Hamlet as a philosopher...

In class this last week , my group discussed Hamlet as a philosopher. His "to be, or not to be" soliloquy reveals Hamlet's role as a philosopher and yields well to an existential reading. Existentialism describes the philosophy which includes confusion in an "absurd" world. Also, philosophers like Fichte and early Schelling believe that human existence is action.

Two quotes that we brought up were the following along with explanations:

"To be, or not to be, that is the question"(3.1.56)

Hamlet could literally be questioning "to act or not to act" which connects to the philosophies of Fichte and Schelling. In this soliloquy, Hamlet questions his own existence seeming very suicidal. It is possible that he feels that since he has lacked action or progress in the plot to avenge the murder of his father, he lacks existence because existence is action. if he is no acting then he is not existing. Nevertheless, I believe Hamlet does not fully grasp what the essence of his existence is. Back in act 1, we see that he is deeply frustrated that his fate holds the revenge of his father on its shoulders. Thus, Hamlet might be expressing here that he is not in control of his own fate, his actions. i also think that Hamlet misinterprets the definition of acting that is existence. We see that he wants to put on a play to "catch" the conscience of the king , Claudius. Also, it is not known whether Hamlet acts mad or truly is mad. Thus, I believe that Hamlet's interpretation of action is putting on a performance or pretending to be something that he is not in order to mask his own true intentions. I think he tries to get rid of his own confusion over the calamitous state of Denmark and his own responsibilities that he tries to distract himself by trying to unmask other men. He tries to get rid of their appearances to show their true nature.

"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-there's the respect that makes calamity of so long life..." (3.1.65-69)

Hamlet acts as a philosopher her as well as he weighs the pros and cons of death. Earlier in the soliloquy Hamlet questions his own physical existence asking if it be better to stand the hardships of life or end one's own life to escape them . However, Hamlet is halted at his seemingly suicidal thoughts by the fact that there is even more uncertainty in death. Hamlet seems to believe that it is man's fear of death that makes him stand living. Why is Hamlet questioning dying though? We agreed that this seems cowardly. He would be giving up on himself and his father. Furthermore, Hamlet considers death yet still finds no hope in his own death. I think Hamlet is unsure of two things here (1) his own fate and (2) the fate of the kingdom

 

Invisible Man

Invisible Man....hmmm where to start? I still do not have a complete grasp on this text yet. It is robust with allusions and meaning which makes it even harder to completely understadn the protagnist and the plot at times. So far;however, I have kept trak of a few motifs and conflicts that I am seeing play out in the text. First off, I think there is an important parallel between educated and noneducated blacks. At the Golden Day, the veterans refer to the protagonist as "school boy". I think this is supposed to be derogatory towards him. It is as if they resenthim because he is trying to get an education. Something to think about further into the book.The next interesting relationship I have noticed is that between the anonymous protagonist (or should I say antagonist???  I will just refer to him as the protagonist for now.) I am not quite sure at the moment) and Mr. Norton, a successful white male that the protagonist is chauffering at the moment. I think the protagonist wants to believe that Mr. norton is different than other white people in society;however, I believe that he holds the same prejudices as the majority of the white class during this time.The protagonist really irks me I have recently discovered. You expect that in a seemingly repressive, racially conscious society that the protagonist would connect more with his own race. However, he is so so so ancious over making himself appealing to the "white man" and pleasing them. He is concerned with this so much so that any blaack person that he meets, he expresses almost a deep rooted animosity or disapporval to them if they conduct themselves in a way that he deems unpleasant in the company of 'white folk". For instance, Mr. Norton meets Trueblood, and really wants to hear his story which he tells very candidly. However, the protagonist is so worried about what he will think when he finds out that Trueblood raped his own daughter.He tries to rush him syaing theat they better get back to campis but Mr. Norton waves his hand away in annoyance. There is a situation of dramatic irony in which the protagonist is aware of Trueblood's story but Mr. norton is blindly unaware of his indiscretions. Teh protagonist possibly does not want black people to look lowly or uncivilized in teh eyes of the white class. Because in this society whites hold teh power, I believe the protagonist feels he has to abide by a certain standard in order to be accepted by them. He is perturbed that people like Trueblood and others at the Golden Day do not seem to censor their conduct in front of white people. thus, I asked my self, why does he seem to be the only black person thus far who is so concerned with being accepted by a class that does not accept him? He says in the porlogue that people do not see him. I interpreted this to mean that "him" is referred to hjis conscious or soul. Thus, he  is overlooked for teh sake of his outward skin color. Maybe he is just trying to better himself in a society where blacks can only hope to rise out of their condition (if even a little bit) by serving the white, superior class. I see his waiting on Mr. Norton and being so concerned with every move he makes in front of him as a form of slavery in itself. He is sacrificing his true self for teh sake of someone else's pleasure (at least I assume he does not wish to do this kind of work ideally).

Poetry

 

When I came last to Ludlow by A.E. Housman When I came last to Ludlow Amidst the moonlight pale, Two friends kept step beside me, Two honest lads and hale. Now Dick lies long in the churchyard, And Ned lies long in jail, And I come home to Ludlow Amidst the moonlight pale. The speaker the poem reflects on when they "came last to Ludlow" suggesting that he is there currently. Ludlow is a town in England. On his last visit to Ludlow the speaker reveals that they were "amidst the moonlight pale". The moon is a feminine symbol. It represents the rhythm of time. Also, the moon reflects inner knowledge and the phases of man's condition on earth. It is the middle ground between the light of the sun and the darkness of night and represents the realsm between the conscious and unconsious, the soul. The speaker refers to the moon as "pale"  connoting that the light of the moon lacks intensity and brilliance. This connection possible suggests that the speaker cannot see clearly or lacking in knowledge. The speaker continues to state that two freinds accompany him, poeple he considers to be "honest lads and hale". They describe that the friends "kept step beside me" suggesting that these people are not only close in proximity but have a close relationship with the speaker. Their characterization of being honest connotes many descriptions including honorable in principles, truthful, and respectable. The speaker also goes on to state that their two friends are "hale" meaning free from disease or infirmity, robust, or vigorous. It is intersting that the speaker references their friends helath. I also think that their may be significance that the speaker walks with two friends. The number two is indicative of duality, opposites, and antithesis. It is also associated with the two natures of Christ, human and divine. If in fact these friends represent duality, this emphasizes their relationship to the speaker. I am not sure how this could relate to the ideas in this poem;however, there is an ABAB rhyme scheme present as well in both stanzas.The transition to the following and concluding stanza can be interperted as a shift. The speaker expressed in the first stanza that his friends were in good health; however, presently "Dick lies lon in the churchyard" and "Ned lies long in jail". Of his two friends, one has passed and the other imprisoned. It is possibel that the speaker is trying to reveal that he is lonely wiht both of his friends gone . He states, "And I come home to Ludlow / Amids the moonlight pale". I beileve their is an emphasis on I in this line as the speaker is now alone. There was once a time whenhis friends wlaked beside him; however, now he continues alone at light suggesting a somber tone. The repetition of the concluding lines with the introduction lines stresses the speakers state of mind as somber and melancholy. However, upon second thought this may not be because of the loss fo his two friends. He expresses the same town before his friends' death adn incarceration as he does after. This revelation suggests that the speaker was not affected by the loss of his friends. Is he twisted? Maybe  I am reading too much into this or perhaps not enough...

Hamlet...

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are cast areas mirrors of one another. They both pledge by heaven to fulfill King Claudius’s request to determine the root of Lord Hamlet’s madness. In this proclamation, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern’s loyalty and trustworthiness as true companions to Hamlet is to be questioned. Both so readily give up themselves freely to King Claudius’s demands with no concern it seems that the subject of their spying is a friend, Hamlet. Both “sweet talk” Hamlet as “My honoured lord!” and “My most dear lord!” (2.224-25). However, their readiness to act against Hamlet’s behalf only magnifies the falsehood of their claims of honor toeards Lord Hamlet. Both characters play an more major significance in elucidating the sciope of the corruption that has resulted from claudious’s murderous ascent o the Elsinore throne. Hamlet has since learned that Claudius’s hands were  the root of his own father’s death and thus the kingdom that was once a garden is now full of weeds. Hamlet feels as if Claudius has corrupted his family, forming an incestuous marriage with his mother and ousting his father. Thus, it is possible that Claudius is corrupting Hamlet’s other relationships as well, this includes Guildenstern and Rosencrantz. When Hamlet asks as to the reasons fo their presence at Elsinore, both lie saying that they are just visititing. However, it seems as if Hamlet is suspiscious of their true motivations questioning, “were you not sent for? Is it your own inclining” (2.2.77-78). They eventually give in revewling that they were sent for. Their willingness to lieto a close friend on behalf o fteh King discredits their trustworthiness in the scope fo the play. Furthermore, it emphasizes that no one is to really be trusted with Claudius in power as he seems to have a influence on everyone that Hamlet is involved with.Gertrude as well seems to be losing trustworthiness for Hamlet. Her actions and thoughts are tainted by King Cluasius, her now husband. Everything she says is in compliance or extension fo King Claudius’s statements. She only thus far speaks when following Clausius’s statement or directing people. The only time in this scene that reveals Gertrudes hint of remaining concern over her son Hamlet is when she states, “I doubt it is no other but the main, his father’s death and our o’erhasty marriage” that has caused Hamlet to act out of sorts (2.2. 55-56). She is coming to his defense for once since her misguided marriage to Claudius. Thus, there could still be hope for Hamlet to restore the order, the garden that flourished when his Hyperios father was King. Gertrude is not all corrupted by Claudius and shows that she still has some understanding and empathy for her son.