Hamlet and Arjuna: Heroes of a Feather

About the Book

The enigmatic psyche of Hamlet, the prince of Denmark has raised myriad critical opinions, which see him as an indecisive hero, a lunatic, misogynist and a philosopher who failed as a son, lover and prince, leading a life of incest shadowed by inferiority complex and paranoia. The result is the son becoming the bane of his family. The book takes a fresh look at Hamlet, the hero, from a novel angle in the light of the philosophy of the Bhagavadgita, and projects him as a hero who fights many a battle in his mind against his own gunas until he gets refined as a Trigunatita. A glance at Hamlet criticism provides a kaleidoscopic view of the extensive critical readings on Hamlet ever since the text was published. This work captivates converging and diverging elements of the two masterpieces. In Hamlet and Arjuna: Birds of a Feather, Dr. Salia Rex analyses the psyche and actions of Hamlet, the tragic hero of William Shakespeare, and Arjuna, the mythological hero of Veda Vyasa, to unearth their converging elements and quintessential uniqueness as heroes.

About the Author

This book is a philosophical text based on two literary characters: Hamlet and Arjuna. The arguments are based on facts in the texts referred to and are highlighted as inferences that support my hypothesis. I have tried my best to remain objective in my perspective. I believe this book will pique the readers’ interest, since the subject and the perspective is a blend of uniqueness and novelty.