The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 20.0428  Monday, 3 August 2009

From:       Sally Drumm <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:       Sunday, 02 Aug 2009 17:00:55 -0400
Subject: 20.0422 Ramblings on the Instability of Meaning and 
Comment:    Re: SHK 20.0422 Ramblings on the Instability of Meaning and 
on the Nature of Thought

An old friend used to tell me, "Just be." Easier said than done, as 
Hamlet so aptly demonstrates through his infamous speech, which would 
make a great beer commercial. Now I do believe that Roland Barthes would 
have had a great time with our 21st Century beer commercials relative to 
Hamlet, the instability of meaning, the nature of thought, and the fatal 
flaw (perhaps there is more than one fatal flaw, just as many virtues 
coexist in the same form). Also comes to mind, Camus writing about 
wrestling. So -- Hamlet wrestles with himself more so than with any 
other character except the ghost of his father. It is the ghost who sets 
him on the merry path. What then do we make of Just be in the character 
and plot of Hamlet's imaginary life?

To be or not to be?

Is Hamlet's tragic flaw a matter of imagination ruling reality? This 
state always results in indecision, and indecision leads to failure -- 
always. This fatal flaw question, of course, belongs in the other thread 
and yet is most apropos in this one, in which Hardy discovers the 
meanderings of being misread -- was the ghost misread by Hamlet? Was the 
ghost in fact instructing Hamlet to Just Be? And was the tragic flaw a 
matter of misreading, of imagination become more real than life?

So, once again, we find all threads deliciously connected.

Another old friend often said: Don't let the bastards get you down.

He, of course, said it in Latin.

Sincerely,
Sally Drumm


_______________________________________________________________
S H A K S P E R: The Global Shakespeare Discussion List
Hardy M. Cook, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The S H A K S P E R Web Site <http://www.shaksper.net>

DISCLAIMER: Although SHAKSPER is a moderated discussion list, the 
opinions expressed on it are the sole property of the poster, and the 
editor assumes no responsibility for them.

Subscribe to Our Feeds

Search

Make a Gift to SHAKSPER

Consider making a gift to support SHAKSPER.