"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" (3.1. 64-68).
This quote is one of the most, if not the most, famous quote of Shakespeare and of all of literature. It has been repeated countless times in movies, literature, tv, and in everyday life. However, when this quote is used, most people have no idea what the quote is referring to. If they did, they most likely wouldn't repeat it. Hamlet is considering suicide when he says, "To be or not to be--that is the question". Hamlet is considering whether or not life is worth living after suffering so much betrayal and heartbreak. He is wondering if it's worth suffering the pain to live within a royal family with great wealth. He believes that he may want to combat all of the wrong that has been done to him, even if he knows that will mean his death. Hamlet is not afraid of dying, which has positive and negative effects. On one hand, he can avenge his father's death with no remorse. On the other hand, not being afraid of death will affect his judgment. Fear inspires great things, so if Hamlet is not afraid of death, he will be destined to make poor decisions.
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