Before I read Hamlet, I had often heard the quote “To be, or not to be, that is the question,” (57) and wondered where the quote had originated and what exactly it meant. It is easy to misinterpret when it is heard out of the context of the Hamlet story. In fact, it is easy to misinterpret within the story or not acknowledge the depth of meaning in the quote.
To my surprise the famous quote came from one of Hamlet’s soliloquies spoken to Ophelia. Hamlet’s soliloquy investigates questions regarding life and death and the fear of the unknown. Hamlet verbally tries to sort out his feelings by speaking of suicide as a subject not directly relevant to himself. When he is discussing death, he could also be referring to the pending murder of Claudius. Hamlet never uses I, rather in his most famous quote he says “to be, or not to be” which could be referring to anyone. Hamlet struggles to understand “whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer” (58) or the “conscience does make cowards of us all” (84). Hamlet does not know if he should stay alive and carry out revenge for his father’s death as his father’s ghost directed him, or if he is being a coward by being scared of the unknown (his own death). Hamlet reasons that man is only scared of death because “no traveler returns, puzzles the will, and makes us rather bear those ills we have,” (82). Sometimes a negative situation is easier to deal with than a future that is uncertain. While the unknown could be better than the present predicament, it may also be worse.
Another element of the soliloquy that should be analyzed is what Hamlet’s intentions are as he is speaking. Depending upon if the reader thinks Hamlet is acting crazy as an act to fool everyone or if Hamlet has indeed gone mad, the scene will be interpreted differently. If Hamlet is not mad, he may anticipate that he is being spied upon. Then Hamlet would know people were listening, and he may deliver the speech with the intention to get a particular reaction. If Hamlet is crazy, the speech shows an inside look at the convoluted brain of a mad man. He is trying to reason the best way to lead his life or find excuses to put an end to it. Regardless, Hamlet’s thoughts focus on the subject of death and the mysteries around it.
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3 comments:
Dear EA,
Your blog was really interesting since I also had the same question when I first started reading Hamlet! Your usage of quotes really supported your ideas and they were inserted skillfully and thoughtfully. I think it's very interesting to analyze the "depth of meaning in the quote" as you put it, since this play is not one dimensional in any sense and since words can be interpreted in so many ways. I really liked your blog and I think it was very well written and thought out.
Sincerely,
JF
Erin,
I enjoyed your blog and I can say that it sincerely helped as a motivator and guide to understand the passage for myself. Though it is an extremely well-known passage, you were able to bring your own voice and analysis to it, Great job!
Erin--you ask good questions about a famous passage. I like that you notice the absence of first person, something found in all of Hamlet's other speeches. Here are my opinions about your questions:
1. He's not mad but is perfectly rational at the moment.
2. He's not talking to Ophelia yet but just thinking.
3. Even though he doesn't refer to himself, the speech is very personal and is all about himself.
4. At the beginning of the speech, I think he believes he is alone. Later, maybe, he begins to wonder if someone is listening, but the speech itself is so honest it seems more like his private thoughts.
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