To be, or not to be, opening line of a monologue spoken by the character Hamlet in Act III, scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s revenge tragedy Hamlet (c. 1599–1601). Often referred to as a soliloquy, the speech technically does not meet that term’s strictest definition—that is, a monologue delivered by an actor alone onstage—because Ophelia, the object of Hamlet’s fickle affections, is also present, though Hamlet does not speak directly to her until the speech’s very end. The scene in which “to be, or not to be” appears is sometimes referred to as “the nunnery scene,” because Hamlet spurns Ophelia ...(100 of 943 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!