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Hamlet: its universal appeal
Hamlet: its universal appeal
Hamlet: its universal appeal
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In this short story by Laura Bohanan, the author struggles with the concept of universal truth. She visited West Africa to study a Tiv and brought the story of hamlet to read to them. It was hard to find a time to tell the story because by afternoon they began drinking. Finding it impossible to tell them the story while they were sober, she decides to drink with them and tell the story anyways. Their concept of the story was much different from hers; she found it hard to tell the story without an interruption of what they thought the meaning really was.
Laura believed that there was only one interpretation of the story; she soon realized that that wasn't the case. This Tiv applied their components of culture to the story and found their own meaning. Since these people believe in witchcraft and not ghosts, they felt they had to explain to Laura that the ghosts in the story were actually omens sent by a witch. Moral arguments were hard to explain because their customs were somewhat similar to the character's customs in Hamlet.
Laura found it difficult to explain the meaning of the story because of the Tiv's customs. They felt that many things were wrong in the story. For example, after Horatio saw the dead king's ghost he felt it was a matter for the king's son, Hamlet. The elder thought that omens were matters for elders and chiefs, and that no good would come of going behind a chief's back. When Laura told them that Hamlet was sad because the wife of the king married the king's brother a month after his death, they thought she had done well. This part of the story was a very important element so Laura explained that it was custom for a widow to mourn for two years until she went to her next husband. The woman of the Tiv thought that was too long because they needed men to help with their farms. She explained that there was no need for a husband to do that type of work because Hamlet could do it himself. She soon gave up on trying convincing them other wise.
In another part of the story Laura was trying to explain, she was surprised by how the Tivs perceived people who were crazy.
Demonstrated, by her praying when her mother asks her and attending church as well. Furthermore, in combination with references to slavery from Amanda and a few derogatory terms from Tom one can assume Laura and her family are Caucasian American. Moreover, it can be assumed that the play was written for a time period before it was published in 1944. Shown by the play also making references to the Second World War, and the Spanish civil War, presumably meaning the play took place some time in the late 1930’s. In the play the super-objective of Laura is to protect the alternate reality she has created where she feels far less crippled, and far more accepted. However, Laura faces the obstacle of real life, and her issues with her mother and her brother. The importance of protecting this alternate reality is extremely high to Laura because it is the only thing that has protected her from feeling confusion, pain, and anger towards the problems she faces. Meaning, it’s her only defence against something she has no control over (her illness, her families problems, feeling accepted).
As a mother, she didn’t do her job very well. It was unpleasant to see her smoking a cigarette while being pregnant. In fact, her metal illness was building up that she heard voices speaking to her and imagined herself living in other dimensional, where she didn’t have to worry about anything, she was free (Laura 150). There was no Dan, Richie and Kitty only herself. Laura was reconstructing imagines of Virginia wolf and Clarissa Dalloway. Her personality was changing and developing a different persona, even she wanted to be free as virginal wolf who drowned herself to dead (Laura 150). Sometimes people create personalities from characters that they strong admired, so they can revive them and follow them as a living role. This is a Psychological problem that people often has to face. This illness can change the way of how people thinks and behave. Moreover, Laura thinks that dying is the answers to all her problems. Hence, the author explains that “She sees…and enter a neutral zone, a clean white room, where dying does not seem quite so strange” (Laura 151). As shown above, she sees dying as a beautiful dream, in which herself is transferred into realm where dreams come true. Additionally, her struggles increased and she wants to escape from it. Her plan is to commit suicide on the room of the hotel. But suddenly she regains her conciseness and those terrible thoughts disappear (Laura 151). Then again, Laura sees
Hamlet lead his life in circles, never comfortable enough with his current conditions to settle down. The crisis’ placed upon him were never resolved, because he couldn’t handle decisions, leading to a severe downfall in his family’s life. Such demise began in a terrace of the palace Hamlet called home, with a sighting of a ghost that foreshadowed troubles in the near future.
William Shakespeare often examines the personal transformation of characters in his works. His frequent illustrations of changing players most likely suggests that he is a true believer in the idea of people being able to emotionally grow. Moreso, the author essentially endorses the thought of developing humanity as a living being. Parallel to King Richard in Richard II, he illustrates many characters throughout his works whom undergo similar personal growth. Oftentimes these personal changes occur when a character suffers great loss in life. In this particular play these changes give the readers a chance to develop a bit of fondness in the once ignorant king. Most readers would normally accept positive changes within the mind and soul of characters. In Richard II, Shakespeare depicts the personal stages of King Richard. Ultimately, Richard is illustrated as one who finally embraces humanity, and, in turn, affects the readers’ final response to the ever-changed king in a positive way.
...t of grief and politeness at death, but still, the irony remains. Hamlet ruins his cover and cries about how much he had loved her, yet if he had loved her so much in life why did he treat her so badly? All of the characters seem to twinge with guilt at this untimely death, as though they know that they had been responsible for this tragedy in part.
Although many different positions could be taken on writing an essay for this Shakespearian play, the author took it upon himself to write about Hamlet’s grief. His grief is obvious from the beginning of the play and he continues to grieve althroughout the play. Within his twenty-one-page essay, I chose this line to represent that I agree with his outlook on the play. “…his focus is on his grief and the profound impact in which the ghost has upon it. (Hamlet pg.18 paragraph 3)
William Shakespeare, poet and playwright, utilized humor and irony as he developed specific language for his plays, thereby influencing literature forever. “Shakespeare became popular in the eighteenth century” (Epstein 8). He was the best all around. “Shakespeare was a classic” (8). William Shakespeare is a very known and popular man that has many works, techniques and ways. Shakespeare is the writer of many famous works of literature. His comedies include humor while his plays and poems include irony. Shakespeare sets himself apart by using his own language and word choice. Shakespeare uses certain types of allusions that people always remember, as in the phrase from Romeo and Juliet, “star-crossed lovers”.
This play is about the troubles encountered by young prince Hamlet as he tries to seek revenge for his father?s murder. Hamlet discovers the murder of his father, as well as the adultery and incest committed by his mother and uncle. This results with Hamlet retaining a very embittered and cynical outlook on life. "Or that the Everlasting had not fixed His cannon 'gainst self-slaughter -- how weary, stale, flat, and unprofitable seem to me all the uses of this world." (1.2.131-134). Throughout the play, Hamlet teaches the audience the depths of his depression through soliloquies. Hamlet not only regards the world with pessimism, but he also has suicidal feelings. Hamlet displays thoughts of self that questions the worth of living. The foremost cause for his exasperation and aggravation is the fact that his mother and his uncle, Claudius immediately got married right after his father?s death. His mother's actions seem to be what repulses Hamlet most as he yells, "frailty thy name is woman!" (1.2.146). Hamlet has developed a burning hate towards his mother and women in general. It is this fuming mind-set that is responsible for his terrible treatment towards dear, innocent Ophelia in Act 3.
Scene seven in The Glass Menagerie is critical for the audience to fully understand Laura. In this scene, Laura begins to show a different side...
One does not simply become the father of English literature. To be coined such a grandiose title requires the approval of many, and especially the king of England. Although an entertaining storyline does earn one respect as a writer/poet. It was Shakespeare’s masterful use of literary devices that garners the respect and acknowledgement of many modern day professors. In Act 3, Scene 1, Hamlet begins a soliloquy in which Shakespeare showcases his literary genius.
Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Hamlet’s behavior and actions cause readers to question his sanity. Hamlet’s character can be interpreted in many different ways. It could be said that he is indeed insane, or it can be disputed that he, as he made known, is simply putting on a good act. The complexity of knowing Hamlet’s true character derives from the fact that we, as readers, are unable to read Shakespeare’s or Hamlet’s minds. Therefore, judgments could be made solely by reading and interpreting his behavior and coming up with a satisfactory conclusion. Taking into consideration incidents such as Polonius’ murder and Hamlet’s contemplating suicide, it is natural for individuals who perform such acts to be categorized as crazy. Ignoring Hamlet’s actual actions, and paying keen attention to what altered his character, one can debate that Hamlet is not at all insane. It is important to consider the situations which triggered Hamlet’s different actions. By giving discreet thought to Hamlet’s position and what he endures, one will realize that he is not demented, but he is actually an angry, betrayed and emotionally devastated fatherless son.
Old Hamlet is killed by his brother Claudius. Only two months after her husband’s death a vulnerable Gertrude marries her husband’s brother Claudius. Gertrude’s weakness opens the door for Claudius to take the throne as the king of Denmark. Hamlet is outraged by this, he loses respect for his mother as he feels that she has rejected him and has taken no time to mourn her own husband’s death. One night old Hamlets ghost appears to prince Hamlet and tells him how he was poisoned by his own brother. Up until this point the kingdom of Denmark believed that old Hamlet had died of natural causes. As it was custom, prince Hamlet sought to avenge his father’s death. This leads Hamlet, the main character into a state of internal conflict as he agonises over what action and when to take it as to avenge his father’s death. Shakespeare’s play presents the reader with various forms of conflict which plague his characters. He explores these conflicts through the use of soliloquies, recurring motifs, structure and mirror plotting.
How true is my love? William Shakespeare creates the readers world of wonder. His own marriage was a world of wonder. Shakespeare’s wife was young and beautiful. Her name was Anne Hathaway. She was eight years older than Shakespeare. Shakespeare was eighteen when he married Anne. They were joined in a “hand fast marriage.” This is a contract to marry before witnesses, marked by a kiss and a ring. It is followed by sexual intercourse forming a binding marriage.
England's most talented and well know poet and dramatist was born on April 23, 1564, at Stratford-upon-Avon, located in the cetre of England. His father, John, was a glove-maker and wool dealer involved with money lending. His mother Mary Arden was the daughter of a Farmer. William was the third out of eight children whom all died young. His father became Mayor in 1568, after serving on the town council for many years.
William Shakespeare was a very talented man known for his various works of literature. His works include poems, plays, and sonnets. His works are then broken down into tragedies, comedies, and histories. Shakespeare left this world centuries ago, but his writings continue to live throughout the world today. He has greatly impacted the world of literature and his existence will forever be remembered.