The phrase "to be, or not to be" comes from William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Act III, scene I, and it is often used in reference to the whole speech the line opens. It is arguably the best-remembered phrase from the play and one of the most famous quotations in world literature. The soliloquy, spoken in the play by the eponymous character, follows in its entirety:

In the popular imagination the speaking of this soliloquy is often conflated with the action of Hamlet thoughtfully holding a skull (Yorick's), although the two actions are nowhere near each other in the play. It is also important to note that Hamlet is not alone on the stage (which is the standard for a soliloquy): Ophelia, Polonius, and the King are onstage (editors and various productions disagree about whether Hamlet sees her or the King and Polonius).