His Tragic Flaw

My name is August Wilhelm Von Schlegel. I was born on September 8, 1767 and died on May 12, 1845. Born in Germany, I spent my life as a poet, critic, translator, and leader of German Romanticism. Famous for my translations of Shakespeare into German classics, I allow myself to say I am very familiar with his writing. One thing I can not help but notice, is that all his main characters have a tragic flaw. In his play titled Romeo and Juliet, young Romeo was very impulsive. This weakness of his led him easily to his grave along with his lover Juliet. Likewise, a fatal flaw is present in the troubled Hamlet. Hamlet's vulnerability that I pointed out, is his too much thinking. He is all about what goes on in his mind, resembling a philosopher. That is the reason why he is now in a tormenting situation since he thinks much before acting. It is common if you had heard the famous phrase "think before you act", but it doesn't mean to think until opportunities fade away. We all have weaknesses, but this fictional character's weak point is what shows his insecurity and leaves him facing a difficult world that is hard for him to confront.

The Dionysian Man and Hamlet

Who would have thought it would be a good idea to compare Shakespeare's character Hamlet to the Dionysian man? This was Friedrich Nietzsche's idea. It would be awkward if it had been done by a regular person like me or you, but it was a philosopher's thought. That's what they are recognized after all. Thinking, thinking, and thinking. Anyways, there is no need to specialize in his profession to find his ideas interesting and give some thought to them. Reading his analysis on the famous play Hamlet, opened my perspective towards this character. Nietzsche compares the general Dionysian man (from Dionysus) to the troubled Hamlet. He says they have both "gained knowledge", resembling both characters. However, I agree with Camille Connor's Friedrich Nietzsche, "The Birth of Tragedy", since she claims it is not true that "knowledge kills action". I share this thought with her, since I believe the knowledge gained by Hamlet as he discovers it was Claudius who killed his father, was the reason the book will have action. If it weren't for this information, Hamlet wouldn't proceed on killing his uncle and bring so much trouble into Denmark. The idea of comparing both characters, despite being peculiar, brings a lot of thought into the subject leaving the reader of both texts opened to discuss this comparison.

Hamlet Act V - A Mirror

Rage, desperation, muder. Fear, regret, tranquility. There is no way a crime could be forgiven. No matter what it is, someone will always be hurt. Whether it is the family or the friends of the victim, or the criminal himself. All of us make mistakes, although some are worst. In the case of Jack Hitt, he is one of the men that is surprised by how cruel someone's actions can be. However, the past can't be changed or erased so their is only one thing left to do.

The future. The future is the only thing that can be changed. We can manipulate what will happen next if it means of our actions. At the Missouri Eastern Correctional, a Hamlet play has taken place to give criminals a second chance. A story surrounded my murder and decision making, is the same case for many of the people who remain inprisioned due to their unjust actions. As they prepare for their presentation, they must first fully understand the plot and take the personality of the character they would each play. Although Shakespeare's play contains few characters, in prison they have decided various men would act the same character. In this way, they will all have the opportunity to look inside themselves and give a touch of their lives to the unreal play.

As the process began, Hitt noticed the actors did apply a part of themselves in their presentation. As they themselves accept in American Life, they regret their actions but lamentably they can't take them back. Nevertheless, this experience has served for them as a mirror of their actions or as for Danny, a "rehabilitation" as he heard his victim's voice through his character's voice. One way or another, the past had already be written and for Danny and the others regret was all they had left. They had all committed crimes and whether or not they deserved what they still had, they had another opportunity. The question they would have to answer is, "Are we forever prisoners of our actions?" This one is the same in Shakespeare's Hamlet, being tormented by his undecisive actions. Standing in the same position, all criminals doubt their actions. However at the end, it's not the same for everyone. They can decide to change into different persons, into good guys.

Without being professionals or had been specialized in literature, I believe this crowd has been the best to analize the play. No matter who you are or how many books have you read, it can't be compared to experience. There is no one better to act fictional characters than the ones that have already lived their personalities.

Is it the Reflection of my Subconscious?

I am a recognized play writer in England, famous for many of my plays such as the one of Hamlet. Born in Stratford upon Avon, I left behind many tragedies and comedies after my death. Unlike many of men's works, mine still remain alive, being analized by important people like Sigmund Freud and ordinary people just like you. It has caught my attention the psychoanalysist creator's thoughts of my character Hamlet, and the connection he believes exists with the play and my personal life. If I were still alive, your doubts and questions might have been answered, but since it is not this way, it will always remain a mystery in your lives. One way or another, I find interesting that someone has deeply analized my piece with my life. It is evident and true that there is a relationship between Hamlet and my son Hamnet, as the name clearly almost repeats itself. It is also a fact that this play was written by me shortly after my father's death in 1601. It may be common that many of you assume a clear connection since both cases state a relationship with my family, aswell as Hamlet the character does. Of course I am aware of the association since at the moment I wrote the tragic piece, I was also overcoming tragic moments. Anyways, I don't believe I am the first or the last to do so, since writer's subconsciously or not include a piece of themselves in their writing. Nonetheless, it is not based in my life since I am not the Hamlet in the story. However, Freud's response to my play does express an accurate understanding on the main character. Being impulsive and decisive on revenging his father's death, Hamlet struggles upon the way, seeming to be insane and doubting his actions.