"To be or not to be, that is the question: / Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And by opposing end them?" (Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1)
Figurative Language: Metaphor
Explanation: Hamlet uses the metaphor of a "sea of troubles" to describe the overwhelming difficulties he faces. He compares his problems to a vast, powerful ocean, emphasizing their immense and seemingly insurmountable nature. This figure of speech adds depth and power to Hamlet's contemplation of life and death.
Other examples of figurative language in Hamlet:
* Simile: "The time is out of joint; O cursed spite, / That ever I was born to set it right!" (Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 5) - Comparing the state of the world to a disjointed limb.
* Personification: "O, that this too too solid flesh would melt, / Thaw, and resolve itself into a dew!" (Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 2) - Giving human qualities to flesh, as if it could melt and disappear.
* Hyperbole: "My father's spirit in arms! All is not well!" (Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 2) - Exaggerating the appearance of the ghost to emphasize the gravity of the situation.
These are just a few examples. Hamlet is filled with rich figurative language, enriching the play's themes and emotional weight.