Thursday, November 4, 2010
Hamlet and Le Cid
I think it's interesting that there are so many areas of overlap between the two works. However, there were several differences. In Hamlet, there's a focus on filial piety versus cultural values, while in Le Cid, the characters are torn between filial piety and love. Though the two stories are completely rooted in seeking revenge, the degrees to which they take action are quite different. Hamlet is more contemplative and emotionally distraught, while Rodrigo, Chimene, and the other characters in Le Cid are more rational, straight forward, and logical. Have you guys discovered any more similarities or differences between the two that we haven't already discussed?
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I also think that it's interesting that both Shakespeare and Corneille set their plays in places different from their hometowns. We talked about how Shakespeare set Hamlet in Denmark rather than England because of the problems during Elizabeth's reign, such the weak military, lack of zeal for exploration, conservative international policy, and backwater economy. Corneille, a French tragedian, had Le Cid take place in medeival Spain. Why do you all think Le Cid chose this particalar location for his play?
I find that there are a lot more similarities between Laertes and Rodrigo than Hamlet and Rodrigo. Both Laertes and Rodrigo must fulfill their fillial obligation and avenge their father. Both also act definitivly unlike Hamlet. After Laertes hears about his fathers death, he immediatly storms the castle, rounding troops of his side and storming the castle. Rodrigo similarly immediatly challenges the Count to a duel after his father was dishonored.
I agree with Blaine that Laertes and Rodrigo are very similar characters. Hamlet is the polar opposite of these two men. While he would sit contemplating the correct decision, Laertes or Rodrigo would act impulsively. The differences between these two modes of action, or inaction in Hamlet's case, reveal the true nature of the characters. I believe this because I agree with Sartre, in that our actions do define us.
There is a basic difference between Le Cid and Hamlet relating to the mood and genre of the two works. To be more specific, Le Cid is actually considered to be a tragicomedy, whereas Hamlet is simply a tragedy. A tragicomedy differs from a tragedy in that it either has a happy ending or enough jokes to lighten the overall mood of the play. Based on the synopsis of Le Cid that we have been given, I would guess that Le Cid's status as a tragicomedy stems from the ultimate union of Chimene and Rodgrigo (so I doubt the play is laden with jokes). I just thought that I would mention a difference between the two plays beyond the obvious character differences.
I think the key difference between the two plays in regards to revenge is the reason behind their intents to seek revenge. Although both are very similar in that they deal with filial obligation, for Hamley and Laerates, they want to avenge their father's murders. In the case of Don Rodrigo, he has to seek revenge because his father was insulted by the Count. So clearly an insult warrants death...
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