In Lesson 19 of the videotape “Literary Visions”, the actor performs two interpretations of the monologue, “To be or not to be”. As said in the video, there are many ways that an actor can choose to interpret that particular speech in Hamlet. Many actors relish the opportunity to perform Hamlet, because of that particular speech. In a play, the actors’ interpretation of the character is what gives the audience the background and insights into the …showed first 75 words of 571 total…

…showed last 75 words of 571 total…he must. This makes him very upset because he is a peaceful person. The fact that he seems so helpless in the first version is what is so believable. Up until this part of the play, I do not think of Hamlet as a very angry and vengeful person, but more as a person struggling with an inner conflict. I think the first version of “To be or not to be” portrays Hamlet the best.