"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."
— Hamlet (3.1.57-61)
At first glance, many believe Hamlet's soliloquy is referring to suicide and shows him questioning whether he should continue living or kill himself. However, upon deeper analysis, it becomes evident that Hamlet is simply voicing his frustrations and unhappiness with both his life and life in general. He antagonises life, complaining how because of it, he has no control. This complaint resonates with me the most and helps me understand Hamlet's thoughts. By choosing to live, one gives up the ability to choose. People have deluded themselves into believing that the concept of freedom of choice exists, however, in reality it truly doesn't. While Hamlet blames these limitations on religion and societal pressures, I believe these limitations come from our government and societal pressures. Hamlet goes on to explain how even control over our deaths, what is normally viewed as one's end, is not something we can have, as that is limited by religious ideologies. I often have thought about the truth about freedom and wondered if we can ever truly be free, if we can ever make a choice, and if we can ever have true freedom. Like Hamlet, I quickly realised that we truly do not have the ability to choose anything, and how even our own death is controlled by external factors. Thus, this soliloquy resonates with me as it allows me to connect with Hamlet's character and ideologies and understand him deeply.
