Adrian Lester as Hamlet: ‘To be or not to be’ | Shakespeare Solos

Adrian Lester speaks Hamlet’s soliloquy from act III, scene 1, in which the prince reflects on mortality and considers taking his own life. To mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, we asked leading actors to perform key speeches from his plays.
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[@oaknuggens]

To finally see a version where Hamlet is exhausted instead of impassioned is refreshing. Actors get so into "it's the most famous soliloquy of all time!" part and overact it and give him so much energy when he's literally contemplating suicide. He's not impassioned, he's *empty*

[@amegreycat]

Well said 👏🏻

[@calcifer6023]

I think there is a perfect medium of this and it's why I prefer Andrew Scott's above most

[@sulla1537]

Meh, this is just reading lines

[@israelfl9res266]

Dear sir Greetings An exhausted man will easily give up A young energetic idealistic man most likely fight back without paying too much attentionto the potential unexpected consequences. Remember sometimes justice does not work as quickly as we expected. Thank you Israel Flores

[@chromatikus2297]

I get what you are trying to say, but I think you have to consider, that theatre is or at least can be a place for being over the top, for dramatic heightening of reality as opposed to simply its reflection. Hence why it also has rich dialogue even though no one would talk like this in the every day life. I think both styles of acting this have their fair place, to me its just important that the choice is made with intend and thought behind it.

[@2ndRatePetronius]

This is one of my all-time favorite performances of this soliloquy. Adrian Lester's world-weary interpretation is pitch-perfect.

[@sullicait]

Absolutely.

[@devonwalter6053]

I agree with that! I also love Daniel May's "Is this a dagger i see before me" speech. His timing and his inflections are great.

[@prattzencodes7221]

Please see Sir Derek Jacobi, you will love that performance.

[@shelleyparker4160]

Yep, the best in my humble opinion. He is engaged in this dialogue with himself, which is what the moment is about. It’s not an actor presenting questions to an audience, but a potent, eminent of fatality, conversation with oneself about whether life is worth living when life is in despair.

[@francoisbessing]

Yes.

[@katiegould6609]

Wow, this interpretation makes me feel exhausted FOR Hamlet. No wonder he can't choose a course of action; he's so drained from everything that he can barely do anything at all! Usually the vigor in Hamlet interpretations makes me frustrated (oh my god stop running around and stab the uncle already!) but this one makes me empathize with Hamlet SO MUCH MORE.

[@onlybirdfly]

Cute

[@thil2894]

@@onlybirdfly cute? why? (I'm just curious Nothing else)

[@LordVader1094]

@@thil2894 Probably referring to her profile picture. Das it

[@twtwtravellingwiththewind5201]

Where is the fire?

[@sidharthaa]

Try watching Haider. It’s an adaptation of Hamlet in Bollywood. And it’s on Netflix. And see this particular scene with subtitles on that will show you the perfection on how to deliver To be or not to be. Please do watch it once

[@markorollo.]

This is the Shakespeare I like, not over acted with arms outstretched etc, just, real.

[@bahiyyah19]

I AM I agree but I still think this is good in its own sense!

[@fluo9576]

I AM did you really say that

[@theyellowmeteor]

All plays that existed before the invention of cameras and microphones were intended to be acted out with grandiose gestures and melodramatic voices, so that people in the back ca hear and see what was going on. What you recognize as "god acting" is only a product of your time, but Shakespeare was meant to be acted the way you don't like. But whatever, nothing wrong with having a preference.

[@Shay45]

Video vs live plays are very different Actors are forced to use great voices and gestures in order to be seen by the audience

[@WhirlOmar]

Arms outstretched is not overreacting if you do it truthfully.

[@michaelharrington8401]

A well-trained actor at the top of his game making Shakespeare come alive. That's why we're still watching his plays all these centuries later, and why actors want to speak those words.

[@WorgenGrrl]

I love that he adds an air of emotional exhaustion in the soliloquy. I feel that when Hamlet reached this point, he was at the end of his rope. He was physically and emotionally drained by this experience.

[@smoothcriminal28]

This is a shining example that Shakespearean text doesn't need anything else than just internal truth. No hand gestures or exaggerated movements. The subtler, the better imo.

[@anthonynorman7545]

You're using one of the greatest speeches in the history of the language to be representative of _all_ of his work?

[@francoisbessing]

Fully agree.

[@drum5ormore2]

This, hands down, was the best interpretation of this passage I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

NO NO. the best is that of Paul Scofield!!!!!

[@datatulip]

This made me tear up a little! Beautifully acted. Truly brings out the tiredness that Hamlet feels.

[@bryanferriman4555]

Wonderful. This fine actor does more than tell a story . He draws us into the tormented mind of Hamlet. What we experience is a closeness to his despair. Two quality artists reminding us of the extraordinary power of British Theatre..

[@Yorgar]

also the way he faces the camera, to me also looks like he has his hands on our shoulders or on the back of our necks pulling us in as if begging us to listen to him.

[@tammyulgen6043]

This is the best I have heard... no artificial rhythm, yet with passion. He is believable as a man considering the end of his life. Bravo!

[@bdnightshade]

Love the subtle nuances he brings to the soliloquy. He begins with a quiet monotone that gradually intensifies, but never goes to the scene chewing too many actors fall prey to. You really feel Hamlet's weariness, grief and despair.

[@MeVsTheWorld01]

This rendition is beautiful. It's so calming to listen to, while watching a real representation of what Shakespeare is.

[@leiaf9521]

The pause between 'the' and 'undiscovered country' gave me chills a bit. I've done and seen this piece so many times and it's always different which is what's so great about Shakespeare

[@andrewlambert7464]

For some reason the KZbin AI sent me this video. Thank you! I've been a huge fan of Shakespeare since I was a child, raised by a learned grandfather who would read these famous passages to me. Hamlet has always been one of my favorites. I love this interpretation. Most often this speech is given with a touch (or more) of madness. But this- this performance is pure mental exhaustion portrayed with a very rare level of artistry... Well done...

[@brynnieluedde508]

Ol

[@noname36578]

This is absolutely one of my favourite interpretations! The monotony at the beginning really helps build up Hamlet's assessment of life. Fantastic!!

[@brendanj]

Unbelievable acting, great to see the Hamlet community coming together and showing love

[@sarahbegin1363]

There is such depth and life in his eyes and yet he focuses such death through them he could communicate the meaning of these powerful words without even the words themselves. Amazing! And this just makes me want to see the full Adrian Lester Hamlet! Anybody else?

[@TinaTr84]

This is by far the best rendition I've seen. Very matter-of-fact, very natural, and very touching. He actually captures Hamlet's despair and -quite frankly- exhaustion. He doesn't overact, which is just wonderful. And the eyes.... Bravo.

[@ovni2295]

Everyone knows the speech is about thinking about suicide, but by the end of it he has actually decided against it- Though he admits it is cowardly, he basically says at the end that thinking about it has changed his mind- his thoughts on the matter have become "sicklier with a pale cast of thought" and the idea of suicide, with great pitch and thought, turned awry. He wants to. He just can't bring himself to do it, he's afraid.

[@JohnPHulme]

That's a B-

[@QuidamByMoonlight]

Precisely. He goes with the devils he knows: The known ills of conscious living rather than the unknown ills that might await him after death.

[@TonyBittner-Collins]

More than suicide, I think Hamlet's conflicted about the ethics and morality behind seeking revenge (and his possible death) or doing nothing about it. He ponders the fear of the unknown after dying or the miserable life he'd continue having by his inaction. It all comes down to consequences.

[@johnathanbailes5542]

The intimacy of the performance and the emotion of the facial expressions really sells this performance home to me.

[@zodjenkins2595]

I like this actors quiet posing. He takes us to where the audience would wish to go, not held with bodily flamboyance but wistfully done with the intricacies of guilt and regret that weaves this piece.

[@Bruce-1956]

This is an excellent rendition, the eyes.

[@d.ag.b1135]

I would love to see a full production of Hamlet starring this man.

[@masterjunky863]

Black washing

[@Merkurio777]

He played Hamlet in Peter Brook's adaptation. You can find the DVD on amazon,

[@sbnwnc]

@@Merkurio777 The DVD is not available but you can stream it. However you have to search for "Hamlet 2002." It's kind of tricky to find the right version actually.

[@francoisbessing]

Yes please.

[@scarlettdamante4945]

Hey this made me feel less suicidal, so thanks for uploading. I was going to go down to the train station and sit on the tracks, but then I kept pausing and thinking about what he could mean. Hamlet still presents it as a question, to be or not to be is followed up with arguments from both sides. Thinking through each thing he says, elaborating on what he could see in his To Be arguments. Actually super helpful if you're even a little still on the fence about weather to be or...not.

[@cascharles3838]

Hey, I know it's been months, but I was wondering how you're doing now? I really hope you're okay, and I just wanted to say I do understand. Not many people see suicide as something that can be rationally thought about, but to me that's dismissive of so many people's feelings. I just wanted to remind you that there people out there who understand this feeling, from me to Shakespeare

[@alfredoca687]

Hope with all my heart that you may find your inner light and be happy girl, always remember to keep going. I was just like you... Then I discovered that meaning is real, you just have to look closer to your heart. Forge meaning, and build identity. It's a hard fight... But when you are done with it, you won't have to worry and suffer anymore, youll just live. Blessings ♥️

[@dragonade85]

I think this is the best version of the speech I've ever encountered. Beautiful tone and so much emotion... Wonderful.

[@JeffreySutton]

One of the best performances I have seen of this very difficult monologue. Tremendous work.

[@adams3627]

Not going to lie, hated it at the beginning, but by "aye, there's the rub" he had me. Like putty in his hands. There's something about the way his expression shifts, like he's shifted focus to a point beyond the 4th wall...behind the audience...

[@brandonbowles8024]

I may be a year late but: When he leans forward and the camera has to refocus. That's exactly he feeling I got. Like he's no longer talking to us, but speaking into the void beyond. That place at the other end of a thousand yard stare.

[@VonBlade]

The first performance of this most well-trod speech that made me *understand* it. It only took me forty years.

[@cyanidejunkie]

Precisely how this scene plays in my head. Absolutely brilliant.

[@lonewolf5238]

Arguably the best presentation of Hamlet's soliloquy I have seen. Except possibly Kenneth Branagh. Truly powerful and moving.

[@ayushram6182]

This has a whole new meaning when you're actually contemplating suicide...

[@Amalie.x7fv]

A girl in our community committed suicide the other day. If only she knew how much she was loved, how much she is missed. Don't let your worst days be your last- You are loved.

[@scribe11000]

If you’re in danger get help

[@whiteliketar]

Beautifully timed - a certain pause , a methodical rhythmic restraint - music and solace of the voice to the mind seeping into the soul as a salve .

[@margaritamarcos5981]

Me over here listening to this on repeat in order to memorize this for my English class...

[@silvercat7392]

you too? lmao

[@margaritamarcos5981]

@@silvercat7392 We had to channel our "inner Shakespeare" according to our teacher

[@greenspan11111]

I love the acting of Adrian Lester since I've seen him in the Primary Colors!..

[@TearYouApart360]

Amazing actor. I've seen dozens of people perform this scene, but his eyes makes me truly believe what he is contemplating.

[@Skytairy]

Damn that delivery is perfect.

[@_Glorie_]

Absolutely stunning. How he managed to make it his own, made me hear it in a completely different way, as if for the first time. I adored this ❤️

[@pradipnalodh]

What a wonderful way of delivery. Simple, elegant yet so truly performed from the heart. Adrian Lester is not an actor, but a performer who lives every moment.

[@iamSeanBrowne]

Have had my edge on this man ever since he spoke badly about actors who haven't attended a 'drama school'... This does not excuse or eradicate, but it is an excellent (IMHO) and painfully slight and beautiful incarnation of Hamlet at this time in his life. Well done and thank you Sir.

[@francoisbessing]

He got out of the way of the text and let the guide him. This is beyond.

[@evgeniachernysheva6215]

Wonderful performance, one of the best for me .

[@emm.9967]

beautiful beyond words

[@chrischapman6839]

Quite the finest delivery of this soliloquy that l can recall. This is not a collection of famous phrases declaimed to the whole world, but a man in weary self conversation. Wonderful.

[@stevienicked]

Absolutely superb.

[@carolw3876]

This is by far my favourite interpretation of Hamlet.

[@maxw.midgett4975]

I haven’t studied Shakespeare so I’m probably the least qualified person to discuss performance but for me at least, this is the best rendition of this monologue I have ever seen, the second being Kenneth Branagh‘ Arron the ‘96 movie. They approach it differently, with Branagh having a sense of confidence as he contemplates life and death, you get the feeling that he has the upper hand and exhumes a sense of power as he articulates his emotions to himself. Here, however, Lester seems so tired as if he’s been totally filled by the monotonous repetition in the emotions of life, that his eyes sag and dehumanize him. Imagine this monologue combined with the inward panning camerawork of the movie or even a distorting zoom. Beautiful interpretation.

[@camerartus]

He's made me rethink my way reciting it, that's for sure.

[@jordansmith8710]

Most do not understand what this is saying, but still find it captivating. It's even more beautiful when you understand it. Thank you English Literature A-level.

[@melissah287]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@MrSmartComment]

This is Hamlet's soliloquy delivered the right way. Just as Macbeth's Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow, it is induced by immense fatigue of life, by absolute hopelessness. Hamlet does not have the energy to have emotions anymore, his mind just keeps on thinking because that's what it's used to doing, but there is no hope or emotional energy, only the cold firing of neurons.

[@OpEditorial]

Basically the monologue inspiration for the Damien Hirst art installation "The physical impossibility of death in the mind of someone living" 🦈

[@kasetophono]

Yea this is absolutely haunting. Well done man!

[@clarissagafoor5222]

Adrian Lester,one of my favourite actors.

[@peterbrooke7146]

This captured me wholeheartedly i only knew of Adrian from Hustle but finding this wonderful performance through a university lecture has shown me how amazing of an actor he is! i don't know much about Shakespeare but honestly this makes me want to learn the speach!

[@camzpras3435]

You just close your eyes with this and just absorb what he is saying.... ahhh so perfect

[@kevinastraw]

Some criticize the metaphor "take arms against a sea" - but the attack by the Spanish Armada on England was only ten years old when Hamlet began to be written.

[@ArkhamKnight-uj6ww]

Adrian really brings the serious energy and empty mood in the mind and behaviour of hamlet in this memorable scene

[@johnreece5540]

Amazing how beautiful language is in the confines of unbridled rage and infinite grief.

[@MaynardGKrebs-gv4vy]

Saw a young David Warner play Hamlet in 1965. Best I have seen to date.

[@dianaprince3176]

Adrian Lester is perfectly cast here. Amazing performance!

[@giampaolotordini8355]

Così si recita! Che grandissimo attore! Grazie

[@Anna-ku7ws]

At first I figured this was going to be just another "To be or not to be" monologue, but wow, I wasn't expecting such a moving performance; the close-up camera coupled with the delivery of "to be... or not to be" seems to be pretty standard. I love the way I saw it performed by Shakespeare in Performance. Their Hamlet sang part of the monologue, and he has a fantastic voice. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2emfZd5oZ6HeJI (if you want to see it performed in the context of the play, you can head over to their Facebook page at facebook.com/TravisCurtright/ and check the "Videos" tab to see the full show!)

[@japhetzayas7194]

The timbre of Lester's resonant voice and his ability to stress the right syllables for emphasis makes for an exceptional rendition of Hamlets soliloquy.

[@shakespearaamina9117]

Such a Special performance! 🌷🌷

[@mariuszwiesiolek5777]

I like it, I can't take those screaming lunatics twisting and spitting on their chins from excitement. This is suppose to be an inner monologue of a tormented prince who have power to act on his meditations; he is suppose to be collected, melancholic, and of strong will. This is the Hamlet who knows classical thought of Greeks, and weight reason higher than whim.

[@expatphotographer8745]

" he is suppose to be collected, melancholic, and of strong will." Not in Act 3, scene 1, he absolutely is not. The last thing he is at this moment is collected. It's the opposite that is true: he is coming apart at the seems, flirting with madness and contemplating suicide. Strong will? This scene is precisely the moment in the play where his will collapses, as he literally says "Thus, conscious does make cowards of us all; and thus the native hue of resolution is sickerly with the pale cast of thought". It's patently backwards to point to this scene as Hamlet exemplying reason over whim; it is the apex of its opposite in fact.

[@SuperRONDALE]

@@expatphotographer8745 I agree bro

[@expatphotographer8745]

@@SuperRONDALE Lester's take here is genius, and the setting with the lighting and camera work, I'd bet money, was a driving factor. This is, after all, when you do see the overly subtle approach, especially the scene in isolation like that. Watching Act 3 Scene 1 played this way, between Act 2 scene 2 and the rest of Act 3, is quite jarring and doesn't work well at all.

[@benjaminking3677]

I get that people love this version of the monologue compared to other actors takes. But what you may not realize is that there’s a big difference being right in front of the camera compared to being live onstage. You’re supposed to do a bit of exaggeration when on stage so the audience can actually see and hear the expression used. Not denoting this version at all, in fact I loved the acting. Just thought I’d share this.

[@Weird_Quests]

Love the camera work and lighting here - I wonder hat they use.

[@expatphotographer8745]

Yeah, it is brilliant and beautiful. All but certainly why Lester chose the far more uncommon subtle approach to the scene. Fits together so amazingly well.

[@Weird_Quests]

@@expatphotographer8745 Exactly - the cinematography here really fits the mood of the scene and elevates it.

[@chaoticidiottt]

while looking at him and listening to him while reading the lines... I feel dread and anxiety like he was talking directly at me... this is also that of act i like the most

[@sacredgeometry]

This is the first reading I have heard where it sounds like the person reading it knows what the words even mean.

[@VILHELM1221]

Shakespeare would be proud

[@triples4good]

The. Best reading of Hamlet I have ever heard.

[@crocolagerfelden6142]

This is the best I have ever seen. Bravo!

[@McDonnelMark]

Truly brilliant!

[@mordiveer5957]

The exact question i ask myself right now. To be or not to be.

[@mordiveer5957]

No u

[@mordiveer5957]

@me hee Yaas queen you know it! Thanks for playing though!

[@patrycjaolewicz6770]

This is my favourite version

[@francoisbessing]

Consummate recitation. Thrilling. Steady. Paced. Retelling of form lost. Exceptional.

[@Smeegle653]

Adrian...you have taken this and made it your own nice Job 😊

[@williesanders3142]

This is so soul touching. Wow

[@eduardjones423]

yess guardian adrian lester is amazing

[@lewismatthews2898]

@IainRobb I've played the moor in Titus Andronicus and I am white. I've also seen a production of Othello where he was white and the rest of the cast was black. Completely believable and brilliant productions. Also... where in the script does it say Hamlet is white? And more importantly... why does it matter?

[@barryking3714]

It doesn't matter a bit and Lester's reading here is perfect

[@jamesduffy7549]

don't feed the troll, I can't see his comment but he popped up on Riz Ahmeds King Lear video, I wonder what problem he might have with both actors

[@MandyJMaddison]

This is absolutely brilliant. The actor fully comprehends the speech and coveys the passage of the character's changing thoughts. I don't think I have heard it done better.

[@josephlewis693]

So incredibly beautiful

[@asafindy]

Fascinating, compelling, mesmerizing, brilliant.

[@stupotgorilla]

Ooooooo givin me chills dude!

[@JM-fc9gm]

Absolutely perfect.

[@ruzickaw]

Too monotonous, too serious. In the next scene he is making fun with Ophelia. Thinking about death is just a mental game for Hamlet

[@thecucamberkick6159]

Entrancing. Brilliant

[@vladtepes97]

i love shakespeare, but it's hard for me to read plays in general, because i struggle keeping the characters and voices separate. but, try we must.

[@dhimanrahul8104]

this is great.... i don't know how to explain my feelings.

[@Bushra786]

Wonderful very nice

[@maxhalsted5381]

The voice was perfect

[@asellape9270]

I am not familiar with the source material or Mr. Lester’s work, and I was hesitant about his casting in ‘Sandman’ Season 2, but his voice would, I think, work quite well as Destiny of the Endless.

[@damionbutler2395]

beautiful because of thy cryptic message thus most do not yet understand, but I understand completely

[@MariPxikidze]

Really great performance💗

[@cgl-og4km]

Perfect!

[@TheTeophrastus]

Thank you!

[@jarkkoautio8318]

He makes me calm and scares me at the same time, Glorious

[@chadreese9501]

Thank you.

[@pasjap]

Incredibly good.