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The Stone Angel and Hamlet


            Good literature is considered not an escape from reality , but a plunge into a deeper reality, where universal truth's are glimpsed. This statement is true to a high degree for both, The Stone Angel , by Margaret Laurence and Hamlet, by William Shakespeare. The protagonists, Hagar in The Stone Angel and Hamlet in Hamlet go on a journey to discover knowledge and to achieve a better understanding about them selves. Both Characters depart, Hagar escaping her nursing home , while Hamlet sent away for his "own protection ". Along the way, they have test and trials which furthers their understanding of them selves. At last resulting in a transformation which gives them the final touch of understanding who they are. Therefore , through the examination of Hargar Shipley and Hamlet's departure, initiation and transformation, it becomes evident that both Characters have achieved deeper knowledge about them selves.
             Firstly, Both Hagar and Hamlet depart, leaving their known behind, and entering the unknown to understand them selves better. When Hagar finds out that soon she will be heading to the nursing home, she plans her escape. That night she does not sleep and says, "I can recall a quiet place, I think, not so very far from here Shadow Point " (p.139). She plans on going to Shadow Point to learn about her self. Once she gets there she realizes that she doesn't have a light and says, " I have no light. A person needs a light-that's a certainty. I wonder if I am here at all or if I only imagine myself to be " (p.162). Light usually represents knowledge , when Hagar talks about the light, she is talking about not knowing her self , since she does not have a "light " yet. Similarly, Hamlet also departs from Elsinore. Hamlet ˜s departure is caused by polonius's death. Hamlet has killed Polunoiu's thinking it was the king, Claudius. Claudius is worried, because Polonius death could have been his death and sends Hamlet to England.


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