Re: Desire vs. Instinct, Determinism vs. Will -- Mimetic Theory and Literary Study

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Date Posted: 18:18:35 01/28/08 Mon
Author: Kiernan
Subject: Re: Desire vs. Instinct, Determinism vs. Will
In reply to: HWAET! 's message, "Desire vs. Instinct, Determinism vs. Will" on 14:42:43 01/21/08 Mon

At the risk of throwing in something completely inapplicable, Dr. Smith pointed out this line in Hamlet, which seems to play into our discussion of desire and will, though I can't say that I'm quite sure what the text indicates; I thought I'd present it for us all to wrestle with together.

In 4.7 of Hamlet, Claudius is telling Laertes how to entrap Hamlet. He says that Hamlet deeply envys Laertes' skill at the sword. Because of the parallel position of their fathers, Hamlet and Laertes clearly have an imitative relationship of some kind. As a result of this, Hamlet envies any small superiority which Laertes has. Claudius even comments that the sum of Laertes' virtues makes no impression on Hamlet; he considers only "one, and that, in my regard, of the unworthiest siege (75-76)." Claudius says that, as a result of this envy, Hamlet "shall not choose but fall (65)."

Thus, according to Claudius, Hamlet's choice is surrendered to his imitative relationship with Laertes. Whether this means that he made an initial choice to be in that relationship or not perhaps remains an open question; it still seems a good text from which to consider this question.

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