It can be very difficult for cultures to understand each other, especially if they are very different.  European and American culture probably seem as savage and alien to tribal Africans as their culture seems to us. Although I agree with most of Achebe's essay, I feel it has a slight aloofness or "holier than thou" tone.  The lack of knowledge of other cultures I sap often seen as ignorance, however, it may be very difficult for those who without large financial support to travel to, read about, and learn about other cultures. I also think it is less important to understand a culture than it is to merely respect or even just not to criticize the other culture.

Things Fall Apart—Blog 1

1. From the very beginning, Okonkwo is established as a successful and respected man even though he is cruel and violent.  Although he is a great warrior and has proven his strength many times, he beats his wife and children regularly, even during the week of peace.  His fear of weakness is understandable since his father lived without strength and dignity, however it is no excuse for his treatment of others.  Yes, sometimes tough love should be practiced in raising children, but it should at least be paired with support and occasional praise.  Overall, Okonkwo seems like a terrible person and I find it very hard as a reader to identify or empathize with him.

Hamlet as a Protagonist

Although young Hamlet is the main character and protagonist of Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," it becomes harder and harder to be on Hamlet's side as the plot thickens.  Although Hamlet seeks to avenge his father's murder, his plan involves another murder and, therefore, lacks morals.  It can also be very difficult to identify with and understand Hamlet as he is driven mad, no matter that his insanity is not always sincere.  Hamlet becomes even less likable when he harasses Ophelia with sexual puns and exclaims that she should go to a "nunnery" or in this case, a brothel.  Finally, as Hamlet kills Polonius, an innocent man, it is clear that he might cause more harm than good.  

The Dead King Hamlet

Although Hamlet places his father on a pedestal, the dead King Hamlet is no saint.  Hamlet considers his father to have been an excellent king who treated his wife, Gertrude, with live and respect, however, it seems the king's morals may have steeply declined after his death. King Hamlet's ghost asks Hamlet to avenge his murder by killing Claudius, which would cause Hamlet to sin and jeopardize his shot at going to Heaven.  This request puts both Hamlet's life and sanity at risk.  Instead of stopping Hamlet after he killed innocent Polonius, King Hamlet rather reminds him that he still needs to kill Claudius.  The dead King Hamlet is quite selfish and puts his own greed above the well-being of his son.

Themes in Hamlet

In Act I and Act II, Hamlet by William Shakespeare presents themes of revenge and appearance vs reality.  The ghost of the dead King Hamlet is first thought to be only a figment of the guards' imaginations.  However, after further appearances, the ghost is believed to be the true King Hamlet.  During young Hamlet's talk with the ghost of his father, the ghost tells young Hamlet of his murder and tells young Hamlet to seek revenge on Claudius.  Hamlet, however, is very conflicted about what he should do.    

Hamlet and Other Shakespeare plays

Hamlet has many similarities and differences to the other Shakespeare plays I have read, The Merchant of Venice and Macbeth.  The ghost of King Hamlet in Hamlet serves as a supernatural element similar to the witches in Macbeth which capture the viewers attention.  Both Hamlet and Macbeth take place among the royal family and nobility.  The concept of murder is also present as Hamlet contemplates killing his uncle just as Macbeth killed King Duncan, however, Hamlet's motives appear to be of revenge while Macbeth's were of greed.  The Merchant of Venice presents more legal and religious concepts such as money-lending and anti-semitism.  It also relies on riddles and problem-solving like the Portia's boxes and the contact with Shylock.

Tristan and Isolde in "The Wasteland"

The second part of "The Burial of The Dead" uses nature imagery to represent death, specifically of a loved one.  The allusion to the opera Tristan and Isolde by the German composer, Richard Wagner, is especially effective as it is a passage about a sailor separated from his love.  In the last line of the section "Od' und leer das Meer"  meaning that the sea is empty and desolate, describes the death of sailors as they go out to sea (Elliot line 42).  This death causes the "hyacinth girl" to feel after she hears that her beloved sailor as if her soul is dying too, which mirrors the death of the main characters in Tristan and Isolde who die for their love.