Emotions

  Recently, we began to read the book The Stranger. The main character of the book reflects a personality seen in few books. He is an emotionless person who takes life for what it is. He shows little attachment and interest in people and what they have to say. Although, he displays this emotionless persona to people as readers we have an inside look at to what he really is thinking. He seems to give people the benefit of doubt. Why shouldn't he help them? People seem to feel as if he doesn't care, but in reality he has no reason to. It makes us question our relationships with people. Does what we say always reflect how we are truly feeling? Some people rely on the words of others to reflect on certain people's opinions or feelings towards them. Words really have a lot more value than we depict.

Insanity.

 

  In class, we are discussing the Shakespearean play, Hamlet. With the sudden mysterious murder of his father and the marriage of his mother to his uncle, Hamlet falls into a deep depression. Many think he is mad with grief of the events that just occurred while others feel as if he is mad due to the rejection of Ophelia. We see two sides to Hamlet. At times, we see him display traits to those who are mentally unstable. He talks to himself, has sudden outbursts, and takes on weird behaviors. He also becomes isolated from his family and loved ones. However, on the other side we see a more intelligent side to Hamlet. He knows that he has to avenge his father by killing his uncle, but he also know that this is something that requires much deliberation and patience. He needs a just cause to kill his uncle rather than just acting on pure emotions. So, he devises a plan to guilt his uncle into confessing that he killed his father. As a reader, you question whether Hamlet is sane or insane? Where is the line drawn? Is Hamlet mad or is he tactful?