Hamlet Outline

Mariana Goncalves

Mr. George

AP World Literature

15 January 2014

Hamlet Outline: Prompt 7

Thesis:

The "To be or not to be" speech is one of the most famous in literature, yet it is deeply incongruous with the character Hamlet as it is a result of him performing for the other characters around him. This speech is not appropriate for Hamlet the character but is an excellent representation of Hamlet the text because the content can be applied to various situations rather than being a description of Hamlet’s personal experiences.

 

A. Unlike Hamlet’s previous soliloquies, this one is impersonal and generalized to a degree where it could ultimately be applied to many aspects of life.

    1. “To be or not to be: that is the question” (III.i.64).

a. The soliloquy already opens with an ambiguous phrase. The vague pronoun, “that”, is not specified and the action which the phrase is referring to is not specified either. It can be interpreted in various ways.

 

B. Hamlet’s awareness that there are people spying on him causes him to hesitate and predetermine what he is saying; therefore, the speech is not a real representation of what is happening in Hamlet’s mind.

1. “The undiscover’d country from whose bourn No traveler returns” (III.i.86-87).

a. This is a contradictory line because Hamlet is saying that there is no return after death. It is obvious that he is lying because he has talked to a ghost. His entire motive has been predicated by the claims of a ghost. Since he knows that he is being spied on, Hamlet hides this aspect in order to eliminate the risk of anyone finding out.

b. Hamlet is putting on a sane façade to hide his constant inner turmoil.

 

C. The soliloquy consists of universal ideas which can relate to everyone. It is philosophical contemplation on life and morals. In retrospect, the “To Be or Not To Be” speech stands a representation of the play as a whole.

1. “The oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely, The pangs of despised love, the law’s delay, The insolence of office and the spurns That patient merit of the unworthy takes, When he himself might his quietus make With a bare bodkin?” (III.i. 79-84).

    a. The complaints suggested in the speech are not specific to one character. It contains not personal pronouns or personal experiences. The topics being discussed are universal, applying to each and every character in a different way.

    b. There are no references to religion throughout the entire speech.