Analyzing Hamlet S to Be Or Not to Be Soliloquy

Analyzing Hamlet’s “To Be or Not To Be” Soliloquy English IV AP / Mrs. Ramos

There are varying ways to interpret Hamlet’s most famous soliloquy. Your interpretation will have to be based on what you know of Hamlet’s situation, and what you believe he might think about life based on his character and previous soliloquies. Use the steps below to uncover what Hamlet seems to be saying about his life, its importance or unimportance, and the nature of the afterlife.

On your copy of the soliloquy:

1. Take the soliloquy a sentence at a time and paraphrase what Hamlet seems to be thinking.

2. Locate imagery that refers to the uncertainty of death.

3. Identify imagery that refers to the negative experiences of life.

4. Locate, identify and mark evidence of the following comparisons: A. life on earth = B. afterlife = C. death = D. humans = E. thinking =

5. Identify at least three oppositions present in the arguments Hamlet makes. Mark them in your text.

6. What eternal philosophical questions does Hamlet ponder?

7. What conclusions does Hamlet draw while pondering?

8. How is Hamlet’s 4th soliloquy different from the three that precede it?

RESPONSE: Create a thesis statement and write your ideas about the following question: What conflict does Hamlet seem to be most burdened with at this point in the drama? Justify your response with the use of your own commentary as well as quotations from the soliloquy.

HOMEWORK: Read III, 2 for Monday, 3/2/09 We will work with the other portion of III, 1 on Monday (Hamlet and Ophelia converse, Polonius and Claudius talk about what they’ve seen.). There will probably be some acting. We will also begin discussing III, 2 but it is long, so plan ahead and be prepared to discuss / ask questions about all of III, 2. Continue to note: - imagery dealing with rot, decomposing, crumbling, decline - internal / external ideas - examples of literary devices (continue your list)