So, what has Hamlet done for me lately?

Hamlet, by William Shakespeare is widely revered as the greatest drama of all time, in other words, it's pretty good. I was fortunate enough to study it for the third time in the, "Intro to Shakespeare" class that I am taking at the prestigious Citrus University in Glendora, CA. (Look it up if you don't know, it's legit.)

Anyways, every time I read Hamlet, I am reminded of just how brilliant Shakespeare really was. Sure, in today's racy and invigorating world of Literature, Shakespeare's works might, (at first glance) seem cheesy and cliche, and for many he has been labeled as, "unreadable," because the Elizabethan English he writes in is too hard to understand. Yes. I agree with both those statements, through a certain lens.

Don't forget, If Shakespeare never lived or wrote, cliche would not exist outside of biblical/spiritual language. The reason his plots and themes may seem cheesy is because you are looking at them through "21st century lenses." There are four centuries of writers who have mimicked or been inspired by the intensely introspective themes of Shakespeare's work between your eyes/mind, and the words written on the pages of any given document of Shakespeare. Those writers have taken the thoughts of Shakespeare and made them everyday ideas. From the concept that "beauty is not only skin deep," and "All that glitters is not gold," to the reality that "Death is the great Leveler," Shakespeare themes have been implanted in us, ingrained in society. This is not a bad thing, it just goes to show you how insightful this one man was.

Now, I have diverged from what I really intended to say, with, what I planned on being a brief blog. Shakespeare knew good writing, and so he used the best writing of his day as a source for his own inspiration, The Bible. After reading Hamlet again, I noticed a theme I had never noticed before, and it is revealed through one line, "There is a divinity that shapes our ends." Hamlet speaks this line towards the end of the play, after a whirlwind of madness, internal conflict, depression, and death, when he realizes that he has not control over his own fate or the fates of those he loves, "rough hew them how we will," ultimately he is powerless.

This was not a new concept to me, being an avid church-goer most my life, I have recited verses like Jeremiah 29:11,  Romans 8:28, and Matthew 6:34. (GO READ EM', haha). The difference was that for two weeks I was getting to know, and relating to the character Hamlet, correlating my issues with his issues, my feelings and frustrations with his, so, when Hamlet came to this resolve, and his mood and tone dramatically changed, you can imagine how loudly and vibrantly the message was revealed to me.

There is not much pf a point to this blog other than to share with you a gem that I, and many other before and after have and will find. Shakespeare's work is amazing. Each time I study the play, Hamlet, I walk away with a different perspective on the tragedy, that alone displays how truly awesome this man was as a writer and a philosopher. Just to clarify, the Word of God, (The Bible) makes Shakespeare look like Dr. Seuss in comparison, and should not be held in comparison, but rather viewed as a source or reference when reading Shakespeare.

In the end all I have to say is, please don't hate me for this blog! I know how cheesy it all sounds, but I guess I just really like Hamlet, if nothing else! So, go grab a copy and enjoy the tale of "murder most foul!"