Cultural_Studies_In_Practice_Hamlet_To_His_Coy_Mistress

Hello Readers!

Implied Culture Versus Historical Facts.

This blog aims to see how in "To His Coy Mistress" - ANDREW MARVELL. The implied culture is shown, where the two speaker as well as the implied reader are only engaged in their wealth, leisurely talking and sexual activity, while the prevailing status of the then era isn't shown in term of disease, in the form of "Syphillis, sexual transmission etc". Which is actually the mind stressed problem of contemporary times also. 

In Hamlet we will see "the two mighty opposites" in the form of Claudius and Hamlet. Who're centralized in center in picture the two inferior being Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are waving in periphery. Where they have to act or react as per their reaching hands not more than that.

So let's see..

Hamlet / Tom Stoppard (Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are dead):

In Hamlet we see 'power relations' which is reflected through two 'mighty opposites' Hamlet & Claudius. Where the inferior beings are called by Claudius from Wittenberg, are given a responsibility to execute 'Hamlet' by being at England, but fortunately it is known to the suspicious mind of Hamlet and he by blithely tricking into, replacing their names by him and ultimately both are executed.

If we consider their identities, they're travelling on periphery, while the two "mighty opposites" are centralized,and as those are centralized, do you think they will get any recognition as an established individual identity? No.

One of the metaphorical speech is also mentioned in this particular section, spoken by Rosencrantz that how they are mere "annexment of the massive wheel, which is located at the summit of the highest mountain". They're insignificant to those and are only pawns and sponge to be directed from them. They don't have their choices to implement upon, but are only followers of the commands, on which they have to get on without applying any sense.

So how these personalities can be interpreted. Though they're educated, may be knowing every pros and cons of life. Won't be knowing / not having any idea of the intentions of Claudius behind calling them from Wittenburg? They must have atleast some, right? But it isn't shown and are described as dumb among the two mighty opposites.

Hence Tom Stoppard says that who don't feel anything, can't differentiate between right or wrong, only do what is commanded by bowing on head, how their conscience is? Is it being dead as it can't hear anything / contemplate anything? And likewise he concludes his part by saying some of the below mentioned lines.

As he says: in his play, that these two are almost dead, and dead are likewise killed. Is there any offence in killing lifeless persons? Who are already dead.

To_His_Coy_Mistress

While on the other hand in 'To his coy mistress' we see both are representing 'elitist culture's where only three things are happening; chit-chat, love-making, eating and taking sensual pleasure throughout the novel.

If seen in contrast it seems as anyones's life can't be static, it fluctuates as the circumstances of life changes, sometimes there is joy sometimes sorrow, sometimes light sometimes dark as "Shakespeare says that life is constituted of two contrasting binaries, and both exists, either in absence or presence".

Jewels, education, ancestors, everything which is lavish is discussed but not about "everyday's disease, plague and syphilis". Whose threat is knocking on everyone's door, but the two speaker and the listener both are aloof from the real world and have engaged themselves in their dreams world. Seems as a life seen in imagination.

There is much to discuss but keeping this much to this, we understand here how Hamlet and To his coy mistress are seen parallely connecting with history and how it is evaluated and analyzed by succeeding generations point of views.

Thankyou

Samiya Kagdi

A learner at PG center

Department of English 

MKBU

APPLIED SOURCES:

Cultural Studies - CS IN PRACTICE : HAMLET AND TO HIS COY MISTRESS.