After finishing up Crime and Punishment I saw Rodion as a weak man, who while he was smarter than his victim as well as incredibly sophisticated, (compared to the people he was around), he was plagued by inner conflict, and inaction. For example, while Rodion extremely disliked the idea that his sister was going to get married, he cannot truly bring himself to stop the wedding. He battles with the what ifs of his actions, and never truly comes to a conclusion of his liking. The mental condition that Radion faces reminds me of another tragic character. A certain Prince of Denmark that was faced with the dreadful task of murdering his uncle. Both characters wonder whether or not their actions will truly make them happy. Instead both are caught in a emotional cross fire between their pride and their own specific happiness.
For example, while Hamlet wanted to avenge his father’s death at the hands of his conspiring brother, Hamlet himself did not really feel comfortable with the decision of killing his uncle. However Rodion is faced with a situation that he doesn’t care for. His sister is getting married to a man who, while very financially stable is just not right for her in Rodion’s mind. Yet while Rodion believes this is wrong, he cannot do anything to stop it from happening. Another similarity between the two are that both are well educated young men, and they both believe that they are smarter than their victims (i.e.: The pawn shop lady for Radion, and King Claudius for Hamlet) Yet by the time they complete the deed, something goes horribly wrong.
posted by Eddie D.
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What an interesting comparison! You should continue to track this idea throughout the book. Dostoevsky definitely read Hamlet... see what you think about the comparison between Sophia and Ophelia, too.
ReplyDeleteI actually think that Raskolnikov is a very strong character. True the long pages of his seemingly hypochondriac actions and thoughts of being above the law at first led me to believe he is a man afraid of human affection, finishing the book completely changed my opinion of him. I think that by confessing to the crime, and finding a strong foundation to lean on (sonya) Raskolnikov was able to make a 360 degree turn towards becoming more compassionate and less detached, and a man that endured crime, punishment, and rebirth.
ReplyDeletewell for starters the characters of sonya, and ophilia both are very tragic characters in the way that they both lost their parents, the men that they love (or like) are slowly going insane, and they are trapped in the middle of situations that they have absolutly no control over.
ReplyDeleteHowever while they both are thrusted into these situations I saw Sonya as a stronger charater, as she reamined optimistic, and faithful in the religion, and goodness. Ophilia on the other hand becomes more depressed and eventually commits suicide, as she could not handle the situations that happened around her.
However I saw both characters as driving forces to the finale of the stories. Ophilia's depression, decent into insanity, and untimly death lead to duel between Larates, and Hamlet which,as we all know goes horribly horribly tragic. Sonya on the other hand drives Raskolinkov to finally except that he is not as extrodinary as he thinks, and ultimatley confess to his crime of murder.
I completely agree with you, I definitely saw many similarities between Hamlet and Rodion. They both are ambivalent beings, plagued by their consciousness.
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