Hamlet's Philisophical Journey (New and Improved)

In act one, Hamlet finds assurance in faith and God, and this keeps him from killing himself and seeking revenge. "Or that the Everlasting had not fixed his canon 'gainst self-slaughter" (1.2.131-132). As he goes on, Hamlet's faith is tested and at one point he says he would kill himself but he does not know "what dreams may come". This makes me think he is questioning God/eternity. Towards the end of the play, Hamlet has regained his assurance in Providence, but now instead of holding him back it is assisting him with his actions. This is shown when Hamlet says to Horatio, "When our deep plots do pall, and that should learn us there's a divinity that shapes our ends" (5.2.9-10). This new attitude also makes him okay with death, becuase he is sure. "There is special providence in the fall of a sparrow. If it be now, 'tis not to come; if it be not to come, it will be now... let be" (5.2.185-following).

Senior Quote

"I let my imagination run wild and I don't think it's coming back."

Tragic Thoughts

The interesting thing I learned about tragedies was the difficulty of using the structure. I thought that the strict structure would make it simpler, when actually it turned out to be a different challenge then what I was expecting. I really liked how the first group was able to make the chorus not be an obvious, formal chorus. It made it seem more natural. I also like how the second group showed the downside to holding too strong to the sovreignty of God- that was a unique way to view that issue. I also learned that the yellow filter of a cigarette is the side you put in your mouth. ( : So overall, I think I learned the essentials.

Evangelezing Oedipus Rex

The two important character flaws of Oedipus are his pride and ignorance of himself. Towards the end of his tragic story, Oedipus realizes his true self and blinds himself because of it, realizing at last what a vile person he is. This is somewhat similar to a Christian "reality check"(this is obviously not a theological term but one I made up myself). Sometimes the only remedy for pious pride is the realization of just how much one needs Christ's salvation. Our dear friend, C.S. Lewis, said that this was necessary becuase otherwise we would feel like we could earn our own salvation. This reality check could come in the form of a big mistake you make, a brother in Christ pointing out a flaw, or the Holy Spirit convicting you. Unlike Oedipus, however, we don't have to lose hope in this situation. On the contrary God brings us to this point in our lives so that we may completely fall back on him rather than toil needlessly on our own. Realizing you are lost in sin is not a curse, but a blessing becuase it leads you to God's slavation and no one saves better than God, not even you.

Thoughts from "Crime and Punishment" Discussion

The thing that stood out to me the most in today's class disscussion was the idea that existentialist writers' goal is for you to experience the character's angst. I felt when reading Crime and Punishment like I, in fact, was the guilty party when I was merely the reader. While I just thought I was slightly delusional, it never occured to me that Dostoevsky's plan was to have me comiserate with Raskolnikov. But now that this fact has been brought to my attention, I am in even more awe if Dostoevsky's talent in the written word.

I was also very curious about what the speaker said about C & P being a version of the raising of Lazarus. Though it would be quite a feat, it makes me want to read the book again just so I can see if that is true. Granted, I'm 99.99% sure I won't do that now, but maybe sometime in the future.

Raskolinkov's Redemption

In Crime and Punishment, Dotoevsky mentions in the last sentence that Raskolinkov is on the road to being redeemed, but never once does Raskolinkov repent. Even while in Siberia, after confessing his crime, Raskolinkov admits to pondering over his theory trying to find a fault yet not seeing where he was wrong. Then he has his illness where he dreams about an odd disease that sweeps over Europe. This disease infects men and causes them to believe that they, and only they, are in possession of the truth. The men in turn fight each other for power, killing those who get in their way as well as the comrades who are helping them. When Raskolinkov is relieved from his sickness he does not appear to draw any special meaning from his dream, but when his companion, Sonia, does not come to visit him in the following days, there is a marked change in his actions. Upon seeing Sonia again, he is overcome with emotion which he has not felt since the perpetration of his crime and he finally confesses his love for her. It is at this point where Dotoevsky asserts that in a following tale, perhaps, Raskolinkov will be redeemed.
Sonia, throughout the novel, acts as Raskolinkov's redemptive figure. In my opinion, Raskolinkov's change of heart towards Sonia signifies his inward state as an acceptence of his crime and the turning point of his repentence. The relationship between Raskolinkov and Sonia also expresses the need for love in partnership with regeneration.
In conclusion, although Dotoevsky does not bluntly state that Raskolinkov has repented, his changed affections toward Sonia and his sudden discovery of emotion show that he has, in fact repented of his crime.

Inspirational "Mere Christianity" Passage

"On the one hand, God's demand for perfection need not discourage you in the least in your present attempts to be good, or even in your present failures. Each time you fall He will pick you up again. And he knows perfectly well that your own efforts are never going to bring you anywhere near perfection. On the other hand, you must realise from the outset that the goal towards which He is beginning to guide you is absolute perfection; and no power in the whole universe, except you yourself, can prevent Him from taking you to that goal." page 203