current events | May 16, 2026

What does that's the rub mean?

there's (or here's) the rub that is the crucial difficulty or problem. literary. This expression comes from Shakespeare 's Hamlet: 'To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause'.

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Just so, what does thats the rub mean?

A The phrase is Shakespeare's. It comes from Hamlet's famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy: To die — to sleep. To sleep — perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub! By rub, Hamlet means a difficulty, obstacle or objection — in this case to his committing suicide.

Likewise, what does this passage mean to die to sleep to sleep perchance to dream aye there's the rub for in that sleep of death what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this? “To sleep, perchance to dreamay, there's the rub, for in that sleep of death what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, must give us pause. The logic of death according Shakespeare through this play is that death is just a long sleep.

Subsequently, one may also ask, what does therein lies the rub mean?

And therein lies the rub! Therein lies the rub – or to quote exactly – “there's the rubmeans – that's where the problem/obstacle is.” Hamlet is reflecting on the possibility of suicide as a means to an easy end. That perhaps death – which he likens to a “sleep, perchance to dream” may be preferable to life.

What does To be or not to be mean?

Its the dilemma of accepting or refuting a pregnancy. “To be, or not to be: TO BE BORN, OR NOT BORN that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer TO ALLOW SEED TO GROW INTO A LIVING BEING The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

Related Question Answers

What does rub mean in slang?

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What is Shakespeare saying in To Be or Not To Be?

Hamlet is basically contemplating suicide on and off throughout his soliloquies. In this soliloquy, he compares death to a little sleep, which he thinks wouldn't be so bad. The only catch is that we might have dreams when dead—bad dreams. Of course, we'd escape a lot by being dead, like being spurned in love.

Who said aye there's the rub?

This expression comes from Shakespeare 's Hamlet: 'To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause'. In the game of bowls, a rub is an impediment that prevents a bowl from running smoothly.

WHO SAID TO BE OR NOT TO BE?

12 Facts about Hamlet's Famous 'To be or not to be' Soliloquy. Hamlet wasn't alone while he uttered his soliloquy. According to the definition of soliloquy, “usually, no other characters are present.” In Hamlet's case, Ophelia is positioned nearby, while Claudius and Polonius are hiding.

What does Therein lies the problem mean?

phrase. When you say therein lies a situation or problem, you mean that an existing situation has caused that situation or problem. [formal, or old-fashioned]

Where does the saying here's the rub come from?

This expression comes from Shakespeare 's Hamlet: 'To sleep: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub; For in that sleep of death what dreams may come When we have shuffled off this mortal coil, Must give us pause'. In the game of bowls, a rub is an impediment that prevents a bowl from running smoothly.

Who would Fardels bear?

Who would fardels bear, To groan and sweat under a weary life, But that the dread of something after death, The undiscovered country, from whose bourn.

Why does Hamlet tell Ophelia to get thee to a nunnery?

In his anger, he curses the fickleness of all women and tells Ophelia to "get thee to a nunnery." If Hamlet really means "nunnery," then he is saying that Ophelia should become a nun in order to preserve her chastity and avoid bearing children that are "sinners." If, however, Hamlet means "brothel" ("nunnery" was

Where the problems lie or lay?

You asked for the present tense, and it's easy! The reason lies in the facts. Quick tip is -broadly, the word lay requires a direct object and lie does not. That said, you can lie down on the floor but you lay your laptop on the table.

How do you use therein in a sentence?

therein Sentence Examples
  1. And therein lay the difference.
  2. within French territory; the highest elevation therein, the Vignemale, in the centre of the range, reaches 10,820 ft.

What does makes calamity of so long life mean?

Hamlet Soliloquy: To be, or not to be: that is the question (3.1.64-98) calamity of so long life (77) The terrifying thoughts of what will happen to us in the afterlife are reason enough to endure the hardships of this life for so long.

Is it nobler in the mind to suffer?

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles.

Who said to die to sleep?

Hamlet

What does Hamlet mean by to die to sleep?

The literal meaning of this quote is that death is a better choice to end the sufferings of one's life. Since dreams emphasize tenuousness and uncertainty, and convey a sense of ignorance about the future, Prince Hamlet longs for dreamless sleep, as it would be much better to free him from his worries upon his death.

What are Shakespeare's five quotes?

Here are 10 of the poet's most famous quotes:
  • "
  • “This above all: to thine own self be true,
  • “Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.”
  • “Men at some time are masters of their fates:
  • "
  • "Good night, good night!
  • "All the world's a stage,

What did Shakespeare say about sleep?

“Innocent sleep. Sleep that soothes away all our worries. Sleep that puts each day to rest. Sleep that relieves the weary laborer and heals hurt minds.

What does sleeping perchance to dreams mean?

Meaning of To Sleep, Perchance to Dream It implies that unconsciousness or dreamless sleep, after death, would be ideal to be rid of troubles and sufferings in life.

Who said perchance dream?

Origin of To Sleep, Perchance to Dream This expression is a quote from the play Hamlet, written by the English playwright William Shakespeare around the year 1600. The main character, a prince, is giving a soliloquy contemplating suicide.

What dreams may come when we have shuffled?

“To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there's the rub, for in that sleep of death what dreams may come when we have shuffled off this mortal coil, must give us pause. But what is most fascinating about it the quote is the concept of dreaming if you're dead.