Throughout the soliloquy, readers notice a common underlying theme of Hamlet’s fear of death because of the unknown afterlife. Shakespeare uses diction such as “undiscovered country” and “no traveler returns” to emphasize humanity’s fear of what comes after death. The way Hamlet describes death with these words shows his fear for what may happen after he dies, and how death is basically “undiscovered” and unknown to mankind.

(Opposing point of view below)

While many think Hamlet feared death, some view him as facing death head on and discussing it freely to the audience without holding back. Papova shares Montaigne’s beliefs that coordinate with Hamlet’s. He says, “Let us learn bravely to stand our ground, and fight him.” In the soliloquy, Shakespeare has Hamlet perform to the audience why he wants to die, and Hamlet bravely is naming all the reasons death should concur him. Like Montaigne, Hamlet is attacking death head-on by questing to be or not to be free through his performance. 

 

Since ideas in Shakespeare's "To Be" Soliloquy has similar concepts of death, it also offers some glimpses into Hamlet's complex mind that may help us be more understanding toward people in today's society. While he contemplates suicide, he says, "Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune...And by opposing end them:" (lines 2-6) This shows the eternal struggle that most suicide victims (in this case, Hamlet) have. It lets us understand the emotional turmoil that comes with questions like, "Should I continue living, only to suffer longer? Or should I stop my suffering and stop my living?"  

 

     Hamlet believes that people put up with their lives because they fear the unknown. The comment "or to take arms against a sea of troubles" (3.1.4) leads me to think that he agrees with this in a sense. However, Hamlet focuses his thoughts more on the idea that death is the route to free oneself from the struggles of life. I think Hamlet addresses more so on why someone should die and less on the precautions.

 

1) Hamlet contemplates death, debating back and forward between the uncertainty of suicide and the suffering of living. He explains how death is a "consummation devoutly to be wished", yet few carry through with it in fear of "the undiscovered country". In the end, Hamlet concludes that it is easier to endure the pains of life than risk the unknown being even worse.

2) In his soliloquy, Hamlet claims that people are motivated to continue living by "the dread of something after death". This coincides with Montaigne's essay, where he appoints "the understanding of death as a prerequisite for life, for the very art of living.

Response to Divya.
I agree that Hamlet's perspective is pretty pessimistic, and people should try to enjoy life instead of focusing on negativity.

 

The undiscovered country Hamlet describes is a metaphor for death rather than sleep. Hamlet states that in "the undiscovered country… no traveler returns" (III.i). This statement of no one returning has a negative connotation, therefore alluding to death.

 

The undiscovered country Hamlet describes is a metaphor for death rather than sleep. Hamlet states that in "the undiscovered country… no traveler returns" (III.i). This statement of no one returning has a negative connotation, therefore alluding to death.

He argues that he has unfinished business with his family. Hamlet still needs to take his revenge out on Claudius. While very brief Hamlet does contemplate how Ophelia would react. He has the fear of leaving the people he loves behind.

    

Data: In the speech, Hamlet desires to end all the troubles of his life by killing himself, but he goes on to the say that the "sleep of death" makes the "calamity of so long life".  

Warrant: Hamlet's fear of death overcomes his desire to commit suicide, because the "dreams" after existence are forever unknown. 

 

Claim: At this particular point in the play, Hamlet definitely feels indecisive.  

Data": The beginning phrase of the soliloquy, "To be, or not to be", conveys his indecisive feelings towards ending his life.  

Warrant: Hamlet questions life and death at the start as he fears afterlife and the certainty of the ghost regarding the death of his father. However, Hamlet continues to ponder lingering questions and never comes to a conclusion. 

Response to Jeremy: 
I agree that Hamlet isn't deliberately acting mad because of others watching him. However, I don't think he's acting the way he is because he's depressed. I think he's acting "mad", because he saw the ghost.

 

[Lulu Sui]: 

In the soliloquy, Hamlet contemplates his own suicide due to the rough hurtles of life he has gone through. His uncle marries to his mother far too quick after his father's death, his lover ignores him for a while, and he finds out that his ghost father was murdered by his uncle. Hamlet wonders why humans stay alive to suffer pain they know will come. He comes to a conclusion that staying in a known world seems better than jumping into the unknown lands of death. "To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles And by opposing end them." He questions which decision would be correct and then he wonders more of the eternal sleep of death. "To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there's the rub: For in that sleep of death what dreams may come, When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause—there's the respect That makes calamity of so long life. For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, Th'oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely," The unknown sleep could bring them to a dream of paradise, but the people still try to live the longest life they can despite all the shortcomings because it is unknown. People tend to stay in their comfort zone in a place which is familiar and known by them instead of stepping out of the circle to try new things. The new thing here is a permanent decision where you can't go back on, so of course no one dares to try it out unless life is already too hard to bear. People who commit suicide probably couldn’t stand it. Hamlet, however, could stand his life and kept on going. He didn't really come to decision and could come back to the question later, but for now he is on standby which is to continue to live and still wonder if death is the best option.  [2] Hamlet also shows some traits of strengths in reasoning with himself and finding a logical reason on why people don't usually 🤬 themselves. " The undiscovere'd country, from whose bourn No traveller returns, puzzles the will, And makes us rather bear those ills we have Than fly to others that we know not of? Thus conscience does make cowards of us all, And thus the native hue of resolution." Death is unknown territory, so the people don't try it out. They continue to bear the suffering moments life gives. 

I also think Shakespeare portrays Hamlet as superior and a hero, but in reality, he is often cowardly. In the soliloquy, Hamlet says its cowardly to be scared of the future, yet he is also not killing himself because he does not know his future. It reminds me of Gilgamesh because he is also portrayed as superior, but he is always dependent on Enkidu for most battles.

     The siloquy, "To Be or Not To Be", is about whether Hamlet should 🤬 himself or not. I think that it is a very important question to ask yourself, but I think no action should be taken. I also think that it is good to ask yourself that question, but I don’t think you should 🤬 yourself. If you are living a life the you feel is worthless, than you should change the way you live. I think there are better ways to change your life, rather than just simply ending it all. There have been multiple people that have attempted to 🤬 themselves, and failed. They then realize how important life is, and change the way they look at life. They live happier and make others happy. 

 

     The siloquy, "To Be or Not To Be", is questioning the afterlife. Hamlet is questioning the afterlife, and what is in store for his after he dies. He thinks that people are only scared of death because people don’t know what is next. Hamlet thinks that if afterlife is reviled, then people won't be so scared of life, and will able to live a peaceful life. Me, for example, cant live with a peaceful mind because of the constant remind of death. Many people I know have died, and I wonder what happens to them, I also wonder what will happen to me when it is my time to go. This question will never be answered and people will always continue to fear death until it is answered. 

 

     Responding to Omeed, I also agree that the siloquy is about the fear of afterlife. I think its stunning how with all these new technological advances and the amount of time that humans have been alive, there still is not a certain answer to afterlife. What happens when we die, I guess we will never know.