Hamlet is one of those stories the typical High Schoolers dread reading.
Its complicated wording and deep meanings makes us think more than we normally
want to but the more you read into it the better it is reflected upon modern
society. Existentialism is the key here; just as many of the characters
in Hamlet are looking for their own existence in life so are we. Doing daily
things like school and work all serve the purpose of finding ones true self. As
the story develops Hamlet is thrown into several situations that define his
character and ultimately leads to him out casting himself in the sake of
revenge. Upon finishing the reading I felt that Hamlet did not know what he
truly wanted from his life and that sense of unknown is what drew him to revenge
in order to have some purpose. I feel like I know what I want to do with my
life but when I actually sit and think about it I have no clue. So I have no
choice but to move forward and continue to mold my own being so I feel like I
can exist. If you want to learn more about existentialism visit http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/existentialism.htm or watch the film Rosencrantz and Guildenstern
are dead.
Existentialism is a very interesting topic. I believe it definitely has a role in everyone's life at every step of the way. I used the link to provide some extra backdrop for the concept and I think is is just another element of reality that makes Hamlet so relatable.
ReplyDeleteMichael Garcia
I agree with martin, I dreaded reading hamlet because the wording and everything seem so hard to understand, but now in college it seemed a bit easyer but still seemed unique and watching the movie was interesting.
ReplyDeleteyvetteortiz
reading hamlet was difficult for me because of the words also but i enjoyed the movie
ReplyDeleteI agree with your assessment 100%. Hamlet had a good thing going with a father that was a king, a loyal friend, and a loyal- yet misguided girlfriend. He didn't know of much else and suddenly his father is killed, he gets visions, his girlfriend won't talk to him, and he learns his Uncle is the killer of his father while being married to his mother... yeah, not quite the situation a young man is equipped to deal with rationally or emotionally. He had to find out who he was as a person while also dealing with deep and twisted moral dilemmas.
ReplyDeleteBrian McNulty
The head of the nail was hit with your post. I think that we all have (and rightly should)a sense of what we desire in life, but if we really think about it, there are so many choices and branches off of the path that we choose at a moment's notice. I feel as though Hamlet had a general way in which he was heading, but actions by himself and others will skew his mind and feelings, much like most "sane" people in the world today.
ReplyDeleteAlex Stofferan
interesting blog, thanks for the lesson on existantialism totally agree!
ReplyDeleteThe play hamlet was quite difficult to comprehend however, the movie really clarified much of the confusion
ReplyDeleteGreat follow up website. I agree that Hamlet didn't know what he wanted in life after his father's passing. It's understandable and unfortunate to see him deal with the death of his father and the sudden marriage of his mother to his uncle. I would like to know who you think the characters in the play are Existentialists?
ReplyDeleteGilberto Flores
I agree, Hamlet did seem like a spoiled brat who didn't have any duties of his own. Goodness he couldn't even win a play sword fight. He seemed weak in many parts of the play and it makes sense that avenging his father would give him some sense of purpose.
ReplyDeleteCassidy S.
Hamlet was seen to be questioning his life a lot in the beginning of the play but I don't believe he had that much existentialism after he chose his course of action. He did say he had to act crazy around the other characters, so talking about suicide around them probably made it look like he was an existentialist.
ReplyDeleteAs with most others Hamlet was a difficult reading to start. I visualize very in depth what I read so most of the time I would have to read a page or a portion and then go back to reread and put "acting" into it so that I can try and fully understand what is going on.
ReplyDeleteGilbert Rangel