When Hamlet sees Fortinbras's army heading to battle in Poland, he is moved to deliver a startling monologue about the battle raging in his soul. Passion and anger push Hamlet to avenge his father's murder at any cost, while logic and reason distract him from blindly following his feelings. In the scene after killing Polonius, Hamlet must decide to end his quest for revenge or carry out his murderous plans. This soliloquy sees Hamlet turn away from logic, which has stifled him, and embrace irrational passion, which will guide his actions for the rest of the play. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Much of the speech sounds like the locker room chant before a big football match: "I have cause, will, strength, and means, not to do it. (IV.iv.45)" Hamlet seems to be preparing to avenge the death of his father. Inspired by the courage and strength of the soldiers, he rebels against his previous inaction, going so far as to call it beastly. But the idea that his soliloquy is simply a rousing pep talk doesn't stand up to scrutiny. The speech is full of irony and contradiction that allude to the complex meaning of Hamlet's words. At the beginning of the soliloquy Hamlet states that his reason will lead him from his apathetic state to action. According to him, this divine ability to reason is what separates man from beast. great speech, . . He didn't give us that ability. (IV.iv.33) Yet it is his "wide speech" and reason that compel Hamlet to murder, the most bestial and least divine of actions. This contradiction illustrates the conflict between Hamlet's desire to act and logical thinking that leads him away from his goal. Another example of this appears later in the passage where Hamlet describes his inaction to the reader by saying that "Let them all sleep (IV.iv.59)". He then goes on to praise the soldiers' courage by saying that "They go to their graves as beds (IV.iv.62)". Hamlet uses the same imagery to describe the inaction he hates and the action he desires, making his opinion of the soldiers' willingness to act unclear. Perhaps Hamlet values ​​the soldiers' blind actions no more than his own apathy. Evidence to support this notion can be seen in this passage. Hamlet repeatedly states his respect and admiration for the army going into battle before him. Yet, even as he speaks their praises, Hamlet points out the folly of their actions. He knows that it is useless for so many of them to fight and die for the tiny, worthless piece of land they will have to defend. Clearly, Hamlet is mocking the courage he claims to envy and desire. Hamlet defines honor by saying that a great man is slow to anger, but quick to fight when his honor is at stake. This dubious statement conveys Hamlet's sense that honor is nothing more than an excuse for men to express their passions. Hamlet's lack of respect for honor stems from his belief that it allows men to do what they feel, rather than what they think. Upon close examination Hamlet's remarks reveal insightful comments criticizing irrational action. From this point of view, Hamlet's speech appears full of "divine reason". The cryptic language veils the internal struggle that Hamlet engages in throughout the passage. He questions the benefits of courage and quick action, which he will need to enact his revenge. He questions the value of honor, which is the reason he avenges his father. Indeed, all of Hamlet's logic leads him to the conclusion that it would be better to forget about, 1982.