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Is Hamlet A Good Death Analysis

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In William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet dies a rather dramatic death after being struck with a poisoned sword by Laertes. Before dying, Hamlet avenges his father's death, is absolved of his faults by Horatio, and makes the kingdom aware of Claudius' sins. With these actions, Hamlet fully accomplishes his life's purpose. In Plato's The Apology, Socrates' dies a rather peaceful death by drinking hemlock poison, after being sentenced to death. Socrates' life purpose was to spread the truth to those around him, which is a never ending task. Though during his life, Socrates' does a swell job of spreading the truth to others as well as training prodigies to do the same. In my opinion, a “good death” would be defined as dying after completing …show more content…

Though this angered many people, due to him making a fool out of them. His life purpose is what eventually brought him before the council and furthermore, sentenced him to death. He held great wisdoms that could have opened more peoples mind and possibly created a new way of life. Yet, Socrates life was cut short by his execution. Plato wrote Socrates’ execution as a seemingly painless matter, where he slowly became numb from the legs up. Once the numbness reached his heart, Socrates was dead. Many would think this a much more fantastic way to die, compared to Hamlet getting struck with a poisonous sword. Yet, Hamlet’s life purpose was completed before he died. Socrates’ even admits that killing him will be a huge mistake for Athens injuring his life purpose has not been attained: …your killing me will do me less damage than it does for you… what I’m doing now is actually defending you, so that you don’t make a mistake with the god’s gift to you by casting your votes against me. Because if you do put me to death, you won’t easily find anyone else quite like me… Another one like me, Athenians, as I say, it won’t be easy for you to find, and if you take my advice you’ll spare me. (Plato, 30c-31a) With these statements, Socrates makes it clear it will not be easy finding another person with the same qualities as him. Though after Socrates’ was officially sentenced to death, he completely contradicts himself: You’ve acted as you have now

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