Consider the following concept used when studying Renaissance Literature:
“Art as Mirror: The idea that one function of a work of art is to hold a mirror up to the world and to the audience of the work. The work should reflect the beauty and/or the unattractive aspects of the world and of human behavior. If a work dwells on beauty, it inspires us to make that beauty a part of our own lives and outlook. If the work concentrates on unattractive aspects of the natural or social world, it teaches us that this world cannot be relied upon, or it shows us the kind of behavior and attitudes to avoid. Art is a mirror in the sense that it gives us a chance to ask ourselves if we see reflections of our own faults and sins in the characters or actions depicted, it helps motivate us to change for the better.”
Frost, Jeff. "Some Concepts for Analyzing Renaissance Literature." Fedora Core Test Page. 01jan1996. Fedora Project website. 20 Apr 2007.
The complexity of the persona that is Hamlet allows him to transcend the play and become human. This is proven when he ponders the question of the ties between existence and action, “To be or not to be”(3.1.56), which bridge the turmoil within his mind to become that which can be our own. The ultimate point of Hamlet is to relate it to your life; it is a play about what it means to be human.
Your task is to:
“Art as Mirror: The idea that one function of a work of art is to hold a mirror up to the world and to the audience of the work. The work should reflect the beauty and/or the unattractive aspects of the world and of human behavior. If a work dwells on beauty, it inspires us to make that beauty a part of our own lives and outlook. If the work concentrates on unattractive aspects of the natural or social world, it teaches us that this world cannot be relied upon, or it shows us the kind of behavior and attitudes to avoid. Art is a mirror in the sense that it gives us a chance to ask ourselves if we see reflections of our own faults and sins in the characters or actions depicted, it helps motivate us to change for the better.”
Frost, Jeff. "Some Concepts for Analyzing Renaissance Literature." Fedora Core Test Page. 01jan1996. Fedora Project website. 20 Apr 2007
The complexity of the persona that is Hamlet allows him to transcend the play and become human. This is proven when he ponders the question of the ties between existence and action, “To be or not to be”(3.1.56), which bridge the turmoil within his mind to become that which can be our own. The ultimate point of Hamlet is to relate it to your life; it is a play about what it means to be human.
Your task is to:
a) Apply Hamlet to your life by reflecting on how you can relate to him.
OR
b) Relate Hamlet to another character(s) from a previously studied text, incorporating emotional parallels and touching upon the greater theme of the human condition.
1 comment:
It is evident that William Shakespeare, a genius, was able to capture the very essence of humanity. Indeed, to understand humanity- from the underlying intentions of their actions to innate personal characteristics, an individual must understand Shakespeare and the themes the art exemplifies. This is apparent in Hamlet Prince of Denmark, where there is a strong sense of parallelism between the characters of Hamlet and the people of today’s society. Ultimately, people can relate to Hamlet through denoting how their state of mind can influence their decisions and by Hamlet’s tendency to procrastinate.
It is clear that people can relate to Hamlet through the fact that Hamlet shows how one person’s state of mind affects their actions. As the play begins, it displays Hamlets emotional state of mind to be melancholy-a gloomy state of mind. Indeed, Hamlet’s state of mind reflects his actions and speech. Hamlet says, “O that this too too sullied flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew, Or that the Everlasting had not fix’d” (1.2.129-131). People, such as teenagers are able to relate to Hamlet in this sense as their actions will also reflect on their state of mind.
Also likewise, similar to Hamlet, people fail to act even when the opportunity is bestowed amongst them. That is, Hamlet’s tendency to procrastinate is what allows people to be able to relate Hamlet. “Do not forget This visitation is but to what thy almost blunted purpose” (3.2.111-112). Thus as people receive the opportunity to pursue their goal, people tend to hesitate and as a result incorporate less action and rather more thinking.
In conclusion, people can relate to Hamlet in the sense where their state of mind can influence their decisions and through their tendency to procrastinate.
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