Discuss the idea(s) developed by the text creator about the human need to make a commitment or renounce a course of action. Existentialism is one of many hallmarks of hellenistic philosophy and civilization. No other intellectual tradition has been as thoroughly preoccupied with defining the individual’s consciousness than Western philosophy, and no other philosophy has strived to define the responsibilities and prerogatives of the individual and has made it as central a concern as Western societies. Within the concept of individuality, comes an existential, and possibly nihilistic struggle. A conflict of reality to the human mind. Making wild, possibly absurd attempts to rationalize one’s existence, through religion, work, tradition, art …show more content…
or any number of things. Humans are nearly always left unfulfilled and inquisitive in regards to the meaning of their lives. Debating the possible solution of suicide, alleviating the pain of uncertainty and emptiness, clashes with the fear of the unknown, leaving one just as befuddled. The individual is no closer to the goal of purpose. This most human of struggles is not lost on William Shakespeare, and he illustrates the self-perpetuated, introspective contemplation in his world-renowned play “Hamlet”. The character Hamlet is the fictitious embodiment of human’s philosophical struggle regarding the ambiguity of existence and the need to make a commitment. For hundreds of years western philosophers have put a massive emphasis on human subject.
Holding individuality, the logical mind and the human need for freedom as the most valued of metaphysical ideas. The ability to think, and feel and understand one’s own existence has been a philosophical inquiry that has stumped the brightest of minds for centuries. A question that has spawned a plethora of different answers. Søren Kierkegaard is widely regarded as the first existential philosopher, stating “each individual—not society or religion—is solely responsible for giving meaning to life and living it passionately and sincerely”. A sentence spoken with the figurative weight of the world attached to it. All individuals responsible to holding up their own sky. Every human akin to that of ancient Gilgamesh; to search and discover the meaning to their own life. This philosophy of existence subsequently can bring forth disparaging and crushing questions. One may find oneself wondering if there really is any point to applying meaning to life, as it is only artificial and poses no real impact towards the grand scheme of things. One may also feel overwhelmed, as discovering the meaning to one’s life, such that can inspire passion and authenticity, is no menial tasks. In fact, it is plausibly the most momentous of tasks the Human soul may ever endeavour. In Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, the titular character is massively representative of the human struggle to apply meaning to a chaotic, confusing and even meaningless existence. Hamlet is a sensitive, intuitive and thoughtful man. He struggles as so many have to discover what his life’s ultimate meaning is. He constantly is questioning human’s existence, one can observe this mental strife in Act II, scene ii when Hamlet says “What a piece of work is man”. Hamlet describes the wonders of humankind and humans incredible abilities. He finishes his monologue by saying “And yet to me, What is this quintessence of dust?”. The tragic hero is
depressed by the incredibly complicated introspective struggle that comes from trying to comprehend one’s existence. In effect Hamlet is symbolic of so many women and men before and after him who face the same unique, and, at times, horrifying struggle. Representative of all those who begin the epic journey to apply their own meaning to life, so too does the danish prince. As Hamlet contemplates why he would even put up with the incredible anguish he is going though, “To die—to sleep,/No more; and by a sleep to say we end/The heartache and the thousand natural shocks/That flesh is heir to: 'tis a consummation/Devoutly to be wish'd.”(III, i, 5-9). Hamlet debates internally whether one should go on with living and seemingly pointless existence, or to give up and no longer be bothered by the incessant monotonies of life. Like so many others who face the monstrous task of existential meaning, he decides against suicide. For Hamlet, it is a matter of religion, for others it is based on human ambition, honour, fear or any number of things. The reasoning matters little, the decision being the important issue. Through the thoughts of a goal, Hamlet believes that making a commitment to something will achieving fulfillment. Hamlet attempts to rationalize his existence, and apply meaning through committing to honour and action. The scandinavian noble is tasked to avenge his father's death. Hamlet explores the purpose of action in a man’s life: "How all occasions do inform against me." (Act IV, scene ii). He then sets his mind on action and impulse, believing that through these, he will achieve honour, and through that, fulfillment. The fourth act ends with Hamlet exclaiming “Let my thoughts be bloody, or nothing worth!”. Representing one, deciding on a path the fulfillment, perhaps with ambivalence. Though Hamlet chooses action, it is his act of choice that represents all existential humans who too are desperately trying to find meaning in a chaotic universe. As chaotic as the universe is, Hamlet realizes that “grand scheme of things” matters very little, finally valuing the ability for the individual to exist, simply in life. At the end of the play, as events climax and deaths inky shadow looms over the sweet prince, He appears to have an epiphany. After Hamlet has fulfilled his goal of action by restoring justice to his father's unjust death, whilst being mortally wounded himself, he find his own self to be unfulfilled. Lying in impending death, Hamlet sees it as the end of his misery, but for some reason refuses to let Horatio, his closest friend commit suicide. Horatio is an intelligent scholar. Horatio, like Hamlet, appears also to be searching for a meaning to life. Hamlet realizes that by searching explicitly for a blatant meaning of life, one only will find more emptiness. A tragic paradox that is summed up in the words of the arabian philosopher Rashīd ad-Dīn Sinān “He who increaseth Knowledge, increaseth sorrow”. Hamlet speaks to Horatio:“ Give me the cup. Let Go! By heaven, I’ll ha’t./O God, Horatio, what a wounded name, Things standing thus unknown, shall I leave behind me!”(Act V, scene ii). Hamlet refuses to let Horatio die, telling him to live a good life and to tell Hamlet’s story. Hamlet understands that by committing to a goal in life, one may unintentionally find meaning in something else. By directly committing to one goal, one indirectly achieves the goal of discovering meaning. One through the wisdom that comes from a human’s fading light does Hamlet make this realization. By giving Horatio a reason to live, Hamlet gives horatio the path needed to unintentionally finding fulfillment. As Hamlet represents the human need to make a commitment to find meaning, he then serves as a giver of advice. The danish prince represents Human’s initial struggle to understand one’s existence, feeling a sense of dread and terror due to the chaotic universes complete disregard for humanity. Hamlet then becomes a metaphor for all of those who commit to something hoping to find existential fulfillment through some method. Finally hamlet represents those who have actually discovered how to find meaning, although not having discovered meaning itself. Hamlet imparts advice to Horatio, and thereby, advice to the audience. Hamlet makes the the absurd but wise statement that only by making a commitment not explicitly regarding the discovery of fulfillment, will we actually discover a fulfillment in life. Hamlet's advice is expressed through the words of poet Matt Berninger “It’s the Side effects that save us.”
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.
Throughout the novel, Hamlet journeys through the grieving process in the stage of anger, depression, and acceptance. Elisabeth Kubler Ross states, “The purpose of life is more than these stages….it is not just about the life lost but also the life lived”
“The thing is to understand myself, to see what God really wishes me to do; the thing is to find a truth which is true for me, to find the idea for which I can live and die” (Kierkegaard 95). Søren Kierkegaard was a clear supporter of expressing our own personality. He wanted us to take the time to find our true selves. Even though he acknowledged there were social systems in our society, he still believed we were our own individual human being. The only way to make sense of our life and find our individuality is to embrace our faith in God. Kierkegaard wanted human beings to be able to exercise their freedom. Human beings should not postpone their choices simply because they do not know the universal truth. As humans we cannot postpone our choices because we will never
Shakespeare’s Hamlet happened to be written in the period of Elizabethan values. One of the most significant values the absolute dedication to divinity. This dedication formed religious beliefs and the notions of destiny and fate and the search for the meaning contrast widely to Stoppard’s outlooks which were determined by Existentialist philosophy.
In life, one goes through different experiences which makes and shapes us into the person who we become. Whether something as little as a "hello" by a crush or a death in a family, they contribute to the difference, as they are all equal in importance. In the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the protagonist Hamlet struggles throughout his life as he is in search of his true identity. The Webster's dictionary, under the second definition, defines identity as "The set of behavioral or personal characteristics by which an individual is recognizable as a member of a group." As life only moves forward for Hamlet, he struggles to find his place in life, nonetheless to revenge the murder of his father.
Guignon, B. C. and Pereboom, D. (eds). (2001). Existentialism: Basic Writings. Indianapolis, IN: Hacket Publishing.
An understanding of William Shakespeare’s philosophies reinforces the meaning of the human condition found in the play Hamlet. The revenge tragedy is an example in the exploration of good versus evil, deceit, madness, inter-turmoil, and utter existence. Shakespeare, fascinated by the human mind and human nature, clearly and completely illustrates the meaning of “self.” Hamlet is a drama that examines one’s personal identity. From the beginning of the story atop the castle when the guards enter the platform to the conclusion of the performance as Hamlet lies, dying in Horatio’s arms every characters’ psychological type is
classicmoviescripts/script/seventhseal.txt. Internet. 4 May 2004. Blackham, H. J. Six Existentialist Thinkers. New York: Harper, 1952. Choron, Jacques. Death and Western Thought. New York: Collier Books, 1963.
Although referred to as a distinct philosophy, it seems nearly impossible to find an exact definition for the term “existentialism.” This is primarily true because existen...
Hamlet appears to be a rather philosophical character. He is skeptical and expresses views that nowadays can be described as existential and relativist, but those terms did not exist in Shakespeare’s time. Existentialism analyzes existence and the way humans appear to exist in this world. It is concerned with the individual; finding oneself and finding a meaning to life by one’s own measures.That is exactly what Hamlet is going through. Presented with the jarring conflict of avenging his father’s death, Hamlet finds his meaning to life shortly before dying himself among others tangled in this mess. He was tasked by the ghost of his father to kill Claudius in an act of vengeance, which would be considered noble (though in this case, it is a regicide avenging a regicide; treason for treason). The ideals of society demand that he...
To be without value or meaning permits the violation of norm behavioral standards. Existentialism is championed in the responsibility and free will of man. The world is utterly “worthless, meaningless, empty, and hopeless, … to use a favorite Existentialism, absurd”(Ross 1). A man must become unconventional by supplying an authentic meaning to life. Shakespeare’s character Hamlet in the play Hamlet, explores these existential principles as he seeks truth and understanding after his father’s murder. He attempts to establish order in a chaotic world full of betrayal, spying, and death. This leads to Hamlet’s inevitable downfall and the death of those close to him. Hamlet rises as the existential hero in Shakespeare’s Hamlet through his confrontation with moral responsibilities and the purpose of life. The existential ideal gives structure and meaning to the action of Hamlet.
The Merriam – Webster Dictionary defines existentialism as a chiefly 20th century philosophical movement embracing diverse doctrines but centering on analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe and the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad (Merriam, 2011). In other words, an existentialist believes that our natures are the natures we make for ourselves, the meaning of our existence is that we just exist and there may or may not be a meaning for the existence, and we have to individually decide what is right or wrong and good or bad for ourselves. No one can answer any of those things for us. A good example of existentialism is Woody Allen’s movie, Deconstructing Harry. A man is haunted by his past and his past has followed him into the present. He is a wreck not because of the things that happened to him, but because of the choices he made. He is consumed by regret and insecurity and he tries to find blame in his situation with someone other than himself, however he cannot (Barnes, 2011). Throughout the rest of this paper I will be discussing two of the most prominent existentialists, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche.
Sadigh, Micah. "The Foundation of Existentialism In The Oldest Story Ever Told." Existential Anaylsis: Journal Of The Society For Existential Analysis 21.1 (2010): 76-88.
Kreis, Steven. Lecture 12: The Existentialist Frame of Mind. 25 July 2002. The History Guide. 27 Nov. 2002.
Explain the six propositions of this theory and give your opinion of each proposition and for the theory in general.