Deadly Thought: Hamlet and the Human SoulThe human soul is for pre-modern philosophers the cause of both thinking and life. This double aspect of the soul, which makes man a rational animal, expresses itself above all in human action. Deadly Thought: 'Hamlet' and the Human Soul traces Hamlet's famous inability to act to his inability to hold together these twin aspects of the soul. Combining careful attention to detail and interpretive breadth, noted scholar Jan H. Blits deftly illustrates how Hamlet collapses life into thought, and moral action into stage acting, and ultimately comes to see his own life as a stage play. Hamlet, the book demonstrates, epitomizes the intellectualism of the Renaissance and the modern age it began, and so becomes tragedy's first self-conscious protagonist, signaling the end of ancient tragedy. Erudite, innovative, and lively, Deadly Thought is a ground-breaking contribution that will appeal to Shakespeare scholars, political theorists, historians of philosophy, literary theorists and anyone interested in a truly fresh interpretation of this classic work. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 29
Page 7
... ( 1.1.73–110 ; 1.2.17–39 ) , Laertes seeks to return to Paris and Hamlet to Wittenberg , neither giving a moment's thought to the kingdom's military needs . Nor does Clau- dius seem to notice or to care . As he Introduction 7.
... ( 1.1.73–110 ; 1.2.17–39 ) , Laertes seeks to return to Paris and Hamlet to Wittenberg , neither giving a moment's thought to the kingdom's military needs . Nor does Clau- dius seem to notice or to care . As he Introduction 7.
Page 8
Hamlet and the Human Soul Jan H. Blits. dius seem to notice or to care . As he is protected by foreign merce- naries ( " Switzers " [ 4.5.97 ] ) , so , too , he depends on " foreign marts for implements of war " ( 1.1.77 ) . In contrast ...
Hamlet and the Human Soul Jan H. Blits. dius seem to notice or to care . As he is protected by foreign merce- naries ( " Switzers " [ 4.5.97 ] ) , so , too , he depends on " foreign marts for implements of war " ( 1.1.77 ) . In contrast ...
Page 46
... dius seems to mean that she holds a joint claim to the royal title owing to her marriage to the deceased king . The new king thus suggests that he is marrying the dowager widow for reasons of state , forced upon him by political ...
... dius seems to mean that she holds a joint claim to the royal title owing to her marriage to the deceased king . The new king thus suggests that he is marrying the dowager widow for reasons of state , forced upon him by political ...
Page 50
... Polonius has served Clau- dius . Both men speak as though they have been closely associated for a long time ( 2.2.42–49 , 153–55 ) , but this , too , is never directly stated . Nor are we told whether Polonius had ever 50 Act 1.
... Polonius has served Clau- dius . Both men speak as though they have been closely associated for a long time ( 2.2.42–49 , 153–55 ) , but this , too , is never directly stated . Nor are we told whether Polonius had ever 50 Act 1.
Page 51
... dius asks the father himself . Just before he turns to his " son " Ham- let ( 1.2.64 ) , he upholds the authority of fathers.40 Polonius's an- swer his first speech ( 1. 2.58-61 ) —is entirely in character . Taking thirty - three words ...
... dius asks the father himself . Just before he turns to his " son " Ham- let ( 1.2.64 ) , he upholds the authority of fathers.40 Polonius's an- swer his first speech ( 1. 2.58-61 ) —is entirely in character . Taking thirty - three words ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accuses action actors answer appearance Aristotle asks Barnardo birth body cause Christian Cicero Clau Claudius Claudius's conscience corpse Dane Danish dead death deed Denmark describes despite Diogenes Laertius dius double emphasizes explicitly father fear final Fortinbras Fortinbras's fortune Gertrude Gertrude's Ghost God's Gonzago grave Grave-digger Grave-digger's guilt Hamlet says Hamlet seems hath hear heaven Hecuba hendiadys Horatio imitation incest Jephthah kill King Hamlet King's Laertes Laertes's letter lines lonius lord man's Marcellus marriage means mentions metaphor moral mother murder nature never noble old Hamlet once one's Ophelia Osric play play's Player King Player Queen Plutarch political Polonius Polonius's praise question Quintilian reason refers revenge rhetoric Rosencrantz and Guildenstern royal scene sense Shakespeare silent soliloquy soul speaks speech Stoic Stoicism suggests tell theatrical thee thing thou thought tion tragedy turns twice virtue vows warning words