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Comparison of the "To be, or not to be" speech in the first three editions of Hamlet, showing the varying quality of the text in the Bad Quarto, the Good Quarto, and the First Folio. "To be, or not to be" is a speech given by Prince Hamlet in the so-called "nunnery scene" of William Shakespeare's play Hamlet (Act 3, Scene 1).
The monologue, spoken in the play by Prince Hamlet to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern in Act II, Scene 2, follows in its entirety. Rather than appearing in blank verse, the typical mode of composition of Shakespeare's plays, the speech appears in straight prose:
4 Act V. Toggle Act V subsection. 4.1 Scene 1. ... Hamlet Act 2, scene 2, 431–440 ... Scene 4. Hoist with his own petard
He is seen to be an able monarch (notwithstanding the unfavourable comparison to his murdered predecessor in Hamlet's first soliloquy) as well as a smart thinker and smooth talker, who in Act IV, Scene 5 converts Laertes from rebel to accomplice. [4] In Act III, Claudius bludgeons, [clarification needed] and attempts to pray in Scene 3, even as ...
Hamlet stabs Polonius through the curtain he is hiding behind as Queen Gertrude looks on, as part of The Closet Scene in Hamlet act 3, scene 4. [5] The phrase occurs in Hamlet act 3, scene 4, [6] as a part of one of Hamlet's speeches in the Closet Scene. [a] Hamlet has been acting mad to throw off suspicion that he is aware that his uncle ...
A soliloquy (/ s ə ˈ l ɪ l. ə. k w i, s oʊ ˈ l ɪ l. oʊ-/, from Latin solo "to oneself" + loquor "I talk", [1] plural soliloquies) is a monologue addressed to oneself, thoughts spoken out loud without addressing another character. [2] [3] Soliloquies are used as a device in drama. In a soliloquy, a character typically is alone on a stage ...
Hamlet, Act IV, Scene V (Ophelia Before the King and Queen), Benjamin West, 1792. In Ophelia's first speaking appearance in the play, [3] she is seen with her brother, Laertes, who is leaving for France. Laertes warns her that Hamlet, the heir to the throne of Denmark, does not have the freedom to marry whomever he wants.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern tell the Queen that they will have Hamlet play a leading part in some court theatricals to distract him. Hamlet enters, and she begs them to prevent him from soliloquising. Hamlet begins, "To be – or not to be," but they interrupt him, turning the soliloquy into a trio, and urging him to commit suicide.