Hamlet #5

In this section of the play, Hamlet recites one of the most famous of Shakespeare's soliloquies, in which he discusses the concept of death and what it really means to people. The very first line, "to be or not be - that is the question" (III.i.64), presents life and suicide as two equally considerable options. He describes life as a courageous struggle to endure suffering and suicide is a proactive opposition of those abuses. he asks though, if death is an escape from the pain of life, then why don't people choose to die. his only explanation is that "in that sleep of death what dreams may come, /[...]/ Must give us pause" (III.i.74-76). This confuses him however given that no one has ever come and told them that what comes after death is worse than life. This debate is interesting, because in Shakespeare's time most people subscribed to some form of Christianity which would certainly answer their questions about what came after death. Perhaps in writing this passage Shakespeare wanted to question this general lack of trust in religion, or possibly he wanted to show that Hamlet has completely divorced himself from faith and religion.