2007-05-10 12:26:55 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Quotations
His most logical and powerful examination of the theme of the moral legitimacy of suicide in an unbearably painful world, it touches on several of the other important themes of the play. Hamlet poses the problem of whether to commit suicide as a logical question: “To be, or not to be,” that is, to live or not to live.
2007-05-10 12:32:36 · answer #1 · answered by Barkley Hound 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's tired of being alive, as can be seen in the sentence which follows it.
As he also explains to his former friends, who are later led by Hamlet's murderous uncle to plot Hamlet's own death and instead engineer their own, "I have of late, but wherefore I know not, lost all my mirth."
Well, fear not. In the end, the question is answered at the point of a poisoned sword, and he is not to be.
2007-05-10 19:59:28 · answer #2 · answered by open4one 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To live or not to live. Hamlet was considering suicide the entire play.
2007-05-10 19:29:20 · answer #3 · answered by Skyla 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hamlet is contemplating the idea of killing himself. He starts by
saying, 'to exist or not to exist
2007-05-10 19:56:17 · answer #4 · answered by kelsey 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"to be or not to be, that is the question," --should i live or should i kill myself?--
"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?"
--would i be consitered a better person if i just delt with my problems or should i just kill myself and get it over with?--
basically the whole monologue is him talking out loud about what are good reasons that he should end it and what are good reasons that he should live...he is really quite unsure about what to do
2007-05-11 01:33:13 · answer #5 · answered by Kendra N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
reading this monologue 100s of times in school and acting this out a couple more, it means to know who you are what things mean to you. to be or not to be can also be said should i do this or not. its words to yourself, like talking to yourself and coming up with a solution on what you will do.
hope that helps
2007-05-10 19:34:45 · answer #6 · answered by countingjoel 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He's pondering whether he should face all of the hardships he has to endure in life or to commit suicide.
2007-05-10 19:29:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This doesn't help you, but I thought I'd share:
“To Do Is To Be.” — Socrates
“To Be Is To Do.” — Sartre
“Do Be Do Be Do.” — Sinatra
2007-05-11 19:04:08 · answer #8 · answered by Seebs 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means just that. To be or not to be. It is or it isn't. Should I or shouldn't I.
2007-05-10 19:30:20 · answer #9 · answered by konawa925 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"To be or not to be"..."so like the king THAT was and IS THE QUESTION of these wars"
2007-05-11 12:09:35 · answer #10 · answered by Ray Eston Smith Jr 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋