PART 2

教师进入正文1-5行讲解:

1 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,

5 And by opposing end them？

Q1: What does Hamlet mean “to be, or not to be” ?

A1: Before this monologue, Hamlet found out that his uncle Claudius has killed his father and married his mother. So he feigned madness. During this period, he did a lot of thinking and found himself confused facing the contrast between dark reality and fancy humanistic ideals. He was overwhelmed and began to consider suicide.

Q2: What does “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” imply?

A2: “The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” stands for the cruel fact of life. Hamlet has been living in his tower of ivory until a series of misfortunes hit him hard. He used to consider life as beautiful and good until he discovered the darkness and the evil.

Q3: How does this part of monologue reflect Hamlet’s characteristic?

A3: As we can see from the text, confronting with the hatred and unfairness, Hamlet was not determined to get revenge. Given this circumstance, Hamlet even began to think about the value of life. He was confused and filled with doubt. That makes Hamlet an indecisive person, who bewildered when it comes to making things right.

Q4: Hamlet uses the word “nobler” concerning making choice, why?

A4: Because Hamlet was a humanist. In his heart, he thought this world is a place full of hope and beauty. He had never expected to experience this desperation himself. Deep down his heart, he felt that he was a man with dignity; the action of revenge on these people will be despised.