Read the passage before answering the following questions.

Question

"To Be Or Not To Be" Soliloquy by William Shakespeare
Question 1
PART A: Which of the following best states a theme of the soliloquy? (1 point)
Responses

When life is full of pain and struggle, it is worthwhile to end one's life rather than suffer.
When life is full of pain and struggle, it is worthwhile to end one's life rather than suffer.

It is better to take one's own life rather than take another's in the name of revenge.
It is better to take one's own life rather than take another's in the name of revenge.

Suicide is not only tragic but morally wrong, and should be discouraged.
Suicide is not only tragic but morally wrong, and should be discouraged.

Life is full of struggle, but the great unknown of death is far more fearsome.
Life is full of struggle, but the great unknown of death is far more fearsome.
Question 2
PART B: Which of the following quotes best supports the answer to Part A? (1 point)
Responses

"To die, to sleep — / No more — and by a sleep to say we end / The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks / That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation / Devoutly to be wished." (Lines 5-9)
"To die, to sleep — / No more — and by a sleep to say we end / The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks / That flesh is heir to. 'Tis a consummation / Devoutly to be wished." (Lines 5-9)

"For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, / Th' oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely / The pangs of despised 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" (Lines 15-20)
"For who would bear the whips and scorns of time, / Th' oppressor's wrong, the proud man's contumely / The pangs of despised 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" (Lines 15-20)

"The undiscovered 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?" (Lines 24-27)
"The undiscovered 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?" (Lines 24-27)

"And thus the native hue of resolution / Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, / And enterprise of great pitch and moment / With this regard their currents turn awry / And lose the name of action." (Lines 29-33)
"And thus the native hue of resolution / Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, / And enterprise of great pitch and moment / With this regard their currents turn awry / And lose the name of action." (Lines 29-33)
Question 3
PART A: How does Shakespeare use figurative language to talk about death? (1 point)
Responses

Shakespeare compares life to crossing into new countries and death to being in a fixed state.
Shakespeare compares life to crossing into new countries and death to being in a fixed state.

Shakespeare compares death to sleep and dreams to the afterlife.
Shakespeare compares death to sleep and dreams to the afterlife.

Shakespeare compares life to a nightmare and death to peaceful sleep.
Shakespeare compares life to a nightmare and death to peaceful sleep.

Shakespeare compares life and death to battles in which one has the choice of fighting.
Shakespeare compares life and death to battles in which one has the choice of fighting.
Question 4
PART B: Which TWO quotes from the text support the answer to Part A? (2 points)
Responses

"'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" (Lines 2-3)
"'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune" (Lines 2-3)

"take arms against a sea of troubles / And by opposing end them." (Lines 4-5)
"take arms against a sea of troubles / And by opposing end them." (Lines 4-5)

"and by a sleep to say we end / The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks / That flesh is heir to." (Lines 6-8)
"and by a sleep to say we end / The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks / That flesh is heir to." (Lines 6-8)

"For in that sleep of death what dreams may come / When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, / Must give us pause." (Lines 11-13)
"For in that sleep of death what dreams may come / When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, / Must give us pause." (Lines 11-13)

"That patient merit of th' unworthy takes, / When he himself might his quietus make / With a bare bodkin?" (Lines 19-21)
"That patient merit of th' unworthy takes, / When he himself might his quietus make / With a bare bodkin?" (Lines 19-21)

"But that the dread of something after death, / The undiscovered country, from whose bourn / No traveller returns" (Lines 23-25)
"But that the dread of something after death, / The undiscovered country, from whose bourn / No traveller returns" (Lines 23-25)
Question 5
How does Hamlet's conclusion on the question of "To be or not to be" develop the reader's understanding of his character? (1 point)
Responses

It shows Hamlet as a decisive and action-oriented character, ready to confront his fate without hesitation.
It shows Hamlet as a decisive and action-oriented character, ready to confront his fate without hesitation.

It portrays Hamlet as indifferent to life and death, suggesting he lacks any emotional connection to his struggles.
It portrays Hamlet as indifferent to life and death, suggesting he lacks any emotional connection to his struggles.

It reveals Hamlet’s deep contemplation and fear of the unknown, highlighting his tendency toward inaction and introspection.
It reveals Hamlet’s deep contemplation and fear of the unknown, highlighting his tendency toward inaction and introspection.

It demonstrates Hamlet’s belief in fate and divine intervention, suggesting he trusts the gods to determine his destiny.
It demonstrates Hamlet’s belief in fate and divine intervention, suggesting he trusts the gods to determine his destiny.

Answer 1

Here are the suggested answers to the questions based on the passage "To Be Or Not To Be" Soliloquy by William Shakespeare:

Question 1: PART A: Which of the following best states a theme of the soliloquy?

• Response: Life is full of struggle, but the great unknown of death is far more fearsome.

Question 2: PART B: Which of the following quotes best supports the answer to Part A?

• Response: "The undiscovered 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?" (Lines 24-27)

Question 3: PART A: How does Shakespeare use figurative language to talk about death?

• Response: Shakespeare compares death to sleep and dreams to the afterlife.

Question 4: PART B: Which TWO quotes from the text support the answer to Part A?

• Responses:
  • "and by a sleep to say we end / The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks / That flesh is heir to." (Lines 6-8)
  • "For in that sleep of death what dreams may come / When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, / Must give us pause." (Lines 11-13)

Question 5: How does Hamlet's conclusion on the question of "To be or not to be" develop the reader's understanding of his character?

• Response: It reveals Hamlet’s deep contemplation and fear of the unknown, highlighting his tendency toward inaction and introspection.

These responses capture the essence of the themes, figurative language, and character insights present in the soliloquy.