Essay On The Differences Between Hamlet And Dojoji

Both Dojoji and Hamlet showcase some of the major differences between Asian and Western thought and customs. The first text, of Japanese origin, places a meaningful emphasis on religious imagery. The play uses the images of dragons, rosaries, a bell, and cherry-blossom trees several times during its relatively short duration. On the other hand, Hamlet shows diverse Christian themes, present in Ophelia’s burial, the words uttered by Hamlet’s father’s ghost, and in some of Hamlet’s thoughts. However, the play does not seem to represent the ideas of a unified system of beliefs, which could be a reference to the religious uncertainty of Europe as a result of the Protestant Reformation between the XVI and XVII centuries, in which Hamlet was written. …show more content…
While the Japanese one exalts religion and presents it as a way of life that all should ascribe to in order to live happily, Shakespeare’s play uses religion as a means of representing reality. Hamlet’s varying views on life are reminiscent of those some people at the time probably held. Shakespeare sought to light the spark of doubt and reasoning in his audience, firstly by making Hamlet such an indecisive and insecure character, who despite opening up to the audience through soliloquies, does not reveal what really is on his mind. Up to this day, Hamlet is subject to sociological and psychological studies since most of his motifs are unclear and only hinted at. The Dojoji play conversely supports a different approach to life. Here the audience is requested to look at the tenets of Zen Buddhism as the path to a more fulfilling life, aiming to the complete rejection of logical reasoning and thoughts in general. As it becomes evident, both of these writings reflect the values and beliefs of two different cultures undergoing different situations; both offer an insight of humanity and the role the environment has in its overall development, its customs, and way of