Latest news with #WilliamHazlitt
New York Times
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Listen to ‘Hamlet.' Feel Better.
'It is we who are Hamlet,' wrote the essayist and critic William Hazlitt. Though that observation is more than 200 years old, the similarities between Shakespeare's bewildered, semi-deranged prince and his audience — all of us — have rarely been clearer than they are today. His circumstances may not match yours in every particular (your newly widowed mother might not have married your uncle, who maneuvered you out of your claim to the throne) but, after the traumas of the past few years, Hamlet's sorrow is likely to feel familiar, as is his sense of powerlessness. Amid political unrest, military deployments in the streets, an unfolding climate crisis and the unforeseeable, possibly apocalyptic disruptions of A.I., who among us hasn't felt, as Hamlet does, that 'the time is out of joint'? A boomlet in productions of 'Hamlet' offers further evidence for the perennial relevance of this bloody tragedy — the story of a young man cracking up as he discovers that his life, his family, the kingdom and very possibly the divine order are not what he thought they were. Eddie Izzard has been touring a solo version of the play; the Royal Shakespeare Company has produced not one but two high-profile revivals, including 'Hamlet Hail to the Thief,' which fuses Shakespeare's text and a Radiohead album; and this year saw the American release of 'Grand Theft Hamlet,' a documentary about the play being staged inside a video game. This surge in popularity for the Dane need not be seen as an ill portent. Hamlet can, these days, seem like the distant forebear of a heavily scrutinized modern type — the lonely, paranoid boy prone to violent speechifying — but there's more than darkness in 'Hamlet,' and more than despair in its title character. You just need to see the story from the right angle — specifically, his. Hamlet's despair is so pervasive, and rendered so vividly by Shakespeare, that even people who have never seen the play or only dimly remember reading it in high school are familiar with the persona of the melancholy Dane: clad in black, moping around, unable to take action. Laurence Olivier gave the definitive description of Hamlet's paralysis when he opened his 1948 film adaptation by calling it the story of a man 'who could not make up his mind.' But there's a different way of interpreting the play. When you keep the focus on Hamlet — that is, when you omit all of the scenes when he's offstage, many of which are spent speculating on what he intends to do — you see that in the ways that matter most, he's not paralyzed at all. Contrary to what Olivier said, making up his mind is precisely the story of 'Hamlet.' Would you like to submit a Letter to the Editor? Use the form below to share your thoughts on this or any other piece published in The New York Times in the past seven days. If your submission is selected, an editor will contact you to review any necessary edits before publication. Most published letters will appear in both the online and print editions. Your submission must be exclusive to The New York Times. We do not publish open letters or third-party letters. Click here for more information about the selection process. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Express Tribune
09-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
The climate of war
The writer is an educationist based in Larkana. She can be reached at sairasamo88@ Listen to article In the ongoing wake of war between two nuclear-armed and hostile nations, South Asia's peace is at stake, painting a grim picture of doom and destruction in the minds of many - expressing a crippled fate. The consequences seem severe, threatening the future with dire outcomes. War is a condition born of chaos and conflict of interest, culminating in bloodshed, injuries and suffering. Nevertheless, throughout history, long-lasting wars have remained a persistent trait of human nature — often ending in devastation and despair. Let's glance at some of the prolonged and destructive wars in history. The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), primarily a religious conflict, caused immense destruction and loss of life throughout Europe. World War I (1914-1918), known as the Great War, brought widespread violence and destruction, particularly on the Western Front. World War II, a conflict between the Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan) and the Allied powers (France, Great Britain, the US, the Soviet Union and China), along with some neutral nations, was fiercely fought, resulting in massive economic and social repercussions. Approximately 60 to 80 million people lost their lives, causing global sorrow and havoc. Its aftermath plunged millions into food shortages, malnutrition and widespread disease. Furthermore, Vietnam was the most heavily bombed country in history. Over 6.1 million tons of bombs were dropped — nearly triple the tonnage used during World War II. The Vietnam War (1955-1975) came at a severe cost: 100,000 US troops lost limbs, and countless civilians were killed or injured. Tragically, the genocide in Gaza that began on October 7, 2023, has claimed up to 61,709 innocent lives — a brutal consequence of war, spreading hatred and bewilderment throughout the Muslim world. All these wars, since their commencement, have either destroyed societies or left people socially and psychologically traumatised. War ends peace and stability — something now reflected in the bellicose posture of India. William Hazlitt once said, "Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves." India exemplifies this, as Prime Minister Modi seems restless. The attack on Pakistan under the cover of night is a cowardly act — a brutal step toward a belligerent era. Pakistan has rightly responded in self-defence. Following the Pahalgam incident, India has unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, sealed the Wagah border and ordered Pakistani officials to leave within 48 hours. Within 15 days, 'Operation Sindoor' was launched, targeting Punjab and Azad Kashmir. How peaceful India is — it thrives in a climate of war rather than choosing the path of diplomacy. Political theorist Francis Fukuyama once believed that humanity in the 21st century would evolve into a globalised, post-conflict society, moving deterministically toward collective peace and prosperity. Yet, the reality proves otherwise. India's recent moves stand in stark contrast to this vision. The history of Indo-Pak relations includes three wars over Kashmir, all of which have escalated tensions, deepened animosity and made bilateral ties increasingly fragile. Agreements and accords often fall short in the face of warmongering. War always ends in destruction and confusion. Thousands are killed and injured, while societies desperately long for peace. Moreover, human resources are depleted, slowing a nation's progress. Bringing warmongers to the dialogue table requires the attention of international law and the global community. Nations involved in conflict should be offered peaceful avenues to resolve disputes. This would lead to less destruction and promote greater stability and integrity. Journalist and peace activist Norman Cousins says, "War is invention of human mind. The human mind can invent peace." So, let's invent peace and be united before the warmongers.
