Title: Identity and the "Other" in "The Color of Water" and "Hamlet" Identity is a complex construct influenced profoundly by the "other"—those different from us—in ways that often go unnoticed. In "The Color of Water" by James McBride and "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare, the interplay between characters and their societal contexts reveals how identity is shaped. This essay examines how these texts use historical and cultural settings to mold individual identities through the lens of the "other." James McBride and William Shakespeare utilize the interaction with the "other" in "The Color of Water" and "Hamlet," respectively, to explore how characters define themselves against and through these forces, shedding light on broader social and …show more content…
Hamlet's identity crisis—"To be, or not to be, that is the question" (Act 3, Scene 1)—is mirrored by the political deceit and moral corruption of the court. This existential pondering not only reflects Hamlet's struggle but also comments on the human condition within a rigidly hierarchical society, highlighting how one's identity is often a reflection of cultural and political milieus. In "The Color of Water," McBride presents a contrasting exploration of identity through the dual narrative of himself and his mother, Ruth. Ruth's past as a Jewish immigrant and her life as the wife of a Black man in America allow McBride to explore racial and religious identities as the "other." Ruth's statement, "I'm dead" (McBride, 237), when asked about her racial identity, underscores the erasure of self that often accompanies the struggle to fit into a new cultural matrix. Both texts showcase characters defined through their relationships. In "Hamlet," Ophelia’s identity as the obedient daughter and spurned lover leads to her madness and eventual death, serving as a critique of gender roles and expectations in Elizabethan society. Similarly, in "The Color of Water," James's relationship with his mother and his quest to understand her past reflects his process of self-identification, navigating through racial and familial
In James McBride's book "The Color of Water" and in Shakespeare's "Hamlet," the idea of being seen as different has a big impact on how characters see themselves and develop their own identities. Both authors use characterization to show how other people's views can deeply affect an individual's sense of self. The theme of feeling like an outsider is key to understanding how the characters in both "The Color of Water" and "Hamlet" think about themselves. Experts on society emphasize how important this concept is when it comes to figuring out who fits into which group in our communities (Bauman).
James is characterized as unfortunate, eager, and inclined. Being a man, James faced societal expectations about his gender and biracial identity. Now, he is determined to turn his life around and succeed. To conclude, McBrider uses literary devices such as characterization to show the discrimination through race and ethnicity, in order to impact others' mindset. Continuing, in “Hamlet” by James McBride, uses the literary device, characterization to demonstrate otherness through gender.
Tony Robbins said, “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others”. Shakespeare’s writing has had many different ways of being presented because people perceive it in different ways. Whether it is a literal representation or a spin, directors like to show viewers the way they perceive the text. In the movie version of Hamlet the director, Kenneth Branagh, wanted the viewers to find Shakespeare interesting and full of action and drama. Kenneth chose the right direction to go in to keep the audience’s attention but it
In contrast, William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” explores identity through the lens of morality, power, and madness within the setting of the Danish royal court. Both works provide a rich backdrop for examining how characters define themselves against and concerning the “other,” be
What lesson was Dr. Suess trying to teach with this story? Do you know? I believe the lesson that Dr. Suess was to imply was that it is okay to be different it is what makes you special. The other lesson was that it is also okay to be the same. The movie explains this in the beginning when the sneetches changed their belly to the star the other original star got mad because they all looked the same and wanted to be different. Also in the end they came together as a whole community regardless of whether they are the same or not (meaning star or no star). This shows that it is okay to look the same because everyone is there own being and that makes them each different and special. This lesson can be put in our life to help prevent bullying and
In the texts Brave New World and Hamlet, there are two entirely diverse stories that share similar protagonists. Despite being from completely different worlds, Hamlet and John share a lot of things in common. They both face severe alienation from their mothers and from people that attempt to use them. Coincidentally they also both use their friends as a relief to cope with their experiences. With the assistance of Horatio and Helmholtz the protagonists gain the courage to stand up to any adversity that comes at them.
As shown in Figure 1, the villain, like the hero, starts in the ordinary world, but this world is not as ordinary as it seems. The world starts as their safe place, or everyday life where the reader/viewer learns about the villain’s past nature and attitude towards life before the dramatic change happens. The status quo begins to shift, as the villain thinks the world has failed them and they see it as flawed, corrupt, and imperfect. Nagato was born in the Hidden Rain Village and lived with his parents on the outskirts of the village. One day, during the Second Shinobi(Ninja) World War, two Hidden Leaf ninjas broke into their home looking for food.
In Shakespeare's Hamlet there is a constant battle between action and reaction within the protagonist, Hamlet. After learning the truth about the circumstances surrounding his father’s death, Hamlet (who has been mourning and depressed since the passing of King Hamlet) finally felt a sense of self worth and purpose. Although Hamlet may appear as noble or devoted for working so diligently to avenge his father, his blind hypocrisy in blaming others for his lack of initiative make these actions merely a facade masking Hamlet’s own struggle with his identity.
William Shakespeare’s Hamlet explores the detrimental effects that a parent’s influence can have on their children. The play presents the story of a dead king who has a devastatingly profound effect on his son. The son’s allegiance towards the father locks him tightly into a psychologically binding contract where he becomes morally tainted by his father’s murderous requests. However, the son, Hamlet, is not the only character who’s bound within a relationship. A young maiden, Ophelia, also struggles with being defined by her family and those around her.
Shakespeare’s play, “Hamlet,” was made into a film in 1996. When comparing and contrasting the two, there are many similarities. This is due to the creators using the original Shakespearean version of the script, but there are also a couple of differences. The 1996 film is very close to being an exact copy to the play in the sense that the script is the used as written.
Shakespeare's Hamlet is arguably one of the best plays known to English literature. It presents the protagonist, Hamlet, and his increasingly complex path through self discovery. His character is of an abnormally complex nature, the likes of which not often found in plays, and many different theses have been put forward about Hamlet's dynamic disposition. One such thesis is that Hamlet is a young man with an identity crisis living in a world of conflicting values.
Yana G., Andreana Y., Sohail M., Nicholas D., Ishan P. Ms. Elliott AP English Literature 5 23 February 2016 A Brief Comparison of Themes in A Song of Ice and Fire and Hamlet While the works were created in two completely different genres and time periods, much of the themes and symbols in George R. R. Martin’s high fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire can be mirrored in Shakespeare’s work, namely Hamlet. The motifs of universal mortality, filial duty to revenge and the deconstruction of idealism can all be observed in the works throughout the story arcs of the main characters and in the pen and ink drawings on toned paper that was turned in with this essay. A recurring theme and, to many, the most distinguishing feature of Hamlet and
Hamlet is ranked among the most influential written works of all time not only because it is a revenge play at its finest, but also because its status as a revenge play anamorphically masks the play’s infinite potential as a source of discussing, for it is also a play of ambiguity and questions. There is no doubt that Shakespeare is an intelligent and tremendous playwright. He wrote a play meant to stand the test of time, having absolute certainty of that. Shakespeare knew people would keep having discussions over it over the course of time. Hamlet is such a deliberately ambiguous play that it is impossible not be immersed in it and ask questions about it.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare is a story about a king that was murdered by his brother and the prince has been asked by his father?s ghost to avenge his murder. The original story line has been altered a few times since it has been written. The original Hamlet the play and the altered Hamlet the movie are shown differently in many different ways. Hamlet the movie with Mel Gibson shows different things than the play, but there are three major differences between the two. The three major differences are in the way both of the productions start out, differences in the scene that the players put on a play, and differences in the way the productions end.
The play, Hamlet, written by William Shakespeare, has many important themes, but the most important being the theme of appearance versus reality. It is spread throughout the entire play and shown through many essential scenes. The idea between appearance versus reality is essentially that characters appear and behave in one, but in reality they are the total opposite. These characters appear to be sincere and honest, but they really are not. The theme is shown through Hamlet’s indecisiveness, putting up a facade to mask one’s true identity, and the distrust with one’s self and others.