Points to Ponder

In his book Shakespearean Tragedy. A. C. Bradey notes that "The present position of the 'To be or not to be' soliloquy, and of the interview with Ophelia, appears to have been due to an after-thought of Shakespeare's; for in the First Quarto they precede, instead of following, the arrival of the players, and consequently the arrangement for the play-scene. This is a notable instance of the truth that 'inspiration' is by no means confined to a poet's first conceptions." Does the position of Hamlet's soliloquy make a difference? More on this subject.

More to Explore

Shakespeare and Montaigne. In writing Hamlet. Shakespeare is said to have been influenced by the work of French essayist, Michael de Montaigne, translated by an acquaintance of Shakespeare named John Florio. Montagine's essays on moral philosophy might have shaped many passages in Hamlet. including Hamlet's most famous soliloquy. Could Montaigne be the reason the first and second quartos of the play are so different. especially regarding Hamlet's propensity to delay? Read more about Shakespeare, Montaigne and Hamlet .

Quotations from Hamlet (with commentary)
Hamlet Study Quiz (with detailed answers)
Analysis of I am sick at heart (1.1)
Hamlet. Q & A

Soliloquy Analysis: O this too too. (1.2)
Soliloquy Analysis: O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I. (2.2)
Soliloquy Analysis: To be, or not to be. (3.1)
Soliloquy Analysis: Tis now the very witching time of night. (3.2)
Soliloquy Analysis: Now might I do it pat. (3.3)
Soliloquy Analysis: How all occasions do inform against me. (4.4)