Thursday, February 12, 2015
Hamlet's Soliloquy Analysis
In Hamlet's famous soliloquy in Act 3, Scene 1 of Hamlet, Shakespeare emphasizes Hamlet's internal struggle between action and inaction as he questions to live or to die. By questioning "to be, or not to be", Hamlet directly ponders whether he should live or to take his own life as he wonders whether life is worth living if one has to suffer through it (V.iii.64). Hamlet I'd questioning whether his life is worth living despit suffering, or if he should take a knife and end his life, wondering which action would be nobler. During this soliloquy, Hamlet also expresses traces of his main internal struggle between action or inaction when he says "thus conscience does make cowards of us all" (V.iii.91). By using the word "conscience", Hamlet emphasizes that he is not mad currently as he has a connection with his mental capacity and thoughts. Because of this, when he says that is is his conscience that makes "cowards of us all", he reasons that his inability to act, whether it be killing Claudius or himself, is hindered by his ability to think clearly and make judgements based off of potential successes and consequences. Similarly, when he says "the native hue of resolution, is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought" while reflecting upon the causes of his struggle between action or inaction (V.iii.92-93). In this quote, Hamlet reveals that the true reason why he remains in a state of stagnation is due to his over analyzing of the situation, which has "sicklied...the pale cast of thought." By describing his thought as "pale", Hamlet reveals that the small portion of his thoughts that support action is already a weak and limp, but due to his overthinking, it has been completely overcome by inaction. Overall, Hamlet's struggle is hindered by his own action of overthinking and doubt in his decisions and choices. Therefore, in Hamlet's famous soliloquy, he addresses his central character struggle between action and inaction.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Fate and Free Will Pre-Reading Thoughts
1. What role does exercising our free will have in determining our path?
Free will is instrumental in determining our individual paths as free will influences our actions and decisions. Each decision that an individual makes is a direct effect of their use of free will. Similarly, as decisions shape one's path, free will plays a crucial role in the development of such a journey through life. For example, in my life, every decision I make impacts my future in some way, no matter how big the decision.
2. Are we all "actors" playing "roles" in our lives? Are people ever actually honest with each other?
No, I believe that people are not able to play "roles" in their lives as every person is an individual. As individuals, people are all unique in their own way, whether it be the way they choose to express themselves or their sense of humor. No two people are identical no matter how similar they may appear to be. Because society as a whole is made up of millions of individuals, there is no possible way for each of those individual lives to be merely "acting" a certain way, or looking a certain way to appeal to a greater society.
3. Is revenge justifiable? Is suicide justifiable?
I think, that revenge, is not necessarily justifiable, but I can understand why some people feel that revenge is necessary in order to "take back what is theirs" or even a playing field.Even though revenge, no matter how pety, is not something I myself would believe to be a justifiable action, I am able to see both the benefits and drawbacks that others may have by taking such actions.
I do believe that suicide is justifiable because I am a firm believer in a right to ones own body, and I believe that people have the right to choose whether or not to continue on their path. Although I believe that individuals are justified in their choice of taking their own life, I do not support their decision. I am not a supporter of suicide as a form of relief from the hardship that is life. But, with that said, I believe that taking ones life is an individuals own choice to make, and they have a right to make that choice.
4. What defines "madness" and how does the context (culture, specific situation, etc.) affect the definition? How can a label of insanity be used as an instrument of power?
Madness has a very broad definition that can range depending of the situation as well as the person that it is used to describe. Madness can be used to describe anything from mentally unstable to someone who does not fit into a certain norm. As the term itself is so broad, the definition changes as well to cater the situation and individual it is used to describe.
By labeling someone insane, the individual described almost immediately is seen as weaker due to the negative connotation that is derived from the term "insane". Because of this stereotype, if one were to describe someone else as insane, they would hold the power and appear superior to their victim.
Free will is instrumental in determining our individual paths as free will influences our actions and decisions. Each decision that an individual makes is a direct effect of their use of free will. Similarly, as decisions shape one's path, free will plays a crucial role in the development of such a journey through life. For example, in my life, every decision I make impacts my future in some way, no matter how big the decision.
2. Are we all "actors" playing "roles" in our lives? Are people ever actually honest with each other?
No, I believe that people are not able to play "roles" in their lives as every person is an individual. As individuals, people are all unique in their own way, whether it be the way they choose to express themselves or their sense of humor. No two people are identical no matter how similar they may appear to be. Because society as a whole is made up of millions of individuals, there is no possible way for each of those individual lives to be merely "acting" a certain way, or looking a certain way to appeal to a greater society.
3. Is revenge justifiable? Is suicide justifiable?
I think, that revenge, is not necessarily justifiable, but I can understand why some people feel that revenge is necessary in order to "take back what is theirs" or even a playing field.Even though revenge, no matter how pety, is not something I myself would believe to be a justifiable action, I am able to see both the benefits and drawbacks that others may have by taking such actions.
I do believe that suicide is justifiable because I am a firm believer in a right to ones own body, and I believe that people have the right to choose whether or not to continue on their path. Although I believe that individuals are justified in their choice of taking their own life, I do not support their decision. I am not a supporter of suicide as a form of relief from the hardship that is life. But, with that said, I believe that taking ones life is an individuals own choice to make, and they have a right to make that choice.
4. What defines "madness" and how does the context (culture, specific situation, etc.) affect the definition? How can a label of insanity be used as an instrument of power?
Madness has a very broad definition that can range depending of the situation as well as the person that it is used to describe. Madness can be used to describe anything from mentally unstable to someone who does not fit into a certain norm. As the term itself is so broad, the definition changes as well to cater the situation and individual it is used to describe.
By labeling someone insane, the individual described almost immediately is seen as weaker due to the negative connotation that is derived from the term "insane". Because of this stereotype, if one were to describe someone else as insane, they would hold the power and appear superior to their victim.
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