Last Post

When I first entered this class, I was a bit hesitant about this subject. However, it also seemed the best option out of the British Literature classes, so I would like to believe fate brought me here (ha).

After working with fate as a concept this semester, I realize how this concept can really make you examine a work of literature more closely. For instance, when I read Romeo and Juliet in the past, the story always seemed more ridiculous than a legitimate tragedy. However, after thinking through the story and how the character's fates were intertwined in such a way that they could not be properly judged, whose to say their fates and their sacrifices did not mean something? Whose to say their fates are not necessarily tied together and that separating them is a violation of the rights that we as humans are guaranteed?

One part of Shakespeare's works that has always fascinated me was the fates of the fallen kings. The plays that interested me the most (Hamlet, Titus Andronicus, Richard II) were those involving tragic story-lines for those who were at one point such high in power. When looking at the fate of these kings, there was a sense that even though they were all very influential (and seen as divine), their fates roles could not prevent them from mortal falls. This idea lends itself to contradiction; although the characters should have more stability in their outcomes, wanting too much of the role causes greed that complicates matters. This is most evident in Richard II, when he points out the, while in prison, how foolish he was in dealing with his kingdom.

The fragility of roles was brought up also, which is another important concept to examine with fate. The kings in these stories saw themselves as being more than they actually are. Kingly powers can exalt one into believing they are invincible, but in reality there is not much else separating them from common people that they rule over. In Richard's soliloquy, he also brought this up, and examined how his role as a king could so easily be switched out for a role that was seem as inferior. In the end everyone is still a mortal human with their faults.