In Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet, the idea of ​​rational action versus emotional action plays an important role. It is seen very clearly throughout the play in various scenes, but particularly through Hamlet's first soliloquy. Rational is defined as “based on facts or reason and not on emotions or feelings, and also as having the ability to reason or think about things clearly.” (Merriam-Webster). However, emotional is defined as “dominated by or prone to emotions.” .”(Merriam Webster) The two ideas are related in that they both deal with emotions. The difference between the two will become clear when they apply to Hamlet and the transition that young Hamlet portrays, through his soliloquy, from rational action to emotional action. Hamlet's soliloquy is able to encapsulate his ever-changing feelings and emotions into one. There are examples of both rational and emotional action in its entirety. It develops all of Hamlet's personal issues and also foreshadows what will happen in the rest of the play. The beginning of the soliloquy is of utmost importance because it shows not only Hamlet's ability to think rationally, but also shows an emotional side. Hamlet: Oh, that this too-salted flesh would melt, and melt into dew! Or that the eternal had not set his canon against [self-]killing! O God, God, (1.2.130-132) In the first part of his soliloquy we see that he seems to be talking to God about the fact that suicide is a sin. It is inferred that Hamlet is contemplating suicide, which seems to be the first indicator of emotional action, but also rati...... middle of paper .......2.146) The point Vanrigh is trying to make is that Hamlet believes that the reason Gertrude married Claudius is because of her lustful desires or sensual weakness. All of these things described played a role in Hamlet's emotionality, but his mother was the main contender as to why his transition occurred. Works Cited Wofford, Susanne Lindgren. William Shakespeare, Hamlet. Boston: St. Martin's Bedford, 1994. Print."Rational." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster and Web. December 17, 2013. “Exciting.” Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster and Web. December 17, 2013.Crunelle-Vanrigh, Anny (1997). "'Too much under the (black) sun': Hamlet's first soliloquy, AKristevan View." Renaissance Forum (1362-1149), 2 (2).Levy, Eric. “The problematic relationship between reason and emotion in Hamlet.” Renaissance 53, no. 2 (winter 2001)