O, that this too too solid flesh would melt (1.2.131-61)
Hamlet's passionate first soliloquy provides a striking contrast to the controlled and artificial dialogue that he must exchange with Claudius and his court...
O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I! (2.2.555-612)
In addition to revealing Hamlet's plot to catch the king in his guilt, Hamlet's second soliloquy uncovers the very essence of Hamlet's true conflict...
To be, or not to be: that is the question (3.1.64-98)
Unlike Hamlet's first two major soliloquies, the third and most famous speech seems to be governed by reason and not frenzied emotion. Unable to do little but wait for completion of his plan to "catch the conscience of the king", Hamlet sparks an internal philosophical debate on the advantages and disadvantages of existence...
Tis now the very witching time of night (3.2.380-391)
Hamlet's plan to "catch the conscience of the king" has been a success, and Claudius has retired, distraught, to his chamber. Thrilled that his scheme worked, Hamlet experiences a sudden surge of confidence which prompts the first half of this short soliloquy...
Now might I do it pat, now he is praying (3.3.77-100)
Hamlet has thought himself prepared to "drink hot blood" (3.2.382) and carry out the murder of the King. Now, as he happens upon the unattended Claudius, the time has come to take action, but Hamlet finds that he is unable to kill...
How all occasions do inform against me (4.4.35-69)
Hamlet's final soliloquy appears in Q2 but not in the First Folio. Some critics argue that Shakespeare himself cut the passage from the Folio as he made revisions to his work over the years before his death...
Macbeth Soliloquies and Speeches
Glamis thou art, and Cawdor; and shalt be (1.5)
Detailed annotations for Lady Macbeth's famous soliloquy on Macbeth's nature, "too full o' the milk of human kindness."
If it were done when 'tis done... (1.7.1-29)
Macbeth's first soliloquy reaffirms that the three witches, by informing him that he will be "king hereafter" (1.3.50), have merely kindled his own innermost desire to obtain the throne. Their prediction may encourage Macbeth to act upon his secret thoughts...
Is this a dagger which I see before me (2.1.33-61)
Enhancing the ominous and eerie atmosphere of the speech is the use of successive allusions to people and practices which conjure up images of satanic and earthly evil...
To be thus is nothing (3.1.47-71)
Macbeth is again contemplating murder, but what impels his deliberation this time is not guilt and shame but panic and rage. The murder of Duncan has made the murder of Banquo a necessity and, more importantly to Macbeth's character development, a facile task...
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble (4.1.1-47)
Detailed annotations for the Witches' famous chants.
She should have died hereafter...(5.5.17-28)
There are four, and possibly several more, opinions regarding Macbeth's initial reaction when he hears that his wife is dead...
Romeo and Juliet Speeches
But soft, what light through yonder window (2.2)
In this passage Romeo uses an intricate conceit to express a simple desire: to take Juliet's virginity. Romeo begins by saying that the envious moon, i.e., Diana, goddess of the moon and patron of virgins, is jealous of her servant's (Juliet's) radiance...
O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? (2.2)
Detailed annotations for the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet.
