The Value Of Life In Hamlet By William Shakespeare

Words: 729

Pages: 3

Open Document

Life has always been the biggest topic for human kind as we try to determine our existence. And from this topic there has emerged how do we value life. What is life measured by? I believe it is not measured by the minutes lived, but how these minutes are spent. It is the way we live and what we do to help others that gives value to life and these things can not be measured in a monetary fashion. A few people have given their own opinions of the value of life such as Hamlet's soliloquy, What is Life worth, and Human Life Calculator. Life should be based on the individual and with an understanding that each life is different and does not give a definite quantitative measure. This is why I believe the most in Shakespeare's view. Shakespeare wrote, “...And make us rather bear these ills we have / Than fly to others that we know not at all.” in his play Hamlet during hamlet's soliloquy. Hamlet is saying that life is full of sorrow, but we continue living because our fear of what happens after death scares us. I believe that Hamlet's view of life is caused by …show more content…
I believe that this view should be discussed on a case by case basis as , “Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them.” I believe that people should be allowed to value their life as they see fit. Just because a person is suffering doesn't mean they place less value on their own life. I like many people have suffered. 3 years ago I was diagnosed with Crohns disease which is a disease where my immune system attacks itself and causes inflammation throughout the digestive tract. This illness has affected my life drastically, but I still put high value on my life as I am able to help others and be happy in my own

Terry Trueman Character Analysis

In life, numerous individuals deal with various psychological illnesses or conditions: bipolar and schizophrenia. In fact, according to the National Alliance on Mental Inness, twenty-five percent of Americans have experience with a psychological condition and roughly 13.6 million Americans live with the aforementioned illnesses. These real life issues and struggles are scattered throughout fictitious literature as authors parallel their characters with the same scenarios as the victims of the…

Words 699 - Pages 3

A Fool Knows Best Essay

would provide William Shakespeare a perfect opportunity to employ comedy in Hamlet. However, Shakespeare has taken hold of this opportunity to provide a discussion full of jest, remarkable word-play, and clever humor. Using these thematic elements, he forces Hamlet to question “his inability to recognize how a major way of knowing restricts both his love and his philosophy” (Hunt 141). In other words, Hamlet becomes aware that man is truly the very “quintessence of dust” (Shakespeare 103) and no matter…

Words 1156 - Pages 5

Shakespeare’s Hamlet Essay

Shakespeare’s Hamlet “To be or not to be, that is the question”- when uttered this quote resounds with many individuals all around the world. It is the words of young prince Hamlet uttered at a time of utter despair as he questions whether or not to take his own life. Even though the play was produced hundreds of years ago it is still read and performed in schools, institutions and homes all across the world. One begins to wonder what is the magic or enticement of literature that some would call…

Words 1856 - Pages 8

Redemption In Hamlet

Hamlet, wrote by William Shakespeare, is about a prince who suffers the loss of his father. For Hamlet, this resulted in a depressing mood. That is until he sees his dead father’s ghost, who tells Hamlet that the new king, Hamlet’s uncle, killed him. The news of his father’s murder turns Hamlet mad with revenge. Hamlet plots out ways to find proof that the new king, Claudius, killed his father. Hamlet then plans on killing Claudius. The story of Hamlet is a story of trials relating to human nature…

Words 856 - Pages 4

Essay on Hamlet: Hamlet and Cultural Values

the cultural values expressed’ “To be or not to be, that is the question, whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or take arms against a sea of troubles, and by opposing end them” (Shakespeare, 3.1.56). Is it better to live or die, better to endure suffering or fight against it and is life meant to be this difficult? These are some, among many, philosophical ideas in which Hamlet faces during William Shakespeare’s 1601 play Hamlet. Hamlet was written…

Words 545 - Pages 3

Religion In Hamlet

and the effects on their afterlife. Through the use of religious context, William Shakespeare’s Hamlet shows the religious and moral changes occurring in the sixteenth century. With the use of a moral dilemma, Shakespeare shows the transition of Roman Catholic to Protestant occurring in Europe. With the use of the character of the ghost, Shakespeare is able to show a major belief difference between…

Words 952 - Pages 4

King Claudius: Shakespeare’s Attention Seizer Essay examples

most importantly revenge, are all themes that William Shakespeare incorporates into the brilliantly written play Hamlet. Shakespeare added many of these themes to produce a desired effect on the Elizabethan audiences watching his plays at the time. The audience’s reactions to these themes are the very reason why Shakespeare’s plays were so renowned and popular at the time and even today, four hundred years later. One of the greatest passages in Hamlet that produces the desired effect on the Elizabethan…

Words 938 - Pages 4

Essay on Gertrude and Tragedy Hamlet

Period 2 31 January 2014Hamlet In the tragedy Hamlet written by William Shakespeare, Hamlet is a man in his thirties who is dealing with life after his father’s death. He faces the fact that his uncle Claudius has now taken over as king and has married his widow mother Gertrude. Hamlet acts in many ways throughout the play. He doesn’t seem to value his life because he does and makes decisions that are not well thought out. In the beginning Hamlet is angered with the present king Claudius because…

Words 420 - Pages 2

Shakespeare Christian Beliefs

and with it came classical values, a questioning attitude, and an increased interest for worldly matters. By the 15th century, the Renaissance ideas in Italy spread northward to England, France, and Holland, and the Northern Renaissance came about. The Elizabethan era, regarded as the golden age of England, began with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Literature grew immensely during this time period, and the majority of it was accredited to William Shakespeare. Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564…

Words 1408 - Pages 6

Similarities Between Hamlet And Fortinbras

Hamlet and Fortinbras- A Comparison of Revenge in Hamlet Procrastination and thinking too much may have many undesirable consequences. In Hamlet, William Shakespeare contrasts Hamlet and Fortinbras to show the effects of hesitation and over-thinking throughout the play. While both the characters suffer similar situations, with their father being killed and them wanting revenge, they complete their tasks differently. Fortinbras is ambitious and determined, and immediately starts planning to take…

Words 961 - Pages 4