Author: FENG LIN

In “Of the Inconsistency of Our Actions,” Montaigne points out the difference between their behavior and action.  The philosophies he proposed may not be surprising in today’s view. But the philosophy of 500 years ago can also resonate with today’s thinking, which is a rare thing. Here is an example of how we contradict ourselves, “even good authors are wrong to insist on fashioning a consistent and solid fabric out of us. They choose on general characteristic, and go and arrange and interpret all a man actions to fit their picture; and if they cannot twist them enough, they go and set them down to dissimulation”. (page 363) We can judge people by our own opinions. Therefore, I agree with Montaigne that people are inconsistent with their actions and behaviors.

What I am confused by this book is the examples. Although it was aimed at the prejudice of men against women that prevailed at the time. But it seems that the examples have not been able to justify all women. Also, this book is mostly based on religious mythology, so its persuasion is weak. This is probably limited by the author’s educational background. This book is still limited by the trend of the times. In the end, it is still preaching to women, hoping that they will devote / tolerate.

 

What function do Hamlet’s soliloquies (or any one of them you’d like to analyze) serve in the play?

A soliloquy is an act of speaking one’s thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers. The monologue of Hamlet is the essence of the play. That is key to understanding Hamlet as a tragic character. In the monologue, the reader realized that Hamlet was experiencing a huge emotional shock. His father’s mysterious and sudden death and his mother remarried so quickly.
‘O God, God, How weary, stale, flat and unprofitable Seem to me all the uses of this world!’ (I.ii.) The monologue here shows that he is not only sad for his father and mother but also that he is bored with life itself. Shakespeare used character monologues to provide readers with information to understand Hamlet. Without this information, it will be difficult for readers to understand the character’s behavior. Through these monologues, we can learn about Hamlet’s character and experience pain with him.