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Appearance vs reality in hamlet
Hamlet's mental state to be or not to be
Hamlet to be or not to be suicide
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To Be or Not to Be - Hamlet's Answer
As Hamlet approaches a waiting Ophelia, he begins one of the most famous soliloquies in all of literature with the immortal line: 'To be or not to be?that is the question' (III. i. 64). Yet this obvious reference to suicide only scratches the surface of the heart-rendering conflict felt by the young Dane.
Hamlet's impetuous desire to take his own life is only an impassioned reaction to the heavy burden of revenge that his father's murder has placed upon him. His greater struggle, and the focus of Hamlet itself, involves the questioning of the purpose and meaning of a life well-lived. The character of Hamlet pursues this knowledge through his manipulation of reality, his search for the courage necessary to fulfill his quest, and his eventual acceptance of his true responsibility.
Soon after the death of his father, Hamlet discovers the deceptive nature of appearances.
When the queen questions why he is so distracted by the appearance of those mourning, he replies by describing the facades of others:
These indeed ?seem,?
For they are actions that a man might play;
But I have that within which passes show,
These but the trappings and the suits of woe. (I. ii. 86-89)
Hamlet knows that his grief is genuine, and he is angered by what he believes are the superficial responses of others. Yet that anger soon turns to introspection as he considers the power of such role-playing. As he banters with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern as they feebly attempt to discover the source of his bizarre behavior, Hamlet tells them that ?there is / nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it / so? (II. ii. 268-270). He has quickly learned that appearances can be altered and actions feigned...
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...what is?t to leave betimes? Let be. (V. ii. 234-238)
In his search to better understand his own purpose in life, Hamlet has inadvertently answered the question he so profoundly posed earlier in the play. Through observing the nature of reality and man?s ability to shape it, he learned more about the nature of truth. In discovering an inner sense of courage upon which he could draw, he found the strength he needed to follow his convictions. And finally, by accepting the reality of man?s temporal existence, he came to believe that integrity of thought and action is what gives life its meaning. ?To be or not to be ?? (III. i. 64). Shakespeare?s Hamlet offers a resounding answer to this enigma: if life is lived righteously and with conviction of purpose, then ?Let be? (V. ii. 238).
WORKS CITED
Shakespeare, William. Hamlet. New York: Washington Square, 1992.
Byerman, Keith. "Songs of the Ancestors: Family in Song of Solomon." Approaches to Teaching the Novels of Toni Morrison. Ed. Nellie McKay. New York: MLA, 1997.
The setting in Song of Solomon is a good comparative area beginning in Pittsburgh an industrial city closer to the North yet closer to the south than other northern states. When Milkman travels to Virginia it’s like entering a whole new world compared to where he came from. Milkman and Guitar both had family experience with racism to align their view form a young age about the world they live in. Milkman’s grandfather Solomon ‘flew’ away from his life because of slavery, and Guitar’s grandfather died because of his white employers. While it seems as if everyone in the novel is trying to flee the grip of their families past as slaves, in reality, they are only further enslaving themselves. For example, Macon Dead tells Milkman that if he wants to be free, he must have money, so that he can own people, which is a direct reversal of his own past, yet it traps Macon in a position where he is enslaved to his job while society simultaneously works against him. These connections to slavery that Milkman and Guitar’s families possess, keep them from being able to escape the captivity of this ideology. This can make you think if the Seven Days are justified in what they do with all the things going against African
Racism has been a sensitive issue that was illustrated by Toni Morison in his book. Most of the main characters in Song of Solomon are black, and only few are white. The author uses “white” characters to symbolize cruelty and misconduct that has been blooming at that period of time. When Guitar’s father accidentally dies in a sawmill accident, the white foreman did not show much compassion or support toward his family. Similarly, white animals like bull and peacock hold pessimistic associations in a book. A white bull causes Freddie’s mother to go into labor and die and the white peacock causes Guitar and Milkman to become gluttonous and obsessed with the idea of becoming wealthy. Therefore, the author signifies white color with unhappiness and discontent among “blacks”.
Davis, Cynthia A. "Self, Society, and Myth in Toni Morrison's Fiction." Contemporary Literature. 3rd ed. Vol. 23. N.p.: University of Wisconsin, n.d. 323-42. JSTOR. Web. 17 Apr. 2014. .
The genetic engineering of foods has, in one sense, been in existence for hundreds of years. The first time Gregor Mendel bred different varieties of pea plants to observe the various traits present in their offspring, the concept was born. Today, genetic engineering has developed into one of the most complex and advanced fields of scientific thinking, all the while provoking many questions and acquiring many opponents along the way. While there are compelling arguments presented for each side of the issue, the simple fact is that genetically modified (GM) foods are a reality, especially in the United States, as they are already present in many products that are consumed on a daily basis. Just as the market for GM foods has increased, the level of opposition has increased as well, even up to the point of terrorist action against producers, growers, and sellers of genetically modified foods. So the question is posed, will GM foods be the future or the failure of our agricultural system?
One of the most famous Shakespearean lines-"To be or not to be, that is the question” is found in Hamlet, spoken by the title character himself. While this is the most obvious reference that Hamlet makes to this own philosophy, Hamlet makes frequent proclamations about his stifled life throughout the play. Hamlet views his life in a negative manner, to the point where he finds himself contemplating whether or not to end his own life. Hamlet does not value his life, which causes him to become flustered with himself and his lack of action. Therefore, demonstrating that Hamlet does not value his life as one should.
This famous soliloquy offers a dark and deep contemplation of the nature of life and death. Hamlet’s contemplative, philosophical, and angry tones demonstrate the emotions all people feel throughout their lifetimes.
Toni Morrison is an accomplished and renowned author. Her writing has earned her many accolades including the Noble Prize in Literature and the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. Numerous styles of writing are incorporated into her literary work such as fantasy and her poetic style. Significant historical references are just one of the many different techniques that are the most occurring within her writing. This allows her works to be easily read and understood by the reader. Her upbringing around a culturally strong family and the world of literature allowed for her love of writing arising. Significant history references, unmatched use of language and unorthodox comparisons are all factors that contribute to Toni Morrison's unique, yet recognizable writing style.
Morrison, Toni. “Recitatif.” African-American Literature: A Brief Introduction and Anthology. Ed. Al Young. New York: HarperCollins, 1996. 209-255.
Hamlet’s psychological influence demonstrates his dread of both death and life. In Hamlet’s famous soliloquy, “To be or not to be” (3.1.64), he refers the “be” to life and further asks “whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” (3.1.65.66). By this, Hamlet is asking himself the question of whether to live or die.
One of the most intriguing topics to do scientific research on is deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) repair. Upon doing more research on DNA repair, one can realize that DNA repair is a very complex and interesting topic. DNA repair is a series of processes by which a cell identifies and corrects damage to the DNA molecules that encode its genome. DNA damage can be caused by certain wavelengths of radiation, such as ionizing radiation and ultraviolet rays, highly-reactive oxygen radicals produced during cellular respiration and other biochemical pathways, and chemicals in the environment and those used in chemotherapy to treat cancer. As a result of this damage, the cell initiates the repair of its DNA molecules. Bacterial proteins help with the DNA
Genetically modified foods is one of the most controversial issues around the world. GMOs (genetically modified foods) are defined as organisms that have had their genetic materials altered in a way that does not occur in nature. Doing this is supposed to improve both the quality and shelf life of most agricultural products. GMO’s have spread worldwide concern with both health and environmental effects. Both of these concerns brought up a lot of controversy. People across the world are asking questions on the environmental and health effects that these foods will have on us and the world we live in. There are both advantages and disadvantages that genetically modified foods will have on our country.
Ever since genetically modified foods, or GM foods, have been introduced to the world, there has been a controversy of whether they are ethical to society. There are many different point of views on the issue of genetically modifying food throughout the world; some supporting, some against, and some unsure. Although people have all these different viewpoints about genetically modified foods, many do not truly understand what these genetically modified foods are and mean for their health, environment, and society.
Hamlet’s mourning about the death of his father and the remarriage of his mother drives him to madness. This is the main characters inner tragedy that Shakespeare expresses in the play. First he considers suicide but the ghost of King Hamlet sends him on a different path, directing him to revenge his death. Shakespeare uses Hamlet to articulate his thoughts about life, death and revenge. Being a moral character he must decide if revenge is the right thing to do. Shakespeare relays many scenarios of reasoning to the audience about mankind His hero sets the wrongs on mankind right again.
Hamlet’s anger and grief- primarily stemming from his mother’s marriage to Claudius- brings him to thoughts of suicide, which only subside as a result of it being a mortal and religious sin. The fact that he wants to take his own life demonstrates a weakness in his character; a sense of cowarness, his decision not to kill himself because of religious beliefs shows that this weakness is balanced with some sense of morality. Such an obvious paradox is only one example of the inner conflict and turmoil that will eventually lead to Hamlet’s downfall.