Hamlets famous soliloquy

753 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Hamlet's stage of depression

Hamlet says, “To be, or not to be – that is the question: Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And by opposing them”. These lines are the opening to one of Hamlet’s soliloquies. In fact, these lines are possibly the most famous lines in English literature, but do people know what Hamlet meant by these lines. Hamlet is more than just contemplating suicide, he is also thinking about death and how to combat his pain. As he spoke those lines, he believes suicide is a way to get out of his pain.
In the opening line of Hamlet’s soliloquy, “To be or not to be” Hamlet is contemplating suicide. He is talking to himself about if it is better to go through these trouble times alone or to take his life in his own hands and end the suffering in his life by killing himself. Today, most people think suicide is getting out the easy way, but it seems like Hamlet wants to fight this thought. “Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them”. Hamlet is talking about which one is more noble, to let the slings and arrows kill him or to fight against all of his troubles and oppose them.
To live or to die, this is the question Hamlet has been wondering. Before Hamlet answers this, he needs to ask more questions to himself. “To die: to sleep; N...

Show More
Related

  • Insanity In Roberto Bolano's Hamlet

    803 Words  | 2 Pages

    Peter Wenzel declares, “the most important evidence against the thesis of Hamlet’s insanity, however, is again to be found in the comments of other character’s and in this case of Hamlet himself”. Wenzel suggests through his declaration that the reader should look scrupulously at the lines of each character, especially Hamlet, to verify his sanity. When Wenzel says “in this case of Hamlet himself”, he is implying that one should focus on Hamlet’s soliloquies to understand his real thoughts and emotions. Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” speech, truly explains all that Hamlet is feeling throughout the play. Hamlet frantically expresses, “To be or not to be; that is the question: / whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles / And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep” ( ). These famous lines are the most important lines in the entire play because there is much debate on Hamlet’s sanity during his confession. In these lines, Hamlet is contemplating suicide. One could argue that he is insane for wanting to kill himself, however understanding his past helps show he is sane. Up to this point in the play, Hamlet has dealt with family problems. His father dies, and his mother remarries his uncle. He still grieves the loss of his father, and he cannot believe his mother has moved on

    Read More

  • Understanding Hamlet's Famous Speech in Shakespeare's Hamlet

    528 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet is seriously in need of some Prozac. He says in this speech, flat out: "To die, to sleep-..'Tis a consumation devoutly to be wished."(3.1.69-72). He feels that his troubles and his heartache are to to much to deal with. While this speech is not the first time he ha...

    Read More

  • Suicide in William Shakespeare's Hamlet

    2973 Words  | 6 Pages

    In two of his soliloquies, Hamlet questions whether life is worth living. With characteristic ambiguity and indecision, he wavers as he considers both the Christian and the classical perspectives on suicide. Much of the debate surrounding Shakespeare’s treatment of suicide in Hamlet develops from interpretations of those soliloquies. Focusing primarily on his most famous soliloquy at the start of act three, much critical debate has arisen over the subject of his ruminations, whether on suicide or revenge, as critics draw parallels of development in what is seen as the oppositional thematic relationship between self-murder and murder of the king. Although Hamlet’s spiritual conscience and his fear prevent him from committing suicide, his wish to avenge his father’s murder, however hesitant, constitutes a conscious pursuit of death. Taking revenge that draws upon filial duty, on a task apparently dictated by a spiritual being, Hamlet acts in the service of the state and for this service is rewarded with that end he first wished, death.

    Read More

  • How Does Hamlet No Value

    1166 Words  | 3 Pages

    One of the most famous Shakespearean lines-"To be or not to be, that is the question” is found in Hamlet, spoken by the title character himself. While this is the most obvious reference that Hamlet makes to this own philosophy, Hamlet makes frequent proclamations about his stifled life throughout the play. Hamlet views his life in a negative manner, to the point where he finds himself contemplating whether or not to end his own life. Hamlet does not value his life, which causes him to become flustered with himself and his lack of action. Therefore, demonstrating that Hamlet does not value his life as one should.

    Read More

  • Analysis of the Tone of the To Be or Not to Be Soliloquy in Hamlet

    644 Words  | 2 Pages

    This famous soliloquy offers a dark and deep contemplation of the nature of life and death. Hamlet’s contemplative, philosophical, and angry tones demonstrate the emotions all people feel throughout their lifetimes.

    Read More

  • Social and Psychological Influences on Hamlet

    772 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet’s psychological influence demonstrates his dread of both death and life.  In Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, “To be or not to be” (3.1.64), he refers the “be” to life and further asks “whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” (3.1.65.66).  By this, Hamlet is asking himself the question of whether to live or die.

    Read More

  • The Value Of Life In Shakespeare's Hamlet

    1119 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hamlet asked a the question whether living through his troubles was worth it. In William Shakespeare 's Hamlet soliloquy, Hamlet opened the text with a question: “to be, or not to be?” (Shakespeare). I believe that Hamlet was asking whether it would be better to kill himself or to continue along with the problems he had. Hamlet was dealing with the murder of his father that may have been committed by his stepfather. His views showed to be in favor of committing suicide and that it would be a quick and easy way to end all his problems. As Hamlet wonders his thoughts about suicide, he came upon the

    Read More

  • Suicide Soliloquy in Hamlet

    1222 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Hamlet, Hamlet wants to avenge his father’s death, but wonders whether the struggle of living and carrying through with his plans is worth the hardships, or if death is a better option. Shakespeare writes a soliloquy where Hamlet discusses with himself whether he should live or die. Shakespeare discusses the idea of suicide through metaphors, rhetorical questions, and repetition until Hamlet decides that he is too afraid of death to commit suicide.

    Read More

  • The Evil In Hamlet

    1163 Words  | 3 Pages

    Hamlet’s thoughts are constantly darkened by suicide and death. Hamlet can be seen as suicidal in one of his first soliloquies. “O, that this too too solid flesh would melt / Thaw and resolve itself into a dew, / Or that the Everlasting had not fixed / His canon 'gainst self-slaughter. O God. God” (Ham. 1. 2. 129-132). This shows Hamlet wishes his "flesh would melt" because his mother's actions have made the world completely corrupted. Hamlet also states that suicide or, "self-slaughter" is evil and a sin. Another example of Hamlets thoughts being consumed by evil and death can be seen in what may be his most famous soliloquy. Hamlets thoughts are so blackened by evil and death he wonders why everyone doesn’t commit suicide. “To be, or not to be: that is the question: / Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And by opposing end them? To die: to sleep” (Ham. 3. 1. 56-60). This shows Hamlet clearly pondering why he should live in a world of troubles when he could just kill himself. Hamlets’ pondering of death comes to a pinnacle in the notorious graveyard scene when Hamlet holds up the skull of Yorick, a court jester Hamlet knew when he was little. “That skull had a tongue in it, and could sing once. How the knave jowls it to the ground, as if it were Cain's jaw-bone, that did the first murder! It might be the pate of a poli...

    Read More

  • "To Be or not To Be:" Hamlet and His Suicidal Tendencies

    1106 Words  | 3 Pages

    William Shakespeare intended for Hamlet to be a tragic play of a hero: Hamlet. He does exactly that by allowing Hamlet to be exposed to suffering and being able to endure it without committing suicide. Although if one was to analyze the content of Hamlet’s “To be or not to be…” soliloquy once would realize that Hamlet is not really all that suicidal. However, there are moments throughout the play that arise the suspicion of Hamlet to no longer be able to endure the suffering and pain in his life. Hamlet’s judgment can be distorted when he does not act using reason but rather emotional impulse. His ability to accept and embrace suffering and pain, allows him to realize how valuable his life truly is.

    Read More

  • Hamlet Act 3 Scene 1: To Be or Not To Be

    580 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” Soliloquy in act 3, scene 1, reveals that Hamlet is a thoughtful and calculating character attempting to be cautious. Hamlet is looking at the prospect of killing himself from all viewpoints. In Hamlet’s soliloquy shakespeare strikes home with a pivotal human conc...

    Read More

  • Personality Traits Of Hamlet

    503 Words  | 2 Pages

    In this soliloquy Hamlet once again talks about suicide. He says he would like to get rid of his endless troubles by killing himself, because in death he can sleep and have no worries.

    Read More

  • An Analysis of Mortality in Hamlet by William Shakespeare

    2189 Words  | 5 Pages

    In his tragedy Hamlet, William Shakespeare explores and analyzes the concept of mortality and the inevitability of death through the development of Hamlet’s understanding and ideology regarding the purpose for living. Through Hamlet’s obsessive fascination in understanding the purpose for living and whether death is the answer, Shakespeare analyzes and interprets the meaning of different elements of mortality and death: The pain death causes to others, the fading of evidence of existence through death, and the reason for living. While due to the inevitable and unsolvable mystery of the uncertainty of death, as no being will ever empirically experience death and be able to tell the tale, Shakespeare offers an answer to the reason for living through an analysis of Hamlet’s development in understanding death.

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Soliloquy - To be, or not to be

    1219 Words  | 3 Pages

    In this soliloquy, Shakespeare strikes a chord with a fundamental human concern: the validity and worthiness of life. Would it not be easier for us to simply enter a never-ending sleep when we find ourselves facing the daunting problems of life than to "suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune"? However, it is perhaps because we do not know what this endless sleep entails that humans usually opt against suicide. "For in that sleep of death what dreams may come / When we have shuffled off this mortal coil / Must give us pause. " Shakespeare seems to understand this dilemma through his character Hamlet, and thus the phrase "To be, or not to be" has been immortalized; indeed, it has pervaded our culture to such a remarkable extent that it has been referenced countless times in movies, television, and the media.

    Read More

  • Soliloquy Essays - Analysis of Hamlet's Soliloquies

    630 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his most famous soliloquy, Hamlet ponders whether he should take action against his "sea of troubles" and seek revenge for his father's death or live with the pain of his father's murder. Hamlet's weakness is later illustrated when he passes up the opportunity to kill Claudius by rationalizing that he has made peace with God, therefore sending him to Heaven if he were to be slain. In addition to his proposal of vengeance, he also contemplates whether it is better to stay alive or commit suicide. "To die, to sleep--/No more--and by a sleep to say we end/The heartache and the thousand natural shocks/That flash is heir to--'tis a consummation/Devoutly to be wished" (III,i,68-71). If he were to sleep, he feels that all his troubles would vanish, and this would not be such a bad thing. However, he says that if he were to sleep, he might have disturbing dreams while in slumber which would be wholly undesirable. Hamlet knows that what he wishes to do to his uncle is sinful and wrong, but it is this train of thought that leaves him in a state of anxiety. This soliloquy portrays Hamlet as a sort of coward because he can not act upon his own emotions and desires. In order to escape his heartache, he cowardly thinks about killing himself. Nevertheless, Hamlet's resolve makes a dramatic turn by the time he recites his soliloquy of Act IV, Scene iv.

    Read More

More about Hamlets famous soliloquy

Open Document