Understanding Existentialism

Do we matter? Do we seek personal happiness in life? These are questions from existentialism. The dictionary defines existentialism as an individual’s experience filled with isolation in a hostile universe where a human being attempts to find true self and the meaning of life through free will, choice, and personal responsibility. Hamlet is an existentialist character who believes that he is forced to avenge his father’s death and the hatred builds in his heart because of the many betrayals which direct him towards a senseless life and constant thoughts about suicide; this ultimately leads to his demise and he is left with naught. The narrator from “Things that Fly” has obviously gone through some sort of abandonment which has affected him negatively and he is left to live a chaotic life where he expresses the desire to be a bird who not only have mating partners and ability to fly but also can escape their troubles easily. These two characters have gone through traumatic events and thus are not capable to control the world and act freely but they miraculously manage to overcome their dilemmas and attain happiness of some sort in the end.

Hamlet and the narrator from “Things that fly” have both suffered through traumatic and catastrophic events in their life; these events have left them feeling depressed and mainly leaving them with a feeling that they are excluded from the world. Hamlet’s life turns upside-down after Hamlet’s father King Hamlet expires and following that his mother, Gertrude marries Hamlet’s uncle Claudius in short amount of time. Hamlet is not fond of Claudius and the idea of his mother not mourning long enough before her incestuous marriage deeply upsets and angers him. After trusting the ghost of King Hamle...

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...re are always hard times in life But after he realized that the birds is what he wants to be like who are able to survive a wreck, have a mating partner, birds make him realize that it is hard to learn anything in life. One should make the best of everything, decided to move forward with his life in a positive direction, wants to save superman. Authencity: Made this choice for himself not others. No leap of faith. Hamlet: Cannot commit suicide because it is a sin and if he does, he won’t go to heaven, is afraid of unknown afterlife. Leap of faith: his faith stops him committing suicide. Hamlet realizes he can’t die because he has to get revenge for his death. He does get happiness for a little while when he knows he kills Claudius but ultimately sacrifices his own life to make father happy. Not Authencity because he is forced to get revenge for his father.