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.
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