ABSTRACT
What is the most famous speech in all literature? No prizes here, it’s probably Hamlet’s soliloquy ‘To be or not to be’. The
utter simplicity of the language on the one hand and the intellectual and emotional reverberation on the other hand have given these words a unique place in our culture. Dozens of authors have sourced the titles of their books and films from within the speech. Articles, commentaries and mighty tomes have been written about this speech. Philosophers have pondered its meaning and significance. Actors rehearsing the part have woken bolt upright in the middle of the night, sweating, in fearful anticipation of having to perform the speech in front of audiences that could probably recite along to many of the words, in karaoke style.
