Today we studied the iconic "to be or not be "soliloquy. Joshua prepared a written paraphrase which we used as a foundation for discussion. I discussed the play as the birth of consciousness or the awareness of mortality. Thus, when Hamlet wishes to shed his "mortal coil" we addressed the coil as the restrictions on action created by consciousness . We then explored Hamlet's dilemma in terms of Hamlet's hyper conscious state that engenders fear or hesitation .I discussed how Fortinbras , in contrast to Hamlet, can subsume consciousness to action. Last, we analyzed the famous "get thee to a nunnery " speeches that reflect Hamlet's obsession with his mother's incest.