Nietzsche and Shakespeare

On the plane ride home, I finally drudged my way to the end of Nietzsche's manifesto, Thus Spake Zarathustra. What a drag. For those who are interested in exploring Nietzsche, do NOT choose this book for your first foray. Much of what he said is entirely against my most core beliefs, but on a more basic level, I simply could not understand what he was going on about a lot of the time. I don't think I've ever read a book that irritated me more, except Voltaire's Candide. (Weird how both these books I read for musical purposes...Bernstein and Strauss.) I couldn't even bring myself to finish it, I was so annoyed...promptly gave it to a friend who's far more cynical and tolerant of endless sarcasm. She enjoyed it very much.
All this being said, there were a few passages in the Nietzsche that I enjoyed enough to dog-ear and share, so here they are:

It is true we love life; not because we are wont to live, but because we are wont to love.
There is always some madness in love. But there is always, also, some method in madness.


Marriage: so call I the will of the twain to create the one that is more than those who created it.


His soul become impatient and full of longing for those whom he loved: because he had still much to give them. For this is the hardest of all: to close the open hand out of love, and keep modest as a giver.


Will--so is the emancipator and joy-bringer called: thus have I taught you, my friends! But now learn this likewise: the Will itself is still a prisoner. Willing emancipateth: but what is that called which still putteth the emancipator in chains?...that it cannot break time and time's desire--that is the Will's lonesomest tribulation.


Free will and its limits...which brings me to Shakespeare, and my favorite moment in Macbeth:


(as he's facing his imminent and inevitable death, realizing that he has no control over his destiny)
I will not yield, to kiss the ground before young Malcolm's feet...though opposed, Yet I will try the last. Before my body I throw my war lie shield. Lay on, Macduff, and damn'd be him that first cries, "Hold, enough!" -Macbeth

One of the incredible feats Shakespeare accomplishes is creating characters that captivate their audience, pulling readers along as if by hypnosis, despite how despicable the character may be. We know Macbeth is no saint...he kills people, tricks people, is unmoved by his wife's death...nevertheless, in his last moments as he picks up his sword and vows not to yield even in the face of his destiny (which he finally acknowledges), there's this strange triumph that stirs in my gut and enthusiastic internal cheering (GO MACBETH!).  It's as if Shakespeare is telling us, yes, free will may only exist within the confines of fate, like a tiny inaccessible window in the prison of a pre-written destiny...but these futile fighters of fate are nobler than those who submit.
(Whether I agree with this is a whole different matter.)

Arts and Crafts 3

What finals? 'Tis the season for making holiday cards! :)

 

 

And from a while ago:

A Tumblr Post

...meaning, posting a picture/video/link, writing a few words underneath ("lol," "exactly," and/or "<3"), and calling it a blog entry. I could potentially go on for a couple paragraphs on any of these (unrelated) things, but there's too much to share, and no time or need to elaborate, for the most part.

1) First of all, my favorite:

HAHAHA!!! Not making a statement on my political views, but just saying as an unbiased observer, this is absolutely hilarious. Seriously, every time I watch it, I just laugh even harder.

2) 
Gave me a good laugh when I saw it this morning. Based on http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-16023328.

3) Award-winning pizza made by the cutest happiest old man. :)

Imagine being the best at something so simple, yet so appreciated--making pizza--for 50 years. He doesn't even use oven mitts, he just takes the pizza out of the oven with his bare hands...haha! More at http://www.domdemarcos.com/story.html. DiFara's pizza...when you eat it, you won't be able to stop smiling.

4) Love, love me doe:  http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/12/06/chinese-zoo-at-a-loss-what-to-do-when-a-deer-and-a-ram-fall-in-love/ :)

5) Cool beyond words:

*** One more:

V showed me this at her house recently...I have NO idea why, but we watched it over and over, gasping for breath amid hysterical laughter. I share it in the hopes that the two of us weren't totally crazy, and other saner people find it funny too.