III.i.75-76). I believe at this point, Hamlet was making an indication to Claudius that maybe he should be the one to take his own life.

In the end, can you really trick a master trickster? Hamlet is not stupid and knows that people are watching him more and more so why would he let his guard down now?

RE: Becky

I agree with you 100%. I think it’s interesting how you looked at Hamlet being cruel to Ophelia as part of his plan. I only looked at it has a way of him just getting back at Ophelia and acting on impulse. I enjoyed reading it in a different point of view. Also I also liked how you looked at Hamlet being cruel to Ophelia as a whole and not just one aspect of it. I believe it helped further prove your point!

Does Hamlet know he is being watched

Hamlet is aware or has a feeling that he is being watched by Claudius and Polonius during the famous “ To be or not to be” soliloquy. He questions ophelia as to where he farther is, Hamlet is only cruel to Ophelia when he needs to trick someone into thinking he does not love her. Hamlet knows Claudius is watching because he is cruel to Ophelia when someone is watching but when they are along he flirts with her. Even when he is acting rude he is saying it in the nicest way he can. “ Get thee to a nunnery” (III,i 121). Maybe he is doing this because he has a feeling that Claudius and Polonius are watching. Or he could possibly be doing this because he wants people to think he is crazy , so if he is rude to Ophelia he is showing Claudius and Polonius who are watching that he is crazy and he really doesn’t love Ophelia. He is putting a show on for Claudius. He is already very suspicious with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern because Hamlet can already sense that they have been lying to him. He can see right through them. He is also suspicious at the fact that when he was told to meet claudius in the front foyer he was no where to be found but Ophelia was there.

After Hamlet's “ To be or not to be” soliloquy he finds the fair Ophelia in the front foyer. During their conversation Hamlet questions Ophelia as to where he father is. I personally think Hamlet says this to Ophelia because he realizes that Claudius who was the reason why Hamlet was in the foyer has not showed up but instead Ophelia did.

The mood that Hamlet is showing in this scene gives off is very confronting and a feeling of knowing that someone is watching him. In his first few lines he allows his true emotions towards Claudius come out. He slowly opens himself up as if he is now looking his enemy in the eye telling him exactly how he feels.

“Thus conscience does make cowards of us all,

And thus that native hue of resolution is sicklied

o'er with the pale cast of thought, and enterprises of great pitch and moment,

with this regard their currents turn awry and lose the name of action”(III,i,83-88)

The meaning of “soliloquy” means to speak directly to the audience. This soliloquy is different then most, it is one that can keep the audience or the reader on their feet or keep them thinking if Hamlet truly does know if he is being watched or if he is just being Hamlet. This is one of the many reasons why this soliloquy is one of the most famous and known soliloquy still to this day.

There for in my opinion Hamlet is assuming that he is being watched by Claudius because of three reasons. One he is asked by Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to meet Claudius in the front foyer. Hamlet goes to the front foyer and Claudius is no where to be seen but there is fair Ophelia. Which makes him questions where her fathers where about is because where ever Polonius is Claudius is near by. Another reason is that he only treats Ophelia like crap when Claudius and or Polonius are watching.  

Hamlets Sixth and Greatest Sense

Connor Kucharic                                                                Wednesday, March 26, 2014

        Known as one of the most famous soliloquies of our time, Hamlet is seen by an audience contemplating his death. As he is saying his speech, readers examine the lines to determine wether he was aware of Polonius and Claudius watching him or he was not aware. I believe he had knowledge that he was being watched. If we compare Hamlet’s soliloquies in the acts before this scene he always referred back to an event that occurred. Hamlet also does not go into detail of what he is going to do, but rather just contemplate suicide. His actions before and after the soliloquy give hints to the audience that he is not alone. 

        We all have all had a feeling of a presence that someone is near us. You have the urge to turn around after getting that sense of knowing someone is near. As you look behind you or off to the side only to see no one by you. Some say it is a sixth sense, others may be more sceptical of its existence. From the moment Ophelia began talking to Hamlet, I could tell something was off. Ophelia said to him “My lord, I have remembrances of yours/ That I have longèd long to redeliver.”(III.i.95-96). This is the first indication showing that Ophelia knew he would be in the courtyard at that exact time. Why else would she be carrying around the mementoes of love, if she was not expecting him? 

        This soliloquy is quite different from Hamlet’s soliloquies in the previous two acts. The soliloquy in Act 1 (I.ii.131-159) Hamlet speaks of his mother disrespecting Hamlet Sr. Hamlet showed his love towards his father and mourned, while his mother, Gertrude, moved on quickly and married his uncle, Claudius. His anger was directed towards his mother. In Hamlets second soliloquy (I.v.92-103) he speaks of the supposed ghost of his father and how he will revenge his uncle. “So, uncle, there you are. Now to my word.”(I.v.110). Once again Hamlet is in rage and grief of his fathers death and what is occurring around him. In Hamlets last soliloquy leading up to the famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy, he is determined to trap Claudius into admitting he was the man who murdered Hamlet Sr. In all three of these soliloquies leading up to this soliloquy speak in detail of his plans to commit an act of Hubris in revenge of his father, where as in this soliloquy he contemplates if it is worth dying now and bearing the after world or not. “Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer…/ And by opposing end them?”(III.i.57-60). I also noticed that Hamlet did not use ‘I’ or ‘me’ in his soliloquy in Act 3. He used ‘I’ and ‘me’ in the other soliloquies we have read so far, but this one which could mean he had a sense of knowing someone was near, leading me to conclude that he was directing his soliloquy at Claudius, for the most part. 

        The actions of the play leading up to this soliloquy indicate that Hamlet was being watched. In Act 2, Hamlet was overseen by Guildenstern and Rosencrantz, by request of Gertrude and Claudius. He asked them “But in the beaten way of friendship, what make you at Elsinore?” (II.ii.265-266). Indicating he knew they were not here for just pleasure as Hamlet refers to Denmark as a prison. To reassure Hamlets thoughts he asks who sent them to him “Were you not sent for?”(II.ii.270). Even though he already knows that they were sent by his mother and uncle, “I know the good king and queen have sent for you.”(II.ii.277). This confirms my thoughts that Hamlet was able to recognize the way Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were acting and determined they were watching him. In comparison to Ophelia, she acted in a different way then normal. When giving the mementos to Hamlet she had no feelings, even though she can be emotional. Also Hamlet asks Ophelia “Where’s your father?”(III.i.130) in attempt to catch her in a lie and she responds saying he is at home. The comment Hamlet makes next, I interpreted as a warning to Polonius that he knows he is there. “that he may play the fool nowhere but in’s own house.”(III.i.132-133). I don't see any reason to why he would be telling Ophelia that line, but to warn whom may be standing behind the walls of the courtyard. 

        After reviewing Hamlets soliloquies, past events that have taken place and emotions shared before the “To be or not to be” soliloquy I have determined that Hamlet has somewhat of a sixth sense. He is very intelligent, even more intelligent than Ophelia (sorry Rachel). If Claudius and Gertrude tried spying on him once, there is no doubt they would do it again. Even if Hamlet was not completely sure that he was being watched he took into consideration there may be more then his and Ophelia’s eyes in the courtyard. In reality, unless we can go back to the late 1500’s/early 1600’s we will never know the truth of what Shakespeare thought when writing this soliloquy. “The human brain is a complex organ with the wonderful power of enabling man to find reasons for continuing to believe whatever it is that he wants to believe.” —Voltaire.

Comments:

RE: Rachel Labonte's Post

        I agree with Rachel, you bring up some very valid points. Not to be completely bias of thinking that Hamlet was aware of Claudius’s and Polonius’s presence in the courtyard, but you have some interesting views on it, that I would not have thought of. Hamlet is known to be a trickster, so it would only be evident that he is playing a trick on Claudius. Hamlet is very unemotional in this soliloquy and impersonal. I thought “these expressions break up the iambic pentameter of the act 2 soliloquy it seems more natural and emotional”(Rachel Labonte), was a very interesting way of looking at the soliloquy as a way to trick Claudius. His emotional detachment makes it very hard to believe that he is being serious about committing suicide.  

RE: Suryna Said's Post

I agree and disagree with what Suryna states. Hamlets character is very inconsistent in the play, but his intelligence of knowing his surroundings at all times can be argued. When you said “I believe he is speaking from his heart and is again questioning his motives” (Suryna Said), I don’t get that thought from him. He does not use the pronouns ‘I’ and ‘me’ in his soliloquy, where as he uses them in the soliloquies of previous acts. In the previous soliloquies he used the pronouns at he was true to his heart with what he was saying. On the contrary I agree with what you said about how Hamlet stops when Ophelia walked in, knowing he is not alone anymore. Then I question why would he ask Ophelia where her father was, if he knew he was alone.

RE: Charlene Rhemtulla's 

Good points Charlene! (I thought he was from Oedipus Rex oops. It's good you cleared that up haha). What if he changed and stopped being a trickster?? :o All in real, I think that Ophelia did give it away a bit to Hamlet, almost like reassuring him that he is being watched by Polonius and Claudius. Hamlets love for Ophelia is unbearable. It is not likely for it to change that quickly without a serious event happening. His loss in love with her can also indicate hew knew that he was being watched and did not want to reveal their true love in front of Claudius and polonius.

Hamlet The Confused

Hamlet believes he is truly alone during his soliloquy saying things that were very emotional to him things he would not want anyone to hear. "To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And by opposing end them." (III.i.56-60). Here Hamlet is honestly contemplating death or murder something had any else heard him might cause a stir and would definitely cause Claudius and Polonius to be more careful around him it would also throw his crazy label he has been using to confuse Claudius about the water with revenge talking its place making far harder to murder him. “To die, to sleep; To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there’s the rub: For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause” (III.i.64-68).  Hamlet is referring to death as a dream in the sense that once you’re in your dream you don’t really have any control over it. A metaphor for he truly has no control over what he wanted to do at that moment the only reason he didn’t kill himself right there and then is because he saw Ophelia the one thing/person he enjoyed in life and he most likely didn’t want to saddened her. “Soft you now, The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons Be all my sins remember’d.” (III.i.88-90). If Hamlet had really wanted someone to hear him why would he silence himself when Ophelia showed up he could have continued it ignoring the fact she was there and could have made her tell Claudius and Polonius to spur another plot had it been one from the beginning. “When he himself might his quietus make With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear, To grunt and sweat under a weary life,” (III.i.76-77). Hamlet takes out a knife and moves it around very close to himself, while saying he could easily end his life with that knife. I don’t think that Hamlet lacks the intelligence to realize that if he took out a knife as a ploy because he believed someone was watching he could accidentally stab himself and end his life, no this was a man completely caught up in his emotions.

Hamlet’s emotions completely agree with what is being said he was filling fed up with life his dad got killed and he was the only one who seems to truly care, his mother was sleeping around with the Claudius who supposedly murdered his father, the love of his life Ophelia won’t even respond to any of the letter he has sent and she is completely ignoring him and if that wasn’t enough he has two people, in Rosencrantz & Guildenstern, who he dislikes constantly provoking him because Gertrude and Claudius told them to find out what’s wrong with Hamlet even though they know nothing about him. He’s lost he doesn’t know what to do in this situation, he can’t be blame for what thinking about death, if Claudius murdering his father and Ophelia arriving at the time he might honestly have killed himself, he was confused, anger and just fed up with everyone around him. 

RE ALEX T: 
I agree with the fact that the King had sent people to find stuff out what's wrong with Hamlet, but he has never truly spied on Hamlet even Rosencrantz and Guildenstern were indirectly asking him question instead of watching him from a far. The arrangement for Hamlet was to find out what was bothering Hamlet and it helped garnish nothing from it because he didn't really give us anything out of it other then hiding information he was giving Ophelia to protect herself. At this point, Claudius doesn't view Hamlet as an enemy even though, Hamlet does Claudius views Hamlet more as a son, in a weird Homer Simpson-Bart Simpson relationship, as he taunted him earlier on by calling him unmanly and worrying about him by sending Guildenstern and Rosencrantz for him, the Beavis and Butt-head of Hamlet, who think they knows what they are doing but clearly have no clue. Hamlet seemed to be telling himself to quite down before Ophelia hears all of this and runs to her father Polonius who she gave all the love letters to, letters he poured his heart into so he should feel a bit betrayed and be at odds with her hecan't fully trust her or anyone other than Horatio as you said. Hamlet had a lot of steam building up from all the things that had happened over the time period of the book and he let it all out, thankfully it didn't result in him committing suicide. 

The Genius of Hamlet, the Very Sane Prince of Denmark

        No one has the power to know everything and it is hard for someone to determine something based on opinion. Hamlet is a man who understands how smart he is but also knows his limits. This is why he is such a good thinker and trickster. Hamlet constantly questions himself about all the decisions he made. This leads to his great soliloquy, "To be or not to be." In this scene, we as an audience know that he is being watched by Claudius and Polonius but does Hamlet know? In my personal opinion, he does know he is being watched and everything he says he not only wants us to question it, he wants Polonius and Claudius to question it. Claudius has tried to spy on him before with Rozsencrantz and Guildenstern and the king calls him down to the "encounter" with Ophelia.

        The king has tried to spy on Hamlet before by using Rozencrantz and Guildenstern. The queen had told them to go and "check up" on Hamlet and Hamlet had never known about it at the time. "And I beseech you instantly to visit My too much changed son. " (II.ii.35-36) This is very significant because Claudius would do this over and over again if he had to. So we as an audience know he will probably try this again. Now Hamlet knows the king and queen sent Rozsencrantz and Guildenstern. "You were sent for, and there is a kind of confession in your looks, which your modesties have not craft enough to colour." (II.ii.274-276) He can tell they were sent by the king and queen and now the audience and Hamlet knows they were spies. I made the conclusion that Claudius will find a definite way to spy on Hamlet again since this plan failed, now imagine Hamlet who is extremely smart and a very good thinker, he would have thought of this. So his next set of actions would have been with him knowing that Claudius might be spying on him at any moment. This is why with this, in his soliloquy he might have not known that Claudius would spy on him but no matter what he did, he had to take into consideration that Claudius might have been spying on him. Now this all leads up to the decision with Guildenstern and Rozsencrantz, if Claudius and the queen hadn't decided to send them to Hamlet, Hamlet might not have been suspicious and not planned for it. This leads into the second point that would've made Hamlet believe for sure that Claudius was watching.

        The king secretly arranges Hamlet to come to him and to run into Ophelia. "For we have closely sent for Hamlet hither, That he, as 'twere by accident, may here Affront Ophelia." (III.i.30-32) I feel this is like a kid thinking he is smarter then a parent. In this case Claudius thinks he is so smart by secretly arranging this meeting, he underestimates Hamlet and how smart he really is. If anyone was put into that position, knowing that you only trust your best friend, Horatio, and when someone else besides him comes to get you then you know something is up, especially when you have the king as your enemy. Now you can look at the next part in many ways, but if you follow his thought process this next point sounds somewhat sarcastic. "Soft you now, The fair Ophelia!" (III.i.88-89) He basically tells us to shhhh, Ophelia is coming... HE IS TALKING TO US as the audience, Shakespeare knows how badly we want to yell out to Hamlet and tell him that he is being watched, and in those final lines he tells us that he knows about Claudius and tells us not say anything because Ophelia is coming and he doesn't want her or Claudius/Polonius knowing that Hamlet knows that they are there. This leads me to conclude that the king underestimated Hamlet and that Hamlet knows Claudius is there because the meeting was to perfect. 

        Rozsencrantz and Guildenstern were to spy on Hamlet, and the king making a secret meeting for Hamlet gave Hamlet the evidence he needed to know that Claudius would be there when he did his soliloquy. So all he said during the soliloquy and the encounter with Ophelia was meant for Claudius. I do believe that he didn't know that Polonius was there because there was no evidence to suggest Hamlet even knowing Polonius was in on the plan. The evidence can point towards both directions, Hamlet knowing or not knowing that Claudius would be hiding and spying but if you put yourself in that position, how easily would you be fooled? 

        @Mitchell Mason: You make a good third point which relates to what I wrote. Hamlet sees through the disguises really well because he saw that Guildenstern and Rozsencrantz were sent by the king and queen, and they only have the small feeling of friendship between Hamlet. Now Ophelia who is supposed to love Hamlet, is to hide what she is really doing with just a book? I can relate Hamlet to Sherlock/Sherlock Homes (movies or books) because the two characters are very similar. They are very good thinkers that take everything into consideration and over time have learnt to tell when people lie and easily see through disguises. In the show Sherlock I remember a perfect example in the first episode Sherlock examines John and explains exactly who he was, noticing the smallest detail and figuring out what type of man John was. Hamlet never went to that scale but just like Sherlock, he could definitely tell though the disguise and figure out Claudius was watching him during the soliloquy. 

You’ll Never Be Alone

Becky Terc

The “to be or not to be” soliloquy is a very emotional and sincere reflection of action and inaction. Hamlet tries to make sense of whether the unknown of life after death is any easier to deal with than his current life. The big question is, is Hamlet alone or is he being watched? The traditional view has usually been Hamlet is alone on stage expressing his feelings, but I believe that Hamlet is well aware that Claudius and Polonius are listening close by.

The first thing I realize as I read this soliloquy is that unlike the first and the second, its mood seems to lack emotion. Considering this soliloquy is about whether it is better to be alive or dead, you would think that it would be filled with deep emotions, instead it is very monotone. In both his first and second soliloquies Hamlet expresses his emotions which mainly show his frustrations with himself:

 Yet I,

                                                 A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak

                                                 Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause,

                                                 And can say nothing―no, not for a king,

                                                 Upon whose property and most dear life

 A damn’d defeat was made. Am I a coward? (II, ii, 552-557)

Hamlet is extremely critical of himself, this explains why in his other soliloquies he is so emotional. Due to the absence of emotion in the third soliloquy, it leads me to believe that Hamlet is not just talking to himself.

It only makes sense that Hamlet is directing his monologue towards Claudius. At the beginning of the play when Hamlet is talking to the Ghost, the Ghost mentions "'Tis given out that, sleeping in my orchard,/ A serpent stung me" (I, v, 35-36) this correlates with the talk of sleep in Hamlets third soliloquy: "To die―to sleep,/ No more; and by a sleep to say we end/ The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks/ That flesh is heir to" (III, I, 60-63). For Hamlet to achieve revenge successfully he would have to kill Claudius in a state of sin, but also Claudius would have to suspect Hamlet is up to something. This could be a way Hamlet is hinting to Claudius that he knows, and he is seeking revenge. I also believe that since Hamlet knows Claudius is listening he mentions "Thus conscience makes cowards of us all" (III, I, 83) because Claudius murdered his brother in a very cowardly way, waiting for him to fall asleep.  Therefore Hamlet intentionally insults Claudius calling him a coward.

Another reason to believe Hamlet knows he’s being watched is the way Hamlet treats Ophelia right after his "to be or not to be" speech. I believe that Hamlet is in love with Ophelia and if you were to look closely and read in-between the lines, you can see that when Hamlet is being cruel to her, telling her he doesn't love her anymore and to go to a nunnery that there is a play on words. Hamlet is telling her not to believe him because he himself is not always honest: “Get thee to a nunnery. Why, wouldst thou be a breeder/ of sinners? I am myself indifferent honest, but yet I/ could accuse me of such things it were better my/ mother had not borne me.”(III, I, 121-124) When Hamlet refers to the nunnery, some think he is insulting her, but I believe he is telling her to go there so she will be safe from the trouble that he anticipates in the future. Hamlet knew he was being spied on and he didn't want the King to know he is in love with Ophelia because he could end up using her against him, so he acts cruel toward Ophelia as part of his plan.

                Also this wouldn't be the first time Hamlet was being watched. Gertrude and Claudius asked Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Act 2 Scene 2 to talk to Hamlet and see what was on his mind. Hamlet was not just suspicious but he knew that when R&G said they just wanted to visit him that they were lying: "You were sent for, and/ there is a kind of confession in your looks, which your/ modesties have no craft enough to colour. I know the/ good king and queen have sent for you". (II, ii, 274-277) If Hamlet was smart enough to realize this then, it would be no different this time.

RE: Ben

I agree with Drew, I think it was very smart how you looked at the punctuation to prove that Hamlets lack of emotion within his soliloquy. I think that it is a very strong point because you can clearly see the difference with his emotions between the first two soliloquies compared to his third. I find myself relating this to presentations that you see present day. When someone is enthusiastic about something it feels like they have an emotional connection toward it but when someone presents and they are monotone I feel as though they do not have a big enough emotional attachment to what they are trying to convey.

RE: Suryna

You chose the opposite side that I did but I understand most of your points and agree with them.  Except for one point, you said "It would lose most of its meaning and power if it was just words being said to seem crazy and put on a show, even if he had meaning behind it".  I do not agree with this specific point because I think that if Hamlet knew he was being watched his words would not lose any of their power or their meaning. I think that if he were directing his words toward Claudius knowing he was listening (like I argued) they would be just as powerful because he has so much animosity toward Claudius.