Post by facingit on Dec 15, 2007 12:12:20 GMT -5
There's been some good discussion of the virtue of humility around here lately. Here's Prince Hamlet expressing some emotions I think any recovering addict can relate to!
... What a piece of work is man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable. in action, how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals; and yet to me, what is this quintessence of dust? no, man delights not me...
Act II scene ii
I've always like this soliloquy better than the famous "to be or not to be" speech that comes latter in the act. Although in the context of the play, Hamlet's emotions are clearly tinged with an unhealthy dose of despair, I still think calling man a "quintessence of dust" is one of the best moments in literature. I often remind myself "ashes to ashes and dust to dust" when my desires seem to be raging out of control.
Any other literary characters that you think express the emotions a recovering addict can relate to well?
... What a piece of work is man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable. in action, how like an angel! in apprehension, how like a god! the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals; and yet to me, what is this quintessence of dust? no, man delights not me...
Act II scene ii
I've always like this soliloquy better than the famous "to be or not to be" speech that comes latter in the act. Although in the context of the play, Hamlet's emotions are clearly tinged with an unhealthy dose of despair, I still think calling man a "quintessence of dust" is one of the best moments in literature. I often remind myself "ashes to ashes and dust to dust" when my desires seem to be raging out of control.
Any other literary characters that you think express the emotions a recovering addict can relate to well?
