Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet, is a tale that has stood the test of time thanks to its relevance to the present day and near-flawless delivery of the story's themes. Despite many sections and passages it can capture the spirit of Shakespeare's tales, but none does it better than the famous soliloquy that Hamlet uttered to Ophelia. In the opening lines, Hamlet says: To be or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take up arms against a sea of ​​woes, and stand in the end . They? To die, to sleep- (3.1.138) In other words, Hamlet begins by wondering whether it is better to be alive or dead. As pessimistic as his question may seem, it can be considered reasonable considering that his life, at this point, is exclusively dedicated to killing Claudius and avenging his father. Then, Hamlet reiterates his initial statement but uses more poetic language and detail. First, asking whether a person's decision to live through profound misfortune is the noblest choice. Next, Hamlet presents death as an alternative by declaring it an end, which is not done with the first option. To deduce which choice Hamlet is currently leaning on, just look at the metaphors used to describe the two options. Initially, life is described as slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune. This suggests that life's misfortunes are constant and serious, considering that arrows and slings were often fired into barrages. This is further reinforced when the fortune is described as outrageous, ruling the idea of ​​a mild barrage out of the question. Instead, death is compared to concepts that humans associate with tranquility such as the ocean or sleep. Hamlet also describes Death as a… middle of paper… small authority figures for the operation and Hamlet never told anyone about his plan to kill Claudius. Luckily for them, they were successful, which means taking justice into their own hands is an option. In other words, The Killing of Claudius is Hamlet's most justified murder. Having established the many parallels to the present day, you may still be wondering what to make of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The answer is simpler than you might expect: learn from what Hamlet's story offers. If a society does not learn from the past, that society is doomed to repeat the same mistakes indefinitely, a fate worthy of the terrible outcome Hamlet thought death would bring. Put plainly, Hamlet's themes of manipulation, power, and revenge are best used as a cautionary tale for those who venture and choose to venture into life..