Question

Read the following extract and answer the questions:

Hamlet puts forth his thesis statement at the beginning. 'To be or not to be' [to continue to exist or not]

1. How does he elaborate his proposition in lines 3-6?
2. Which lines bring out Hamlet's pessimism?
3. What dream does Hamlet refer to in lines 10 and 11?

Answer 1

1. Hamlet explains that the choice is between suffering the troubles and injustices of life or ending them through death.
2. The lines “The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” and “Or to take arms against a sea of troubles” bring out his pessimistic view of life.
3. He refers to the unknown dreams or experiences that may come after death. The uncertainty about what happens after death makes people hesitate to end their lives.