Hamlet – “To Be or Not To Be” Parody

Write a parody of the famous soliloquy. Definitions of parody and an example are included for you.

ParodyA humorous imitation of another, usually serious, work. It can take any fixed or open form, because parodists imitate the tone, language, and shape of the original in order to deflate the subject matter, making the original work seem absurd.

Parody — not to be confused with satire(although it is often a component of it)— is the imitation of either formal or thematic elements of one work in another for humorous purposes. The most high-profile parodist in modern America is Weird Al Yankovic, who takes others' songs and rewrites the words. Most parodies follow their originals closely. Not all parody needs to be bitter (Juvenalian); some parodies are merely gentle and even affectionate ribbing (Horatian).

From the Guide to Literary Terms by Jack Lynch.

To shave or not to shave, that is the question:

Whether ‘tis better in this climate to wear pants

Or to use a razor against a forest of stubble, and

By using it, remove it?

To shave; to wax; no more; and by waxing we

End the thousand nicks and cuts that our legs are prone to—

‘Tis a concept greatly wished.

To shave, to wax; to wax; perchance, be smooth—ah, that’s the problem!

For in the tub what cuts may come when

We have gotten rid of the reluctant hair, might make

Men stare: there’s the attention among the chaos

Of teenage life; for what girl would want such

Injuries, but with ugly hair, comes rude glares.

The prickly hair on your legs, wearing shorts delays

Because the regrowing stubs overtake the moisturizing-stripless razor.

Who would encounter these loathsome legs after

A close shave, the undiscovered areas where no man has gone before.

It makes a girl ponder whether to wear jeans

With uncleared legs or to rid herself of growth and pursue shorts.

This tribulation makes us girls crazy!

Time to choose, now the shower calls;

May all the scars be remembered.

How You Will Be Graded

Your rewritten version of "To Be or Not To Be" should:

1. Follow the framework, speech pattern, and sequence of Shakespeare's original soliloquy.

2. Be appropriate for the character you select (please select a character or situation which would be easily recognizable by others).

  • Convey a tone (humorous, sarcastic, etc.).
  • Be consistent--the character's voice, diction and point of view should remain constant throughout.
  • Use correct spelling, punctuation and usage.