Hamlet Soliloquy Glossary: To be, or not to be: that is the question (3.1.64-98).
native hue of resolution (92)
Plainly, "the natural color of courage" is fiery red. Hamlet believes excessive contemplation paralyzes our ability to take necessary action and turns men into cowards. The face of cowardice is sickly pale. Note how Hamlet's description corresponds to the Renaissance belief in the four humours.
Back to Soliloquy Annotations
How to cite this article:
Mabillard, Amanda. Hamlet Soliloquy Glossary. Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug. 2000. (date when you accessed the information) < http://shakespeare-online.com/plays/hamlet/soliloquies/native.html >.
_________
Related Articles
Hamlet: Problem Play and Revenge Tragedy
Hamlet's Silence
Hamlet's Relationship with the Ghost
The Significance of the Ghost in Armor
Blank Verse and Diction in Shakespeare's Hamlet
Analysis of the Characters in Hamlet
Revenge in Hamlet
Deception in Hamlet
The Hamlet and Ophelia Subplot
The Norway (Fortinbras) Subplot
Foul Deeds Will Rise: Hamlet and Divine Justice
Soliloquy
Analysis: O this too too... (1.2.131)
Soliloquy Analysis: O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I!... (2.2.555-612)
Soliloquy
Analysis: To be, or not to be... (3.1.64-98)
Soliloquy Analysis: Tis now the very witching time of night... (3.2.380-91)
Soliloquy Analysis: Now might I do it pat... (3.3.77-100)
Soliloquy Analysis: How all occasions do inform against me... (4.4.35-69)
Sources for Hamlet
Quotations from Hamlet (with commentary)
Hamlet Study Quiz (with detailed answers)
Hamlet: Q & A
|