What does it mean to you?
2006-11-11 02:45:41 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
If existence means suffering, why is it not better to NOT exist? Why do people go on suffering? Because they don't know what happens after death, which makes them cowards. Hamlet finally makes up his mind not to be afraid to die.
This is the Shakespearean meaning, which is the only actual meaning of a quote from Shakespeare.
2006-11-11 02:50:57 · answer #1 · answered by Bad Kitty! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just because some Shakespere coined those words and some Vanessa Redgrave portrayed on the stage these words are constantly associated with some sad feelings and thoughts.
In actual practice we encounter this dilemma everyday. It tells me about man`s fickle minded attotude to anything in life. The average man is plagued by this weakness all the time.
2006-11-11 11:24:39 · answer #2 · answered by YD 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inane perhaps but I have a T Shirt stating that quote. The image on the shirt is of an ape, posed as the "THINKER" is.
Think about it.
Steven Wolf
2006-11-11 13:07:11 · answer #3 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means to make a decision/choice.
Are you or aren't you?
Do you or don't you?
Yes or no?
For example: Will you be the person you really are or will you choose to be the person others want you to be?
2006-11-11 11:46:58 · answer #4 · answered by Bethany 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it means that youre making a life decision, should you be a member of society, a corporate scumbag, or should you just lay down and die. lol. unfortunately, thats probably not what shakespeare meant by it.
2006-11-11 10:48:43 · answer #5 · answered by L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Hamlet's soliloquoy he is contemplating suicide.
To me, it means to ask oneself if you are a human BEing or a human DOing.
2006-11-11 10:50:29 · answer #6 · answered by Linda R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to be or not be means , if something is meant going after to you then do it but if you know its not worth it then leave it alone
2006-11-11 10:53:14 · answer #7 · answered by Crystal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To face reality or turn toward emotional escape.
2006-11-11 10:48:05 · answer #8 · answered by Isis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two choices , to be , that is to function in life and contribute, not to be , is to say the hell with eeverything and commit suicide.
2006-11-11 10:49:30 · answer #9 · answered by DEADGONE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Frank Sinatra when he describes it as " Do be do be do "
2006-11-11 13:48:02 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋