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Opposition In Hamlet's Soliloquy

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Opposition is present throughout much of Shakespeare’s Hamlet and in this soliloquy this holds true as well. Hamlet’s desire for revenge is suppressed by his hesitation and in this soliloquy his decision is made. He chooses revenge over forgiveness, free will over fate, and honor over safety. Hamlet notes that “all occasions do inform against me, And spur my dull revenge!” (4.4.34-35) All the advancements in the play seem to be leading him to act upon his revenge, yet still he is hesitant about following through with his plan of murdering his corrupt uncle. Hamlet laments that God gave humans great reasoning power but if no action comes of it, then that gift is wasted. That Hamlet’s own delaying of action and reconsidering his course is more

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