Hamlet’s “now” of inward being

Sanford Budick*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

This essay proposes that the key element in Hamlet’s experience of a self “within that passes show” is his systematic achievement of a transformed temporality. His instrument for achieving this other temporality is recurrent representation of a chiasmus of theatricalization-an interminable interchange between kinds of role playing-that propels the imagination’s quest for authenticity. Harnessing the power of that chiasmus momentarily brackets or suspends external reality and transforms time into an internal “now” or “presence” where inward being is disclosed. Husserl’s meditative model of the epoché and Kant’s account of the sublime are levied upon to aid in explaining the achievement of this temporal transformation and the meaning of the resultant inward “now.”.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationShakespeare's Hamlet
Subtitle of host publicationPhilosophical Perspectives
PublisherOxford University Press
Pages130-153
Number of pages24
ISBN (Electronic)9780190698515
ISBN (Print)9780190698522
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2017
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Oxford University Press 2018. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Atemporality
  • Chiasmus
  • Epoché
  • Husserl
  • Kant
  • Mirroring
  • Now
  • Self
  • Spectatorship
  • Theatricalization

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