Anagnorisis and Existence
The Point of Realization in Stoppard's
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead
In Shakespeare's Hamlet, the young prince realizes what living is.
Yea, from the table of my memory
I'll wipe away all trivial fond records, 105
All saws of books, all forms, all pressures past,
That youth and observation copied there;
And thy commandment all alone shall live
Within the book and volume of my brain,
Unmix'd with baser matter (Hamlet, I, v. 104-110)
Upon realizing his fate that he must save the "state of Denmark" Hamlet must literally discard his prior knowledge and start anew. Aristotle argues that the exact moment when Hamlet realizes his fate by moving from innocence and ignorance to knowledge is the cause of tragedy in drama. Aristotle's calls this realization that all humans must have anagnorisis. For all the moaning and a whining about his situation, Hamlet will fight whatever is......
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Approximate Word Count: 983
Approximate Pages: 4 (260 words per double-spaced page) |