HAMLET TO BE OR NOT TO BE - Shakespeare Explained IN DEPTH ANALYSIS

Welcome to our comprehensive analysis of one of the most famous soliloquies in literature: Hamlet's "To be or not to be" speech from William Shakespeare's timeless tragedy. In this video, we delve deep into the intricate layers of this profound monologue, exploring its themes, literary devices, and the emotional turmoil of Hamlet's character.
🔍 What You'll Learn:
Context and Background: Understand the scene in which this soliloquy occurs and its significance within the play.
Line-by-Line Breakdown: A detailed examination of the text, unpacking Shakespeare's language and meaning.
Themes and Motifs: Insight into the existential questions and philosophical reflections on life and death.
Character Analysis: Discover how this speech reveals Hamlet's internal conflict and his contemplation of mortality and morality.
Literary Devices: Identify the use of metaphors, imagery, and rhetorical questions that enrich the soliloquy.
Join us as we explore the depths of Hamlet's psyche and the masterful craftsmanship of Shakespeare's writing. Whether you're a student, a literature enthusiast, or simply curious about this iconic speech, this analysis will provide you with a deeper appreciation and understanding of Hamlet's profound words.
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FULL SPEECH:
To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them. To die-to sleep,
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to: 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To die, to sleep;
To sleep, perchance to dream-ay, there's the rub:
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause-there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long life.
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
Th'oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of dispriz'd love, the law's delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of th'unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovere'd country, from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all,
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry
And lose the name of action.
0:00 Introduction
2:30 Setting and brief notes on the play
4:50 The Analysis
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[@kimcogo]

The genuine passion you exude for the Classics that you delve into not only makes your videos engaging but inspires me to read every title on your lists. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, insights, and love for these great works! 📚

[@kenia.m]

I went from "I'm never reading Shakespeare" to adding Hamlet to my Amazon shopping cart after just 15 minutes of analysis. We don't study Shakespeare in school where I'm from (Brazil) because we have our own authors. Now I'm super interested! You're the best! P.S. I finished school a long time ago 😅 and only read for pleasure now.

[@nayandas591]

These sessions are always eye opening. 👍👍

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Thank you. I'm pleased you enjoyed it.

[@amyschmelzer6445]

Tristan’s there in a long-sleeved, turtleneck sweater while I’m across the pond sweating my butt off from working in the garden before it gets to 95f/35c outside. Thank you for the analysis of Hamlet. I read it earlier this year. It’s helpful to hear ideas that I might have overlooked the first time. I’m currently reading A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I figured it’s timely for the season we’re in.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Oof that's uncomfortably warm.

[@DefaultName-nt7tk]

You Are amazing !

[@paulhammond6978]

Ok, I was already impressed when I thought this was a 50 minute review of the whole play. This is a long video just to look at one speech. Will come back later when I can give it my proper attention.

[@DefaultName-nt7tk]

Tristan what an amazing analysis you gave on this video.❤ Your reading was better than one of the best actors ❤

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

You are lovely. I hope that you find a gold bar in your loft. 😀❤️

[@antoninima9007]

Great, I love it when you make these Shakespeare monologue analysis videos. I've saved it to my watch later and I'll see it tonight! 😍 I vote you do all of Hamlet's soliloquies, next Act 1 Scene 2! 🤓😎🤣

[@cassaundramariac9075]

My favorite Shakespeare-thank you Tristan

[@quackerduck17]

Loved the explanation of "calamity of so long life" & "patient merit of th'unworthy". Rather ashamed I've always allowed myself to skip over those two bits I didn't really get!

[@ChrisHunt4497]

You really help me to understand Shakespeare Tristan. I am still reeling from your ‘Tomorrow’ Macbeth speech analysis. This is such a pleasure to listen to and learn from. So much to enjoy, thank you. ❤

[@craigtimmons6907]

The instructor I wish I’d had during my studies!

[@kathleensmith]

Tristan this was wonderful! As I mentioned before, this is my Shakespeare Summer and your review of this speech in Hamlet, is the “cherry on the top !!” Think I need to move Hamlet from this winter to later this summer. I know you have a wonderful selection of reviews ( sorry, review is the only word I can think of at the minute- yours is more than just a review) of Shakespeare from a couple years ago, but maybe you can add a few more in the coming months or year. YES, your lesson on iambic pantomber (spelling ?) was so helpful to my finally getting Shakespeare. Thank so much.

[@jennyaldridge4186]

What a brilliant analysis. Hamlet is my favourite play although I still have a few to read including Macbeth. What I love about Shakespeare is that you can get a real understanding of the words without knowing what a lot of them mean but then taking the trouble to understand the vocabulary adds another depth to the writing. He really understands humans and shows us that we’ve barely changed in 400 years. I would love to delve deeper into any of the plays (except Titus Andronicus) 😊

[@user-rw5xx7ct8c]

Been waiting for this one. It didn't disappoint! Thanks.

[@ecyranot]

I've heard that another reading is that he's not contemplating suicide. He's trying to decide whether to play it safe and live (suffer in the mind the slings and arrows), or stand up against this crime of the king, in which case he will probably die. Of course he goes on to talk about suicide but perhaps this is the nature of Hamlet's wide-ranging mind.

[@elainemcfarlane9805]

I particularly love your enthusiastic and knowledgeable breakdowns of Shakespeare text. I’m always trying to improve my understanding so that I can better enjoy seeing productions. I’m interested to hear more about reading a whole play in a smaller group. Kind regards Elaine

[@evanyong6644]

I'm an A-Level student currently in my final year of high school studying Hamlet, and I just want to say your analysis of the soliloquy was brilliant for helping me understand it! Thank you so much! Also from the way you delivered it at the end, maybe you should consider being an actor? 😂

[@LaurieMcCall-qy9sz]

Yes, I definitely want to be in a group examining a Shakespeare play!

[@poncedeleon759]

Epic. You broke it down and skilfully explained Shakespeare's layered meanings and beauty of language, that even an idiot like me could understand. Thank you Tristan 10/10

[@noasauer1116]

Thanks so much for this explanation! You're really teaching not just to understand the play but to love it (and some english too, as it is not my mother tongue). I would be very interested in paying for more extense Shakespeare classes, but maybe if they are videos we could watch at our own peace. ☺

[@HMOtis01]

Tristan, your perspicacious analysis of one of Shakespeare's most profound puzzles, "To be or not to be," is enlightening. You've highlighted the existential dread that saturates Hamlet's words, emphasizing how paralyzing the fear of the unknown can be. Yet, I'm intrigued by another potential dimension to this soliloquy-beyond the fear of death and what lies beyond. Could Shakespeare also be critiquing the inertia that results from our own spirals of introspection? Sometimes, it feels like Hamlet’s real ghost is his overthinking, which shackles him as much as his dread of the undiscovered country, emphasizing not just the paralysis of fear but also the paralysis of indecision itself.

[@SevenUnwokenDreams]

That was so beautiful. Thank you for doing this, I got a bit emotional. I'm very new to Shakespeare. I can't spare any money but if I could it would be such a dream to be in the group with you. You're excellent at this. Thank you thank you.

[@noahadam6979]

I really thank you for these literary insights! I am recently following your KZbin's and very happy with it. This one is really what I am looking for always❤

[@user-ih2fl1eo5m]

I just loved your analysis of this sililoquy!!!! Though it's not my favourite of this play but my second one. I so love reading shakespeare!! I'd be interested in the classes you mentioned and you explain the plays so fantastic!!!! Thank you so much it was really a delight

[@jennyaldridge4186]

I still have a few plays left to read but so far Hamlet is my favourite. I’m interested to know which is your number 1. I also love the history plays.

[@dgheonmd]

Thank you for sharing your passion in such a fantastic way. Your ability to inspire is wonderful. Your ability to teach is great, my friend. Would love to be involved in your proposed Shakespeare classes, whatever the cost.

[@silviafrassineti5214]

Wonderful analysis. Thank you. To be reading that masterpiece is enough to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, and act, readiness is all. ❤

[@margaretinsydney3856]

Thank you, Tristan, that was just fabulous. I would love for you to do more Shakespeare -- perhaps you have; I'm still catching up with your back catalogue. The idea of a group would be terrific, but I'd have difficulty with it because of time zones, if it's in real time. I so enjoyed this video. And it was nice to hear your laugh a couple of times, even in the midst of all this sorrow.😊

[@josephharley9448]

BRILLIANT

[@ritahenderson6771]

What a wonderful, amazing and enlightening analysis. Thank you 🙏🏼😍

[@kathleensmith]

COUNT ME IN! Sorry I was driving and missed the very end of your video. If you do decide to have a Shakespeare tutorial I would love to participate!

[@AidaBoza]

Thank you Tristan, fantastic!

[@curtisnd2239]

Until sometime when I was in my fifties whenever I heard that famous line "To be or not to be", I wanted to scream "To be or not to be WHAT?" It was then that I learned that when Shakespeare wrote "to be", he meant "to live". That is, "To live or not to live". Now what appeared to be an incomplete sentence made sense. I point this out as one example of why I have always felt very frustrated trying to read Shakespeare. As a modern-day reader, I feel like his 400-year-old works were written in a foreign language masquerading as English.

[@margueritespringer3687]

Loved this Thank you

[@Laocoon283]

Sophocle's Oedipus in Oedipus at Clonus is the epitome of the man who is nobler in the mind for bearing the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune and Captain Ahab from Moby Dick is the epitome of the man who raises arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing ends them.

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

Nice!😀🙌❤️

[@susprime7018]

Good job on Wills.

[@isabelamer86]

I'd be interested if you do a Shakespeare group. I just read the Judi Dench interviews on performing Shakespeare and am refired up on reading the plays. Thanks for this video, it's super helpful.

[@LS-yk5zd]

I would be interested in the group. Thank you for this video.

[@patriciadavison1486]

Hello Tristan. Great video - Thank You. May I respectfully ask why you say, “Everythink” and “Nothink” - as most people in this country seem to say now. Is it not, “Everything” and “Nothing”? I really hate to hear these word said incorrectly every single day and by so many people. Is this just the ‘modern’ way we have to speak now? I am not being rude - just asking. I love your work and appreciate your videos very much. XX

[@anthonyochoa2955]

We're so back

[@tristanandtheclassics6538]

I'm so pleased you are. 😀

[@jmsl_910]

ty tristan

[@nic-ee25]

For a person concerned about the exact analysis of words how about using the correct comparative form ‘nobler’, not ‘more noble’?

[@AG-jf6wg]

I would be interested in joining a Shakespeare study group with a fee.

[@josephharley9448]

The only man who can make Mark Kermode look stupid.

[@johns4571]

Good presentation but I think the meaning of speech is obvious

[@harrietsmock1393]

Are you sure you're not an actor? 😉