Simply the thing I am shall make me live

Simply the thing I am shall make me live

In the world of William Shakespeare, the idea that "simply the thing I am shall make me live" is a powerful and profound statement that speaks to the essence of human existence. Shakespeare's works are filled with characters who struggle with their identities, their place in the world, and the question of what it means to truly live.

One of the most famous examples of this theme can be found in Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." The titular character, Prince Hamlet, grapples with his own sense of self and purpose throughout the play. He is haunted by the ghost of his father, who urges him to seek revenge for his murder. Hamlet is torn between his duty to his father and his own moral compass, and he struggles to find his true identity in the midst of betrayal, madness, and death.

In the famous soliloquy "To be, or not to be," Hamlet contemplates the nature of existence and the meaning of life. He ponders whether it is nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles and end them. Ultimately, Hamlet realizes that it is his own sense of self that will determine his fate. He must embrace who he truly is in order to live authentically and find peace.

Similarly, in Shakespeare's play "Othello," the character of Othello struggles with his own identity as a Moor in a predominantly white society. He is constantly reminded of his otherness and is manipulated by those who seek to undermine him. Othello's tragic downfall is a result of his inability to fully accept himself and his heritage. It is only when he embraces his true self that he is able to find redemption and peace.