Reflection on Hamlet

April 19, 2012 | David Bendezou

David wrote this contemporary reflection on life in prison in response to the “To Be or Not to Be” soliloquy.  In performance the other members of the group were used  as a chorus. It was inserted in the text just before Michael performed Hamlet’s “To Be or Not to Be” soliloquy.

What’s the point? Or is there even a point?

Should I be something I’m not? Thus follow all corn-pone opinions and conform to your obedient standards. Will all of

that help you relax, because I’m definitely not Caliban, or maybe I am. Maybe if I just take my life there would be no more suffering.

ALL TOGETHER: For sufferance is the badge of all our tribe.

No more wishing for freedom, she doesn’t even talk to me anymore.   No more tears, no more love, and no more causing others pain . . .or maybe I still would?

ALL TOGETHER: Thus Conscience is some scary shit . . .

But I still won’t allow these bars to break me, or these judges to sentence my mind, nor will I allow this system to bury me alive for I would rather suffer with a proud smile than to give into the madness.

So I ask, are you willing to go through what I’ve been thorough?

{each member of the group responds, individually}

And no, I’m not blaming you or the world . . .I’m just saying, what’s the point?