What is mans' purpose in life? Is there a purpose? If there isn't, then is it wise to end it, despite the fact that there might be nothing better? In Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, Hamlet struggles with these and other issues. He states that the question of life is "To be, or not to be...?" Isexistence really worth the troubles of life? In this monologue, Hamlet is wondering what is hispurpose. He asserts that the only reason people endure their horrible lives is the uncertainty of whatlies after death. "Who would fardels bear, to grunt and sweat under a weary life, but that the dreadof something after death..." Is it noble to suffer, and is life worth all its misery? Hamlet mustquestion himself to discover the answers.At the point in Hamlet when this famous soliloquy takes place, Hamlet has many reasons tobe questioning his existence. Hamlet is visited by the ghost of his late father, who explains that hewas murdered by Hamlet's uncle, who is Hamlet's mother's new husband. His father cannot restuntil Hamlet has gotten revenge. Hamlet's father has just been murdered, his friends are sent to spyon him, his lover is forbidden to see him, and Hamlet feels that his life is pointless and miserable. "The pangs of disprized love, the law's delay, the insolence of office, and the spurns that patient meritof the unworthy takes..." These are the miseries that Hamlet must endure. This is why he makes thisspeech to himself, almost as if he is convincing himself that there are reasons to stay living. Mosteveryone in Hamlet is leading a horrible life. Hamlet's mother has just lost a husband, his uncle isworried and guilt-stricken over the terrible crime he committed of murdering his brother, andOphelia, Hamlet's lover, is miserable because her half-witted father has forbidden her to see Hamlet. This soliloquy pertanes not only to Hamlet, but to virtually all the characters in the play. All thecharacters are "bearing] the whips an...
