Passage 100 · 1600
"To Be or Not to Be"
Main effectThrough infinitive opposition, embedded interrogatives, parallel infinitive structures, and mixed metaphors (military vs. oceanic), Shakespeare creates syntax of philosophical paralysis—grammar that performs the inability to choose between being and non-being, suffering and action.
Device index
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Tropes
Implicit comparison.
Exaggeration.
Schemes
Balanced opposition.
Syntax
"To be, or not to be"—two infinitives separated by disjunctive conjunction. Syntax reduces existence to binary choice.
"that is the question"—demonstrative pronoun with copula. Syntax names the antithesis as philosophical problem.
"Whether 'tis nobler"—subordinate interrogative clause continues question. Syntax embeds moral evaluation in existential choice.
"to suffer...Or to take"—two infinitive phrases as alternatives. Syntax creates parallel structure for opposed actions.
"in the mind"—prepositional phrase locates nobility mentally, not physically. Syntax makes this philosophical, internal.
"take arms against a sea"—military metaphor (arms) meets natural metaphor (sea). Syntax creates impossible action, suggesting futility of resistance.
"The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune"—two nouns in genitive relation to personified fortune. Syntax makes suffering fortune's weaponry.
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Infinitive Opposition
"To be, or not to be"—two infinitives separated by disjunctive conjunction. Syntax reduces existence to binary choice.
Demonstrative Copula
"that is the question"—demonstrative pronoun with copula. Syntax names the antithesis as philosophical problem.
Indirect Question
"Whether 'tis nobler"—subordinate interrogative clause continues question. Syntax embeds moral evaluation in existential choice.
Infinitive Complements
"to suffer...Or to take"—two infinitive phrases as alternatives. Syntax creates parallel structure for opposed actions.
Prepositional Abstraction
"in the mind"—prepositional phrase locates nobility mentally, not physically. Syntax makes this philosophical, internal.
Mixed Metaphor
"take arms against a sea"—military metaphor (arms) meets natural metaphor (sea). Syntax creates impossible action, suggesting futility of resistance.
Genitive Accumulation
"The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune"—two nouns in genitive relation to personified fortune. Syntax makes suffering fortune's weaponry.
Stylistic Effect
Through infinitive opposition, embedded interrogatives, parallel infinitive structures, and mixed metaphors (military vs. oceanic), Shakespeare creates syntax of philosophical paralysis—grammar that performs the inability to choose between being and non-being, suffering and action.