What is the importance of soliloquies in Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'?

Soliloquies are speeches spoken by a character that reveal personal thoughts and feelings when no one else apart from them is on-stage. In 'Hamlet', it is difficult to summarise the personality and character of Hamlet as his actions in both the public and private worlds of Elsinore often contradict and in a way create two separate identities for the prince: a mad man and a sane, but melancholy prince of Denmark. For example, in act 1, scene 2 the court scene provides the audience with their first impression of Hamlet- an angry and confrontational man acting like a child and refusing to cooperate with his uncle/step-father and mother. However, moments after in Hamlet's first soliloquy, instead of acting angry and bitter like the audience may expect, Hamlet voices a man full of anguish and hopelessness as he cannot bear to be alive any longer. Therefore, it is important that when talking about Hamlet in an essay, you should always analyse a few of his soliloquies. They provide the audience with an indepth and accurate insight into Hamlet's true state of mind that changes drastically over the course of the play. Soliloquies also enables the audience to understand Hamlet's plans and motives without his 'antic disposition' becoming misleading and confusing as it is for other characters in the court of Elsinore.