Shakespeare’s masterpiece

THIS WEEK’S WINNER

Reynaldo Cabusao Fajardo is a Sony Technical Support representative from Alorica Philippines. He is a multi-awarded singer famous in the circles of both amateur and professional voice competitions. He is also a part-time wedding singer and dance instructor, teaching tango, swing, boogie and all the beautiful forms of ballroom dancing.

A ghost materializes during the Witching Hour, demanding revenge. A young man with evil intentions on his mother’s husband. A gentleman’s sport that ends in a massacre. It’s like Stephen King meets Sigmund Freud meets Carlo J. Caparas. This is William Shakespeare, history’s greatest playwright, at the supreme height of his creative genius. And this is Hamlet, tragedy of the first order and the greatest theatrical masterpiece in the English language.

A story comes from the mind of the author. The art of creation springs from the human condition. Every story is thus our story.

I believe this is why countless generations from all backgrounds were able to relate to — and be affected by — the inner conflicts and the eventual redemption of the Danish crown prince whom the world thought was mad.

If you were heir to the throne, you would probably be the most excited young man in the land — while awaiting your investiture and inauguration, of course. But how would you feel if, upon the King’s death, and your signal to ascend to the throne, the Queen hastily married the King’s brother and he became the King instead? Hamlet remarked that the excess food for the funeral was eaten during the reception. He was being wry, but he was also inwardly bitter, and who wouldn’t be?

To make it even more complicated, how would you feel if the King’s apparition appeared before you and exposed the most shocking of all revelations: the King was poisoned by his brother! The specter cries for revenge and you give your word of honor that justice will be done. Yet, your conscience weakens you so you can’t do the task that demands no less that cold-blooded ruthlessness.

Something that is rightfully yours is taken away and given to somebody less worthy. Most of us have experienced how this feels. In the same way, most of us have also felt paralyzed by indecision, having been obsessed with the idea of “What if?” Hamlet’s story is also our story. We realize that he is us, and we are him. When he achieves catharsis, we feel liberated. And when he faces his destiny, we too are vindicated.

Hamlet’s soliloquy on death is one of the landmarks of literature. “To be or not to be” is a more famous line than “You are nothing but a second-rate, trying-hard copycat!” Deeper, too. What could be nobler? To face the heartaches of life, or to commit suicide and end all suffering? One takes great courage and faith; the other is more tempting. But there is one shield against this temptation. It is the ultimate fear — the fear of the unknown. What happens when we die? We do not know. We will understand when our time comes, but today we must decide. The present moment calls for action. 

If betrayal is ice, then Hamlet is the North Pole. Even his childhood friends Rosencratz and Guildenstern become spies of his uncle Claudius. But it is to them that Hamlet addresses the immortal words, “There is nothing good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” He subconsciously reveals that it is attitude that will make or break you, so to speak. In other words, how you view the world will dictate how you will respond to it.

Then, of course, there is Polonius, father of Ophelia, Hamlet’s fiancée. Polonius is a guy you will love and hate at the same time — an adorable enemy, if there is such a person. The advice he gives to his son Laertes alone is worth the price of the book. You have to remember that it may be the pompous Polonius’ dialogue, but it really is Shakespeare’s wisdom. The line “This, above all, to thine own self be true” is priceless advice — and the true secret of happiness and inner peace.