To Be Or Not To Be

A detailed Summary of To Be Or Not To Be

The most notable line by Hamlet in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet is " To be, or not to be, that is the question." Hamlet's statement defines the central theme of the play and provides the reader with insight into Hamlet's psychological dilemma. His self-inquiry is a projection of what will occur in the play. Again and again, Shakespeare brings us back to Hamlet's plight: can he act or is he paralyzed by cowardice? Throughout the play Hamlet is unable to come to a concrete resolution of avenging his father's death, whether to kill Claudius, and reconciling himself to his mother marrying his uncle. Hamlet's indecisive personality determines how he deals with these issues.

At the very outset of the play, Barnardo sets the stage by posing the question "Who's there?" (I,i,3) Little does the reader know at this time that this question will be repeatedly asked in different forms throughout the play. Who is Hamlet? And does Hamlet really know who he is himself? Will the "real" Hamlet step forward and be a decisive and righteous avenger of his father's death or will he be a timid and irresolute fumbler unable to make up his mind about matters of life and

Hamlet is presented with the opportunity to kill Claudius in the chapel, but instead decides to wait for a better time to avenge his father's death. As Hamlet dangles the sword over Claudius he muses to himself, "And am I then revenged/ To take him in the purging of his should, / When he is fit and seasoned for his passage? / No" (III, iii, 74-96). But delay and procrastination do not work to his advantage. Although Hamlet has the intention of killing Claudius at this moment, he hesitates again and gives a lengthy speech to himself. This self-analysis is inadequate. All Hamlet can do is analyze his predicament. AS much as he strongly believes that his father's death must be redressed, he cannot take definite response. If he truly had the desire and will to accomplish his objective, he would have used the opportunity to achieve this specific task. Hamlet does not create a situation in which he can assassinate Claudius, but again he chances upon the defenseless King. Even when the situation appears right he cannot act. He is a coward psychologically torn into pieces of inaction.. Hamlet tries to rationalize why he will not kill the king, " Now might I do it pat, now a is a-praying," (III, iii,73). Unfortunately, Hamlet's rationalizations about why he cannot seize the moment exacerbate his cowardice and inability to take a definite course of action. Hamlet's inability to kill Claudius in the chapel is another example of Prince Hamlet's irresolute manner and cowardly behavior. He is not mature enough to form and create opportunities to attain the ultimate goal for which he strives and plans.

Lastly, when Hamlet does kill Claudius, it a chance incident that cannot be appreciated by Hamlet because he too is fatally injured. Hamlet is pitted against Laertes in duel, which Claudius deviously thinks up. Hamlet is to be killed by a sword with poison at the tip and then "If he by cha

Some common words found in the essay are:
Elsinore II, Hamlet Hamlet, William Shakespeare's, Lastly Hamlet, Laertes Hamlet, Claudius Hamlet, King Claudius, Unfortunately Hamlet's, Prince Hamlet's, Ii3 Little, father's death, kill claudius, death hamlet, hamlet indecisive, throughout play, play hamlet, father's death hamlet, hamlet's indecisive, avenge father's, hamlet resolve, avenging father's, hamlet fatally injured, throughout play hamlet, hamlet opportunity kill, avenge father's death,

Approximate Word count = 1287
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English