Wednesday, October 9, 2013
To be or not to be
Since this is the most famous Soliloquy of Hamlet, it is a bit intimidating trying to analyze it because so many others have done a better job. What I first picked up from this soliloquy was that it was about death, more specifically suicide. Hamlet is contemplating whether to take his own life or not. Before, I assumed he was depressed through the entire soliloquy and just wish "to sleep." As I began to translate, I saw that there were a few problems. One of the problems was the fear of what will be waiting for him in the afterlife. This is shown when Hamlet says, "...but the dread of something after death, the undiscovered country...makes us rather bear those ills we have, than to fly others that we know not of." It is clear that he wishes to end his life, but cannot be sure of what will welcome him in the next world. He rather live in the hell he is living now, than to entire an unknown world. There is also the problem of getting revenge for his father's death, which means his life cannot end until that task is accomplished. Hamlet says, "For who would bear the Whips and Scorns of time, the oppressor's wrong..." This addresses his uncle and how his deed of killing his father will not be forgotten.
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