SOLILOQUIES SOLILOQUY DEFINITION PURPOSE A device often used

SOLILOQUIES

SOLILOQUY DEFINITION & PURPOSE A device often used in drama when a character speaks to himself or herself, relating thoughts and feelings, thereby also sharing them with the audience. Other characters, however, are not aware of what is being said. (from the Latin solo “by oneself” and loquor “to talk”) • Reveal a character’s inner thoughts • Often used to puzzle out personal problems • Work out an argument or explore different sides of an issue

MODERN SOLILOQUIES? • Within Hamlet, these pivotal moments of self-reflection represent a moment when the character is essentially talking to him or herself, but with an audience. • Where might we see this today?

SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: • “Being told ‘I know you can do this’ weirdly makes me not want to try…’You CAN’T do this’ has the same effect. Ok, yeah, I might just be lazy. ” • “I get the same feeling at the dentist that I get when a cop car is behind me; I haven’t done anything wrong, but I feel incredibly guilty. ” • “I get bummed out when I end up being on time but I’d worked up a really great ‘why I’m late’ story. ”

• “Don’t have to take the ACT anymore, but I paid for it…” • “I’d rather have a homemade meal than going to eat fast food…but I’m always too lazy to cook. ” • “Can someone tell me what I want in life? Because right now I don’t have a clue #struggles”

WHO IS YOUR AUDIENCE? • In your interactive notebooks, take a few minutes and respond to the following questions: • When you are posting on Social Media, who is your audience? In other words, who are you talking to? Does this affect what you post? • How might this perceived or intended audience differ from your actual audience (who really sees your post)?

WHAT IF HAMLET HAD TWITTER? Horatio: My lord, I think I saw him yesternight…the king, your father Horatio: My lord, I came to see your father’s funeral Hamlet: I pray thee, do not mock me…I think it was to see my mother’s wedding. Hamlet: A little month, or ere those shoes were old with which she followed my poor father’s body…married with my uncle.

Hamlet: My excellent good friends…what have you deserved at the hands of fortune that she sends you to prison hither? Ghost: The serpent that did sting thy father’s life now wears his crown.

If Hamlet had Twitter… @Dane. Prince. Ham: I am so O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! Is it not monstrous that this player here, But in a fiction, in a dream of passion, Could force his soul so to his own conceit That from her working all his visage wann’d, Tears in his eyes, distraction in’s aspect, A broken voice, and his whole function suiting With forms to his conceit? And all for nothing! For Hecuba! worthless #ghostdadhatesme #ihateme #denmarkisaprison @Dane. Prince. Ham: This guy can act! #seriouslyhescrying @Dane. Prince. Ham: He doesn’t even know her! #whatishecubatohim #noone #jealous

Yet I, A dull and muddy-mettled rascal, peak, Like John-a-dreams, unpregnant of my cause, @Dane. Prince. Ham: seriously can’t do anything #dreamer #canttalkaboutit 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? Who calls me villain? Breaks my pate across? Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my face? Tweaks me by the nose? @Dane. Prince. Ham: I can’t even #ghostdadprobs #cantdoit #speechless #sorrydad @Dane. Prince. Ham: Am I a coward? #notavillain #notaman #imaloser #ghostdadhatesme

• Beginning with “Ha! ‘Swounds…”, work with your group to create at least 6 Tweets for the rest of the soliloquy • Be sure to include hashtags that relate to what is going on in the play at this time or what has happened previously (i. e. #Denmarkisaprison) • If you’re feeling artistic, you may use emojis as well to help indicate the tone

• Create a Twitter handle and brief Bio for Hamlet • Working with your group, create 6 -8 Tweets for your soliloquy (either from Act 1, scene 2 or Act 3, scene 1) • Be sure to include appropriate hashtags (minimum of 5) • Abbreviate and use slang and emojis, as appropriate • When you are done, respond to the following questions: • What do we learn about the character of Hamlet as a result of his soliloquies? • How do the metaphors/allusions contribute to the deeper meaning of the soliloquy? • What is the purpose of the soliloquy you are working with (Act 1 or Act 3)?