Who said to be or not to be that is the question and why?
Hamlet is a notable literary work by William Shakespeare. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Hamlet.
Answer
Who said to be or not to be that is the question and why?
The famous line “To be, or not to be, that is the question” is spoken by Prince Hamlet in William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet. The soliloquy in which this line appears is one of the most well-known speeches in English literature and is often interpreted as a reflection on the nature of life and death.
Hamlet speaks this line in Act III, Scene I, after contemplating the possibility of suicide. He is struggling with the idea of whether it is better to continue living and facing the challenges and pain of life, or to end his suffering by taking his own life.
The phrase “to be or not to be” refers to the choice between existence and non-existence, and it encapsulates the central theme of the play, which is the struggle between life and death, reality and illusion, action and inaction.
Throughout the speech, Hamlet explores the pros and cons of both choices, pondering the consequences of each. He contemplates the idea that death might bring an end to the pain and suffering he is experiencing, but also questions what comes after death, and whether it might be worse than the pain he is currently enduring.
The phrase “to be or not to be” refers to the existential question of whether it is better to live or die, and Hamlet’s soliloquy explores the complexities of this question, ultimately leading to his decision to continue living despite the challenges he faces.