Why did William Shakespeare write to be or to not to be?

Answer 1

The words "to be or not to be" or even the speech that starts with those words is so well-known and famous that people tend to forget that it exists only because it is a speech said by a character called Hamlet in a play called Hamlet. Shakespeare put those words in Hamlet's mouth for a purpose related to the flow of the dramatic action. The problem is that the speech does not seem to have much to do with the dramatic action at that point of the play, or indeed with the action of the play at all. It has no reference to any of the characters in the play, or any of the situations in the play. It does not include the pronouns "I" or "me" so it is hard to believe that Hamlet is talking about himself.

For some reason, Hamlet is indulging in an impersonal philosophical discourse while going to an appointment with Claudius (Claudius does say earlier in the scene that he has sent for Hamlet). It is up to the director and actor to find a reason which satisfies them.