Shakespeare, "To be or not to be?"?
927148
k.g. is right. It's like he's saying "To live or not to live, that is the question..." then he goes on to wonder if it's better to live and suffer or take the "cowardly" way out and end it all.\n\nHAMLET: To be, or not to be--that is the question: \nWhether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer \nThe slings and arrows of outrageous fortune \nOr to take arms against a sea of troubles \nAnd by opposing end them. To die, to sleep-- \nNo more--and by a sleep to say we end \nThe heartache, and the thousand natural shocks \nThat flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation \nDevoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep-- \nTo sleep--perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub, \nFor in that sleep of death what dreams may come \nWhen we have shuffled off this mortal coil, \nMust give us pause. There's the respect \nThat makes calamity of so long life. \nFor who would bear the whips and scorns of time, \nTh' oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely \nThe pangs of despised love, the law's delay, \nThe insolence of office, and the spurns \nThat patient merit of th' unworthy takes, \nWhen he himself might his quietus make \nWith a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear, \nTo grunt and sweat under a weary life, \nBut that the dread of something after death, \nThe undiscovered country, from whose bourn \nNo traveller returns, puzzles the will, \nAnd makes us rather bear those ills we have \nThan fly to others that we know not of? \nThus conscience does make cowards of us all, \nAnd thus the native hue of resolution \nIs sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, \nAnd enterprise of great pitch and moment \nWith this regard their currents turn awry \nAnd lose the name of action. -- Soft you now, \nThe fair Ophelia! -- Nymph, in thy orisons \nBe all my sins remembered.
176397
Hamlet!! we just finished reading that in my ap senior english class last friday!  try sparknotes.com, it really helps, and there's even a section, no-fear-shakespeare, that has the original text next to everyday english, so that it is easier to understand what it being said in our modern lingo...\nhope this helps!!!
443839
Not necessarily pointless. Perhaps you have taken a dislike to Shakespeare's literature. It's okay to find it boring, but if it's an assignment try to focus. There is some meaning behind all these dialogues. If you have time study them and look deeper into the events taking place within the play itself. Shakespeare is a complicated, yet terrific writer.
1115438
Shakespeare...he was a partier.
975050
"There is not to be discussion regarding tastes" Less literally "In matters of taste there is no dispute" or simply "There's no arguing taste". A similar expression in English is "There's no accounting for taste". Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, without attribution, renders the phrase as de gustibus non disputandum; the verb "to be" is often assumed in Latin, and is rarely required.
442437
I think, therefore I am.\nBut if I think not, am I not?\nI think not!\nTherefore, I am.
645803
It depends on the topic of your essay. I'd start with an appropriate quotation from the play. Example:\n\n"Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" Everyone has heard this famous quote from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, but most people misunderstand the quote. While many people think Juliet is asking where Romeo is, she actually is asking why he must be Romeo (a Montague and, therefore, her family's enemy). This line draws attention to a central theme in the play--love is stronger than a tradition of hatred.
518276
Each of the quotes has it's own particular merit. The first one describes Hamlet as having an Oedipus complex, an unnatural love and fixation for his mother, even at the expense of his father.\n\nThe second seems to put Hamlet's feelings as being caused by self pity and low self-esteem. both of which then affect his decisions but only in an adverse, or bad, way.\n\nThe third by Laurence Olivier, who was a great actor, possibly the best there has ever been, and who played Shakespearean roles hundreds of times, is my favourite. You'd think, therefore, that he would know. What he refers to here is the famous 'To be, or not to be' soliloquy where Hamlet is trying to decided whether or not to commit suicide and, as Olivier so succinctly puts it, 'a man who could not make up his mind'.
285668
I was read a poem by Pablo Neruda that was amazing. (Of course I was so overwhelmed I don't remember much of it) I would stay away from Shakespeare.  I love the bard, but it's really cliche.  Don't just look at poems, there are some song lyrics that if they were said to me (knowing he meant them) would do just as much as any poem. (Mostly Ben Harper, Dave Mathews, and Kermit). Just know what she likes.
911045
It's pretty hard to compare and contrast anything if you haven't read it, so I would suggest you read Midsummer Night's Dream, and get quotes that have something to do with your argument, instead of just soliciting any old quotes.
1161512
b) is closer. But better if it reads :-\nalways think twice before acting or think twice before acting
221668
"To be or not to be, --that is the question:--\nWhether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer\nThe slings and arrows of outrageous fortune\nOr to take arms against a sea of troubles,\nAnd by opposing end them?"\n\n\n\n\nthe 1 whch i like \n\n\n"I go, and it is done; the bell invites me.\nHear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell\nThat summons thee to heaven or to hell."
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Shakespeare quoted "I am not bound to please thee with my answers."
1104343
From Shakespeare's "Henry VI":\n\n---------------\nDICK.\nThe first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers. \n\nJACK CADE.\nNay, that I mean to do. Is not this a lamentable thing, that of the skin of an innocent lamb should be made parchment? that parchment, being scribbled o'er, should undo a man? Some say the bee stings: but I say, 'tis the bee's wax; for I did but seal once to a thing, and I was never mine own man since.- How now! who's there?\n---------------\n\nDespite what the ignorant believe, Shakespeare is not anti-lawyer, he's anti-anarchy.  Dick and Jack are revolutionaries intent on overthrowing the monarchy.
990319
Let me count the ways...\n\nWait, that's NOT Shakespeare. Browning?
985100
I think it's a good idea for students to see both (I'll call them "theories")  Use a comparison: Are students exposed to the writing style of Shakespeare only? Or, are they exposed to many writers?  If Ford was the only car offered for sale, how would a person know the points of other cars? The saying goes that "competition is healthy." Why not show more than one theory and let the student decide?
134236
That poem rocks.  I know that it is controversial.  I would be interested to see what people thought of a choice line or two from the poem.