#hamlet is SO mentally ill

[lizardrosen]

Let My Disclaiming From a Purposed Evil

Everything is coming together. Laertes has a plan, and it’s a good one. He gets what he wants and Hamlet gets what he deserves, and his sister gets to rest and his father gets to be proud of him for once. It’s a good plan, and the king may have guided him some of the way but this was still all his own choice.

So why isn’t he happy?

Well, how could anyone be happy after seeing Hamlet’s face when he clambered from the grave and demanded that Laertes prove his love for Ophelia? It would have been easy to dismiss it as a childish bid for attention and he wanted to dismiss it, but as Hamlet writhed on the ground shouting about crocodiles it became inescapably clear that something about him was just not right. It’s clear that Hamlet is not in control of himself, at least not the Hamlet who hugged Laertes goodbye five months ago.

Hamlet is not his madness but his madness is a part of him, jostling for space with the anger of grief and the fascination with death and the cloying sweetness of having all his worst suspicions confirmed, and all the people he had to shove to the corners of his mind because his position as prince prohibited him from becoming them. No matter which Hamlet or non-Hamlet was in charge, the same fingers pulled that trigger, and there is a death outstanding. The mad laughing prince is the price.

[montypng]

every once in a while i remember that one xmen fic i read ages ago that put pietro maximoff through the most gruesome, agonizing, and soul-crushing time loop experience i have ever seen before or since and well. i am not even into xmen that much . i will never forget it.

[cleverclove]

Laertes with a history of mental illness. Laertes who would lock himself in a bathroom and cut and scratch, hoping that that would dull the pain. Laertes who has never, ever felt like a good enough son or a good enough brother. Laertes who feels better off dead sometimes.

Laertes who’s sent to France for rehab. Laertes who feels abandoned by his father, who he feels just threw money at the problem hoping it would go away. Hoping he would go away.

Laertes who worries he passed his mental illness on to his sister. Laertes who’s terrified that Ophelia will see the brother she looks up to as weak.

And…Laertes who blames himself for her suicide. Did she kill herself because she saw him trying many times before? Did he ruin her somehow with his fucked-up mind and scars across his arms?

Laertes, who has been clean for so long, starting to hurt himself again. Because he deserves these, doesn’t he? He deserves to be alone because he went and fucked up the only family he had.

Laertes, who was just a hurt little boy, at the end of it.

[blossoms-and-petrichor]

the way popular culture and even parts of academia all analyze ophelia's actions and dialogue throughout the play through the lens of her death as if her death was inevitable makes me indescribably sad

[saffaggot]

EXCSE ME??? THERE WAS GONNA BE A MUPPETS ADAPTION WHERE GONZO AND FOZZIE PLAYED ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ??? HELLLOOO ????? 

[lina-studen]

"something floral": literature student blabbering about the usage of flower symbolism in "nevermore", how it ties to the theme of insanity and a little bit (a lot) about shakespeare.

from lenore's perspective, flowers are closely associated with isolation caused by her trauma and supposed "hysteria". floral pattern wallpaper accompanied her loneliness for days, months, even years. image of the flowers signaled that lenore's position would remain unchanged, that she was stuck, that she would continue to slowly loosing the clarity of her mind.

having torn the wallpaper off the walls, lenore believes that she will never see this image again, but flowers continue to accompanying her. lenore sees them again during her first meeting with annabel lee. and during the last one, too. she may have managed to get out of her lonely room, gain more strength in her legs, find a new friend, but lenore is still trapped. she's the daughter disowned by her parents, a stain on the family reputation that must be hidden forever. the image of flowers doesn't let her forget about it.

similar symbolism is also not alien to annabel lee. episode 66 is interesting in particular, because it directly quotes ophelia's monologue. I'm a big fan of shakespeare, it was he who instilled in me an interest in floral symbolism. a year ago, for a conference on foreign literature, I wrote an article about flower language of "hamlet". it's not available in english, but I'll list down some points that I considered relevant regarding "nevermore".

• rosemary can serve as a keepsake between lovers and also between the dead and the living. it could be seen at both weddings and funerals. in the old days it was also believed to be helpful in mental illnesses treatment.

• pansies, just like violets, symbolize innocence and devotion. ophelia doesn't consider the people around her worthy of violets, since she blames them for the death of her father.

• rue is a symbol of eternal suffering; grieving over her murdered father and the loss of her beloved hamlet, ophelia leaves some of the flowers for herself.

• the image of daisies has a close connection with the concepts of innocence, fidelity and eternal love. in shakespeare's tragedy, this symbol is overshadowed by the fact that in the world around ophelia there's no place for these beautiful things. for "nevermore" the symbol is also not so positive, since the readers are already familiar with daisies. they were on that wallpaper in lenore's room.

it's impossible not to note that annabel lee recites the monologue while in the bath, in the water. ophelia decides not to resist the river flow. her life turned into a tragedy: she was left without a father, her lover has seemingly lost his mind. her own sanity is also called into question. ophelia sings cryptic songs, goes into the field to weave a wreath, gives flowers to other characters. in the eyes of those around them, hamlet and ophelia seem crazy, while being the only sane and honest people among them. there's no place for tender, innocent ophelia in a cruel, deceitful world, so she drowns.

annabel lee also reflects on how both she and lenore are considered madwomen. her meeting with "leo" is accompanied by floral pattern on the annabel's dress. their madness is contextual, they both are perfectly sane, but don't fit into the system that could be leading to real madness with time. "all madwomen die twice. at least twice".

now about the arboretum. it obviously has a lot of flowers, but in my opinion this place is interesting in a different context. lenore and annabel visited the arboretum twice to discuss upcoming plans and such, and there are many parallels, both visual and narrative. not much time has passed since last time, but their situation has changed. they seem to look on their past selves from the upper level, having their conflict more acute now. I'll make a more detailed post about it later.

and now I'll just focus on how the characters in this arboretum full of roses behave as lost and confused as in the phobia-inducing flower labyrinth from earlier episodes. “the closer you get to beautiful flowers, the closer you get to their thorns,” says duke in episode 38. the flower imagery haunting the main characters doesn't let them forget that their sanity is always on a verge of slipping. and once a flower falls from its stem, it cannot be fixed.

p.s. guess which writer’s works I chose for a new article this year?

[princeloww]

DAVID TENNANT ROLES STARTERPACK

(Different roles, where to find them and what they're like!!!) (+ more that I didn't go into included at the end)

*disclaimer: this is sort of UK orientated, 'cos I don't know any American streaming services or where stuff is available in other countries, so PLEASE comment other places you can watch things!!!!

- Takin' Over the Asylum (CAMPBELL BAIN)

Follows a DJ and a group of patients trying to keep a radio station going in a mental hospital. David plays one of the main characters, Campbell Bain, a mostly upbeat and energetic young boy with lots of enthusiasm and spirit. Some angst!

☆ YOUTUBE (free)

- Blackpool (PETER CARLISLE)

A body is found in an arcade run by Ripley Holden, and him and his entire family are pulled into the murder investigation surrounding it. DI Peter Carlisle is working on the case, and highly suspicious of Ripley. He's a pretty major character and has a romantic plot - as well as a few funny musical numbers. Includes sex scenes.

☆ UKTV PLAY (free in UK), AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

- Casanova (GIACOMO CASANOVA)

The (mostly sexual) adventures of Giacomo Casanova, a charming and fraudulent man who falls in love very quickly and very dramatically with a lot of people, all while essentially bullshitting through life and jumping on every opportunity to make money. Includes sex scenes but also angst, such as illness, injuries, some violence, and general suffering.

☆ MYFLIXERX.TO (free), AMAZON

- Recovery (ALAN HAMILTON)

A man and his family coping with the recovery and rehabilitation process after he (Alan, David Tennant) suffers from brain damage. Angsty. Lots of crying, suicide references, head injury stuff.

☆ YOUTUBE (free)

- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (BARTY CROUCH JR)

I recommend pirating this one so you're not supporting JK Rowling. DT plays Barty Crouch JR, an antagonist and the son of Barty Crouch. He's kind of a minor character, as he's not actually in a lot of scenes.

☆ Probably on most pirating sites (my go to is MYFLIXERX.TO)

- Learners (CHRISTOPHER ??)

Lighthearted movie about a woman trying to pass her driving test. David plays Chris, her driving instructor. He's a bit of a dork, very sweet and kind. Has a love plot, briefly fights a guy. No major angst.

☆ YOUTUBE (free)

- Hamlet (HAMLET)

Hamlet. Prince of Denmark wants vengeance after his father's death. I haven't actually watched this one yet but I assume it's got the same amount of angst and drama as Hamlet typically does.

☆ AMAZON PRIME VIDEO

- Single Father (DAVE TYLER)

After a fatal car accident, Dave Tyler (DT) is left to parent four children on his own. Still struggling through grief, Dave falls in love again and attempts to hide it. Has LOTS of crying, lots of kissing, sex scenes, DT being miserable and sobbing, etc.

☆ MYFLIXERX.TO (free)

- Rex Is Not Your Lawyer (REX ALEXANDER)

Unaired pilot. Only 40 minutes. Show wasn't picked up, but it is very good. Rex is a successful and skilled lawyer who is forced to stop practising when he starts having panic attacks every time he speaks in court. He decides instead to coach people who want to represent themselves. Lots of DT in very tight suits. American accent. Not MAJOR angst but he does has daddy issues and a panic disorder, so.

☆ YOUTUBE (free)

- Fright Night (PETER VINCENT)

A kid discovers that his neighbour is a vampire, and he seeks out a famous vampire slayer to help him. Peter Vincent (DT) does not live up to his name, and turns out to actually be sort of pathetic. No major angst, not a lot of clothes, no romance, but lots of eyeliner. He's very bisexual. Violence, vampire horror, creepy neighbour.

☆ DISNEY+, AMAZON PRIME

- The Decoy Bride (JAMES ARBER)

Celebrity Lara Tyler tries to get married to her author fiancé James Arber, but the paparazzi interrupts the wedding. Desperate to keep it private, she takes James to the island that he based his book on. Somehow, the paparazzi still find them, and they hire a decoy bride to pretend to be Lara. Romance, kissing, light hearted, minimal angst. David in a funny outfit. Fake dating trope?

☆ AMAZON PRIME

- Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger (Donald and Roderick Peterson)

Sequel to Nativity, but you don't need to watch the first one. Primary school teacher Donald Peterson (DT) is forced to take his class to Wales to participate in A Song For Christmas, a festive singing competition. Here he is put against his twin brother, who is a successful composer and with whom he has a strained relationship. Light angst - lots of daddy issues, but generally sweet.

☆ AMAZON, I think its on NOW TV???

- The Escape Artist (WILL BURTON)

A defence lawyer, Will Burton, gets a murderer off free, and very quickly grows to regret it, when his client comes after his family next. Lots of murder. Like three murders I think. Hot lawyer DT.

☆ AMAZON (I can't believe I forgot this one)

- What We Did On Our Holiday (DOUG MCLEOD)

A family go to Scotland for their grandfather's 70th birthday. Doug (DT) and his wife (Rosamund Pike) are getting a divorce, but are hiding it from the rest of the family. Movie is mostly focused on the kids and their grandad, but David has a few moments, and he's generally present throughout. Funny, slightly shocking at times, family film. No major angst. Character death.

☆ AMAZON PRIME

- Richard II (RICHARD II)

Shakespeare's Richard II. David plays the titular character, the extravagant, heartless and cold King of England, Richard II. We see his fall from grace as he is stripped of everything he owns and knows. Quite angsty. Long hair, androgynous David. Queer kiss scene (although they are cousins, soo...)

☆ you can find a link in a REDDIT comment if you search for it, AMAZON PRIME

- Broadchurch (ALEC HARDY)

An eleven-year-old boy is murdered in a small town, sending shock-waves through the community. Story follows both the family and communities response to the crime, as well as the investigation done by DI Alec Hardy (DT) and DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Coleman). Lots of angst from Alec. He is sick and hiding it. Injury, dizziness, panic attacks, that sort of thing - as well as a heart attack. He has a lot of trauma and daddy issues. Season three touches on topics of rape (warning).

- Mad To Be Normal (RD LIANG)

Biopic about RD Liang, a Scottish psychiatrist. Sex, misogyny, mental health topics, some self-harm (done by another character)

☆ AMAZON (sensing a pattern)

- Good Omens (CROWLEY)

An angel (Michael Sheen) and a demon work together to stop the end of the world. Queer romance (canon), some angst. Drama, comedy, LGBTQ+. David plays Crowley, the demon (who "sauntered vaguely downwards" rather than fell from heaven)

☆ AMAZON PRIME

- Staged (DAVID TENNANT)

A COVID lockdown comedy about David Tennant and Michael Sheen talking via Zoom during the lockdown. Actually quite sad at times? Mostly silly, though. Features Georgia Tennant and Anna Lundberg.

☆ BBC Iplayer (UK) (or VPN)

- Around The World in 80 Days (PHILEAS FOGG)

Phileas Fogg, a quiet and reserved man, decides to travel around the world in 80 days, after he receives an anonymous postcard calling him a coward. Cute found family, drama, angst (ex-lover stuff, internalised cowardice, illness, near death experience), some violence. There's a scene where Phileas gets flogged (whipped, essentially) quite violently, and it's somewhat graphic. Touches on themes of racism. Phileas is 100% neurodivergent.

☆ BBC Iplayer (UK) (or VPN)

- Inside Man (HARRY WATLING)

DT plays a vicar, Harry, who is involved in a murder after trying to protect his son - who was accused of having CP. Suicide themes, murder, self-harm - explores the idea that any person can murder, if they're pushed the right way. Includes topics to do with CP and pedophilia.

☆ NETFLIX, AMAZON

- Litvinenko (LITVINENKO)

Biopic about Alexander Litvinenko. A group of detectives investigate the poisoning of Litvinenko. David is bald in this show. (Scary)

☆ ITVX (UK) (or VPN)

- Doctor who (10TH AND 14TH DOCTORS)

Do I need to explain Doctor Who???? David Tennant plays the tenth and fourteenth regenerations of The Doctor, a Time Lord from outerspace. He travels around in the TARDIS with human companions.

☆ BBC Iplayer (UK)

I think I'm gonna leave it there, but there are a LOT that I have not touched on. This post is a very accurate and long list of everything on DT's filmography, so i recommend you check that out.

Other things I didn't mention (off the top of my head):

There She Goes, Bad Samaritan, Einstein and Eddington, Rab. C Nesbitt, Bright Young Things, LA Without a Map, Much Ado About Nothing, Duck Patrol, True Love, Gracepoint, Camping (US), Nan's Christmas Carol, Mary Queen of Scots, (You, Me and Him), Secret Smile, Deadwater Fell, Jessica Jones, Dramarama, Spies of Warsaw, AND A LOT MORE. (+ voice acting roles, and also his narrating work on Spy In The Wild (2017)

[butchhamlet]

i said i was going to arrange a list of my favorite articles/criticism about shakespeare, so here’s my first little roundup! obligatory disclaimer that i don’t necessarily agree with or endorse every single point of view in each word of these articles, but they scratch my brain. will add to this list as i continue reading, and feel free to add your own favorites in the reblogs! :]

essays

Is Shakespeare For Everyone? by Austin Tichenor (a basic examination of that question)

Interrogating the Shakespeare System by Madeline Sayet (counterpoint/parallel to the above; on Shakespeare’s place in, and status as, imperialism)

Shakespeare in the Bush by Laura Bohannan (also a good parallel to the above; on whether Shakespeare is really culturally “universal”)

The Unified Theory of Ophelia: On Women, Writing, and Mental Illness ("I was trying to make sense of the different ways men and women related to Ophelia. Women seemed to invoke her like a patron saint; men seemed mostly interested in fetishizing her flowery, waterlogged corpse.”)

Hamlet Is a Suicide Text—It’s Time to Teach It Like One (on teaching shakespeare plays about suicide to high schoolers)

Commuting With Shylock by Dara Horn (on listening to MoV with a ten-year-old son, as modern jewish people, to look at that eternal question of Is This Play Antisemitic?)

All That Glisters is Not Gold (NPR episode, on whether it’s possible to perform othello, taming of the shrew, & merchant to do good instead of harm)

academic articles

the Norton Shakespeare’s intro to the Merchant of Venice (apologies about the highlights here; they are not mine; i scanned this from my rented copy)

the Norton Shakespeare’s intro to Henry the Fourth part 1 (and apologies for the angled page scans on this one; see above)

Richard II: A Modern Perspective by Harry Berger Jr (this is the article that made me understand richard ii)

Hamlet’s Older Brother (“Hamlet and Prince Hal are in the same situation, the distinction resting roughly on the difference between the problem of killing a king and the problem of becoming one. ... Hamlet is literature’s Mona Lisa, and Hal is the preliminary study for it.”)

Egyptian Queens and Male Reviewers: Sexist Attitudes in Antony & Cleopatra Criticism (about more than just reviewers; my favorite deconstruction of shakespeare’s cleopatra in general)

Strange Flesh: Antony and Cleopatra and the Story of the Dissolving Warrior (“If Troilus and Cressida is [Shakespeare’s] vision of a world in which masculinity must be enacted in order to exist, Antony and Cleopatra is his vision of a world in which masculinity not only must be enacted, but simply cannot be enacted, his vision of a world in which this particular performance has broken down.”)

misc

Elegy of Fortinbras by Zbigniew Herbert (poem that makes me fucking insane)

Dirtbag Henry IV (what it sounds like.)

Cleopatra and Antony by Linda Bamber (what if a&c... was good.)

[oliswamp]

Anxious Manwhore AU: Extended family edition

tags via @nightmarearian

Yes, yes, and yes. To those not in the known, Laertes was Ody's father. Specifying this because there's also Hamlet character of the same name lol.

My musings under cut!

Laertes having unspecified sort of mental illness resulting in psychosis just Makes Sense. Maybe he had schizoaffective disorder? Jumping between depression and (hipo)mania he has shown Odysseus how to deal with various mental states, and although it was a huge baggage for the entire family, Ody loves his father to bits.

Odysseus knows his father both as his best (hunting that fucking Boar; Argonauts) and the worst, his depressive episodes when he wouldn't want to even show his face to the people.

When Ody starts experiencing hallucinations and delusions, Laertes tries to help as much as he can with his experiences.

They both feel pretty helpless about the state of the lineage though, because who would want to marry someone with such baggage, even if they were a king?

And then comes Penelope. Penelope with her own baggage, but so much understanding and resourcefulness, she completely blows them away with her methods of dealing with mental stuff. She listens, understands, and helps.

Laertes has a conversation with Odysseus that goes: "if you don't marry her and worship the ground she walks on, I'm going to disinherit you". It's an empty threat, they both know Odysseus already worships the ground Penelope walks on.

Later, once they're expecting a child, Laertes prays to any god who listens that little Telemachus (or Telemachia, depending on what gender the child is gonna turn out) doesn't have the same baggage as his father.

The gods only kind of listen.

Telemachus is autistic. (Did you know autism was considered a symptom of schizophrenia until very recently? Like. It literally was not considered its own thing until like 1980)

More on my headcanons later, I really need to do my homework now, but to reiterate: I completely agree with the tags. Especially since I'm schizoaffective myself.

So yeah! Tune in later for more AU thoughts, and perhaps the first draft of the song! (I promise nothing)

Taglist: @the-beloved-genloss-niki (ask to be added and I'll @ you each time I make a post about this au!)

[tylermileslockett]

Cassandra's Lament"

Her monologue here in this play is incredibly powerful, and is an early example of the "mad speech," whereby a character performs a monologue of madness. (it made me immediately think of Ophelia's madness speech from Hamlet, and I wonder if the English bard was inspired by Aeschylus's speech for Cassandra here.

CASSANDRA was a "Pythia" (priestess of Apollo). She was also a daughter of King Priam of Troy. Apollo fell in love with her, and offered her the power of prophecy as an enticement. But after receiving the power, Cassandra rebuked Apollo, so the god added a curse to the gift, that her power of prophecy would never be believed by any mortal. There's a story of Cassandra being held at the palace of Troy in a pyramidal building away from the others, as she was always spouting inane prophecies, and thus, deemed mad. Is this one of the first literary examples of a character with mental illness? What's more, she tried to warn the trojans of many coming horrors, such as Paris absconding with Helen and the coming trojan war, but alas, she was dismissed as touched, and ignored. Unfortunately, things get worse for the poor girl. After the sack of Troy, "Ajax the lesser" rapes Cassandra in Athena's temple (which Enrages Athena, and will cause many Greeks problems on their return journeys). Cassandra is then taken as Agamemnon's concubine and taken back to Mycenae, where we pick up with her presently in the play, at the front of the palace door. Agamemnon has already entered the house, and Cassandra, prophesying the coming violence within the house, gives a chilling speech, lamenting her cursed fate, and attempting to warn the chorus of Clytemnestra's deadly plans for Agamemnon and Cassandra; but, as usual, to no avail; the chorus dismiss her fears as crazy babbling. Cassandra finally accepts her fate, and enters the house, walking to her death.

Thanks for reading!

Want to own my Illustrated Greek myth book jam packed with over 130 illustrations like this? Support my kickstarter for my book "lockett Illustrated: Greek Gods and Heroes

[incorrect-ikevamp-quotes]

Man. How did I forget that an entire subplot of Dazai's main story was just. Trying to trap him into having a single conversation with MC like a normal person I'm so akhdjgfkljshgskjd

I just love watching her, Arthur, and Isaac deadass plot with glee to get one over on Dazai it's killing me, this is some Hamlet level shit (no Charles do not stand behind the curtain to kill Dazai coming in the window!!! yamero!!!!!)

Also because I felt personally attacked (/j) when Isaac said this:

I love you Isaac but pls have mercy on creatives we only have one brain cell and we're trying s o hard oTL

Although, and I'll leave it under the cut since I'm back on my Comte-posting, but the way Comte talks about Dazai fascinates me. Also just as fair warning, I do broach a lot of the topics that come up in Dazai rt so trigger warnings for self-harm, suicide, CPTSD and PTSD, trauma, etc. I don't go too too in-depth, but they are there.

Comte: "Dazai is quite skilled at concealing what he's really feeling, even from himself, perhaps."

The way he instantly remarks on how Dazai is not only working to conceal what he feels from others, but also from himself. Tbh I think that's enormously perceptive, because at first glance most people tend to think Dazai is lazy, troublesome, flippant, or erratic (and sometimes, a combination of all of these).

I love that he sees to the core of who Dazai is and what he's feeling; fear. Dazai is afraid of hurting someone again, but I also think on some level he's made it an ontological problem; he's afraid of himself. He thinks his very existence is a negative entity, something that exists only to hurt and/or estrange other people, something wrong/different. I'd argue that's why he's so adamant about mood-making and keeping to himself. If you never express how you truly feel or live true to yourself, on some level you can't entirely reach others. Because fundamentally, being close to other people does require some level of lowered defenses and sharing. Ergo, never dwell too long or give too much of yourself away, never make a mark on anyone--good or bad.

As a side note, Theo calls him "a half-strewn dandelion puff" and I agree that's rather blunt, but on some level Theo operates on a level of utility. His entire operating precept is that life and work must serve a discrete purpose. And Dazai, in choosing to opt out of living with meaning/intent out of fear, makes this description entirely consistent with Theo's perspective of the world. Though his phrasing is harsh and perhaps one-dimensional, I do find it interesting that he comes to a similar conclusion as Comte as to what Dazai is doing.

Comte talks about it with such clarity and calm, he really does feel so parental in this moment. He's not necessarily minimizing the reality of how Dazai is experiencing the world, but he also clearly doesn't agree with Dazai's self-perception. Perhaps most striking to me is how Comte seems to understand that the only threat Dazai poses is to himself...Sometimes it feels like, in the case of conditions like mental illness/depression/etc. people are so eager to assume ill will of a person. This is only exponentially compounded if they prove to have striking intelligence and strategic capacity, the same way Dazai does. I guess I can't help but appreciate that Comte knows the difference between strong and scared, and even how the lines between the two can and often do blur (perhaps best exemplified in his relationships with Jeanne and Dazai).

(Side note: I forgot which event it was but, one time when Dazai was homesick for cherry blossom watching, Comte had the entire house filled with flowers to cheer him up [insert ugly sobbing]).

For someone so enigmatic, evasive, and distant, Comte still notices instantly that Dazai is much, much happier with MC. I suppose it makes me wonder if Comte knew all along that Dazai's real wish was to be accepted and loved as he was, but kept quiet out of respect for his privacy. I would offer too that sometimes people need to realize these things on their own for the information to have value.

But what really gets my ass is what Comte says right after:

This is my bread and butter (so is he but that's not the point of this particular TED talk). In the last few years I've done a lot of exploratory work on how trauma is mapped both internally but also visibly on the body. What I think is engaging here is that, while it could be read on a surface level as "body language gives people's true intentions away" I don't think that's quite what he's getting at. Or perhaps better phrased, it's an oversimplification. I don't think it's that body language can't communicate real and important information about people's lives. Rather, that people associate rigid and absolutist interpretations to singular mannerisms, which does a disservice to both parties. Nobody can know a person at a glance; to say that you do reduces the lived reality of the opposite party.

Comte gives simple examples and couches his words for the context of the moment, but I think that first line is incredibly telling. "But the body is remarkably truthful." It makes me think of how, in moments where Comte is overcome with anxiety as a result of traumatic recurrence, he has acute panic attacks (i.e. shortened breath, racing heart, trembling). How Leonardo's lethargy (i.e. napping on the floor everywhere like the hobo he is) belies the reality of his very real exhaustion, the emotional turmoil that comes with a fraught immortal life.

Dazai's endless struggle with dissociation and self-harm, the way he stood in the rain unmoving at the thought of MC returning home to the modern era. Whether to numb himself from the pain of that grief/loneliness, or perhaps more likely the self-immolation of subjecting himself to the re-enactment of the most harrowing moment of his life. To relive that anguish as a reminder; to abstain from making the same mistake ever again. Jeanne's endless bodily tension, struggles with basic self-care (appears to be interoception-based; reduced signalling of the need to eat/rest/etc.), and self-isolation to cope in a world where only the strong survive. Never safe, always alone, always defensive.

I think, for many people in general but especially people who have been through intense PTSD/CPTSD/etc., it can be hard to express these feelings directly. Whether they are forcibly silenced, ridiculed into self-derision/self-concealment, or are overwhelmed by emotions that are difficult to process--each manifests itself in unconventional ways. It means a lot to me when those phenomena are portrayed so sensitively in written works/media, that they're explored with real intention and narrative subtlety to communicate how hard it is for people who are wounded or simply different (or both, as often is the case).

Addendum:

Even more than that, and this is an observation at the end of Dazai's route, is Comte's open belief that life is something to be cherished. Of course, like any other person he has behaviors he won't abide and people he doesn't feel partial to, but by and large he doesn't take life lightly. Perhaps that's why he doesn't expect Dazai to resort to such measures again, in conjunction with the circumstances of his transition. From an outsider perspective, I could see how Comte might assume Dazai no longer wishes for that if he seemed to regret his initial course of action by seeking resurrection. There is also the implication that Dazai is always at war with himself, and therefore might give contradictory impressions; one moment he wants to live, the next he doesn't. This is precisely what led him to ask Charles for help to subdue his own 'cowardice.' (His terms, not mine. [bonks him]) There is a sizeable subset of s-word survivors who, after recovery, feel that their problems were actually solvable despite their despair in the moment.

Of course, that doesn't apply to everyone, but I think there's something to be said of Comte feeling such real affection for the mansion boys that he is stricken to find out what Dazai attempted. And perhaps unsurprisingly, very adamant to keep him from ever pursuing such a course of action again. He's incredibly vulnerable about his horror that he might have inflicted something on Dazai that he never wanted in bringing him back, though Dazai comfortably refutes any lack of agency in the situation.

I guess I feel very compelled by the duality inherent in Comte's glass heart, precisely because of how realistic it feels. His greatest strength is his sensitivity, but it's also his greatest weakness in tandem. His genuine care for Dazai--the unwavering belief that his life is valuable and worthy--ends up being the reason he doesn't anticipate Dazai's rather deeply entrenched self-loathing. And to be honest, I'm a bit inclined to agree; looking back on a third reading Dazai feels way too hard on himself. It feels like the young girl's death was more a catalyst for what Dazai was already feeling, than anything. Dazai wanted so badly to have a reason to despise himself (as he already disliked how different and out of place he naturally felt) and with this, his self-reproach could have a viable, rational explanation. A locus outside of his body by which to rationalize his self-hatred. Accident or not becomes irrelevant; he was involved, and thus he is guilty.

He reminds me a lot of that post that was circulating once about how cultish behavior inculcates intelligent people with more devastating pull than one might expect, because intelligent people can more easily and more insistently find ways to desperately rationalize their situation to function in that whirlpool of abuse. Dazai feels like he's in this same such Catch-22, so busy believing he deserves to be scorned (because of how well he hides his perceived abnormalities) that he takes steps to ensure and reinforce it. He wants and needs to see his reality make sense, and if it won't answer his designs he will find a way to make it so.

It fascinates me because Dazai is an incredibly complex example of someone who desires control, but instead of inflicting it with external rapacity, he targets his own internal state. I once heard a Buddhist explain: yes, it is a sign of disturbance to engage with others aggressively and without grace. However, it is also a sign of disturbance when the mind seeks to harm one's own body. Although Dazai's disturbance is not as apparent, it is there. And that's part of what makes him so excruciatingly compelling to me, in a lot of ways he is the manifestation of the Sisyphean suffering of being ill in a quiet way. In enduring and smiling and laughing because you don't want to burden others--or know you're not allowed to--all while you slowly bleed from the inside out.

[rosebloodcat]

Weirn Wally AU: Lacking Lies

Ao3 Link

Wally felt an itch at the back of his neck.

Someone was watching him.

He had a fairly good idea of who it was too. In hindsight, he really should have expected it.

Canceling the picnic with Julie and Frank suddenly would have raised some confusion, even if "not feeling well" was a perfectly reasonable excuse. That shadow from two nights ago had been stronger than he was used to in the hamlet.

It had laid him out pretty well, he was still smarting from the shot it managed to land on his side.

He hadn't had the magic to spare to make himself look like a puppet and join them at the flower fields the next morning for the picnic. He hadn't even had the energy to leave the house. Claiming that he thought he’d caught a day cold of some kind should have been a perfectly reasonable excuse. Nothing that should have been given more than a second thought when they saw him out and about the next day.

So, Frank's unusually intense stare on his back was worrying.

Wally ran through his mental notes, still keeping part of his concentration on his disguise while meandering toward the bodega. (The last thing he needed was to lose his hold on that in the middle of town. Aching side or not.)

Had he slipped somewhere and Frank had seen something? 

He had made sure to slip out long after dark. Dressed in clothes that didn't resemble his day-to-day wear. Got back before sunrise, wrapped up the few injuries he'd gotten while fighting, and grabbed enough sleep to drag himself out of bed to call Frank and Julie at a reasonable hour to avoid suspicion.

He had all his bases covered, from what he could remember. Why was Frank watching him so intently?

He let out a quiet huff. He was overthinking this.

Frank was probably just keeping an eye on him because he’d said he was sick. Wally would probably do the same thing if he heard one of his neighbors had suddenly fallen ill and canceled an event like that.

He gave his head a small shake to banish the worry, waving idly at Howdy as he stepped inside the bodega and headed for the store section he knew had what he was after. He’d made sure to read up on some new facts for this shopping trip, he really didn’t have a head for jokes today.

Assorted Vegetables, mustard seed, basil, garlic…

He looked up and the shelf Howdy had stocked the cooking oils on, fighting back a frown. Why did Howdy always have to stack it so high up? He knew how tall most of his clientele were…

(He wished, not for the first time, that he had picked a taller form for this world. But it was far too late to change it now. Small was what he’d gotten and he just had to live with it.)

He stretched up to grab the cooking oil he was after and winced at the way his side stretched. He let out a quiet, pained breath lowering his arm again. No, he couldn't reach for it with that arm. He tried to switch which arm was holding the basket, only for another twinge to shoot through his side.

Sharp footsteps made him tense as a presence appeared beside him. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Frank's bright yellow sweater vest.

"I believe this was what you were after, Wally?"

The weirn blinked, registering the bottle of oil he'd been reaching for being presented to him. And the quirked unibrow of the cloudy grey puppet holding it.

“Ah… Thank you, Frank. That was the one I was reaching for.” Wally adopted one of his usual, relaxed-looking smiles and took the bottle from his neighbor, carefully dropping it into his basket. That was the last thing on his list. Frank hummed at him and he fought back the urge to squirm under his stare. “Is there something wrong, neighbor?”

“Not exactly,” Frank idly commented, tilting his head slightly. “Julie was rather disappointed about you not being able to make it to our picnic the other day. So, after your call, I suggested rescheduling it for when you were better. If you still want to join us, of course.”

Wally felt some of the tension leave his shoulders, and his smile became more natural. Yes, this felt more in line with what he was used to from Frank. And he did still want to enjoy the picnic with them both.

“Ah, that would be lovely. I felt very bad about not being able to join you, I’d be happy to help plan another.” He shifted slightly, the dull ache in his side making itself known again. “Perhaps next Wednesday would work for you both? I can make something special to bring with me, to make up for missing the last one.”

By then, my side will have healed up.

“Oh? I’m sure Julie would love that. You don’t share your cooking very often.” Wally inclined his head at that, still smiling. He slowly started making his way back to the front of the store, Frank following a pace or two behind him as they continued making small talk.

Their conversation paused as they reached the counter, Wally “paying” for his groceries with some art and painting facts he was reasonably sure Howdy had never heard before. The caterpillar accepted them at the very least, so he considered it a success.

He carefully took the bags from Howdy but was further surprised when Frank took some of them as well. He considered trying to take them from the dower man, but…

It seemed his painkillers were starting to wear off. Which made carrying so many bags on his own rather painful. And there really wasn't any harm in letting Frank help. So he quietly thanked the frowning puppet and led the way outside and to his house.

The walk was quiet, but it wasn't uncomfortable (that Wally could tell). 

It was one of the things he’d always liked about Frank, even if it didn't happen very often. It was nice to just enjoy the quiet with someone on occasion.

“Wally?” Frank asked idly. The weirn let out an acknowledging hum, not feeling like breaking his own silence yet. “May I ask something of you?”

The edge of his mouth twitched at that. Oh, when was the last time he’d gotten to use this little joke?

“You have, but please continue.” He heard Frank let out a small huff.

(It wasn’t a good joke, he knew. But it usually got a few amused chuckles when he pulled it out.)

“Next time you have to cancel, please don't lie about why you can't join us,” Frank said, a tinge of irritation in his tone. Wally stopped dead in his tracks, turning sharply to face his neighbor.

“What… What do you mean by that, neighbor?” Frank's brow tilted at him, his expression thoroughly unimpressed.

“Wally, you canceled the picnic because you’ve hurt yourself,” was the dark-haired puppet’s response. His smile tightened at that.

“That’s silly, Frank. Why would you think-”

“Wally, you're limping.” Frank cut in with an exasperated sigh.

Now that it had been pointed out, Wally became hyper-aware of the state he was in.

Yes, he was in his usual clothes but he was favoring one side over the other as he moved (especially now that the medication was wearing off). And his clothes weren't as neat and clean as he usually preferred, the pompadour he always had his hair was messier than normal a few loose hairs falling into his line of sight. His eyes itched in the way that said he probably had some shadows under them, likely from the rough sleep due to his side before he’d had to drag himself out of bed to make the call…

Okay, now that Frank had said something he could see how easily his lie would have fallen apart once the detail-oriented puppet saw him. Everything would quickly add up to something being wrong.

(He wanted to smack himself, how had he missed this?! It was his own body, for pity’s sake!)

“Ah…” His smile turned a bit more sheepish while he mentally scrambled for a reasonable explanation that Frank would accept. What could he tell him that would make sense?

Frank sighed at him, seeming to not notice the subtle panic Wally was dealing with.

“Next time, just tell me the truth. I can understand that you don't want to worry Julie but I would appreciate a little more honesty from you.” He gave Wally another searching look and he struggled to not fidget. “How did you even hurt yourself in the first place? Were you trying to move furniture around by yourself?”

Wally latched onto the excuse the moment Frank said it.

“Uh, yes… I wanted to move my bookshelf. I thought I emptied it before I started trying to move it, but I missed a few books at the top and…”

“And they fell on you.” Frank finished, nodding along.

“Yes. I didn't want to worry anyone, so I didn't say anything about it. It’s a bit sore, but nothing really bad.” Wally assured, trying to sound more genuine than he knew he was being.

Frank sighed in that exasperated but somehow fond way he always did about his neighbors. The sort that said he wasn't mad at them, just disappointed that they hadn't thought something through.

(He used that sigh with Julie a lot. And Howdy. It was also distinctly different from the sigh he let out over things that Eddie did. Or the one he used for Poppy worrying over silly things.)

“Of course you did. Next time you should just ask for help, Wally. I'm sure Eddie or Barnaby or Howdy would have been happy to help if you’d asked. They’re certainly strong enough to move a bookshelf without too much trouble.” He side-eyed the small artist for a moment, and Wally fought back the urge to wriggle. “And they’re tall enough to see if any books had been missed.”

Wally smiled sheepishly at the look, even as the usual weight of discomfort settled in his stomach at having to lie to his neighbor. (It was a familiar feeling. One he’d gotten very good at ignoring over the years.)

“Well, I hope your side heals up soon. I'd imagine it's quite annoying.” Wally nodded at that. It certainly was.

The rest of their walk was spent in silence until they reached home and Frank handed off the bags he was carrying to Wally. He knew that Wally was particular about putting things away on his own, so there was no point in offering to help with it. The weirn gave a quiet thank you, after which Frank wrangled a promise to call if he needed anything while he was healing. Which Wally gave with little fuss.

(He wouldn't, he could handle himself just fine. But hearing Wally say that he would do that would settle the man’s nerves, so he still said it. (Not a true Promise, just an assurance that he would call in the future.))

The two finally parted ways with the click of a door, and Wally finally let out a breath of relief and let go of his spell once he was sure Frank was far enough to not see him.

He let himself slump against the front door for a moment, just breathing slowly.

A lamp nearby rattled and he felt the familiar ghostly feeling worryconcernquestion brushed against the edge of his mind.

“I'm fine, just sore from the medication wearing off. I need to take another dose soon.” He pushed off the door and slowly made his way to the kitchen to put away his groceries. He could take another potion once everything was in the correct cabinets. Doors opened of their own accord, his astral trying to make everything easier for him.

More feelings drifted over their bond, this time accompanied by a curious tug toward the front door. He inclined his head, smiling gently.

“Ah, it's nothing to worry about. Frank was helping because he noticed I was hurt. I forget how observant he is some days, he definitely thought something was up. I’ll need to be more careful around him for a bit.” He murmured gently, resting his hand against the wall comfortingly. He wished his astral could separate from the house so he could properly brush his hands over him, but the sun was up and their neighbors would notice if “Home” suddenly went still. “It shouldn’t be anything to worry over, I was able to assure him.”

A cupboard door thumped worriedly by his head, more flickers of questionconcernnervous flitting over the bond.

“No, Frank doesn't suspect anything about how I got hurt. He's just being kind and worrying over me. Like good friends do. Like all the people here do. Everything’s fine. I’m sure of it.”

~~~~~

Frank sighed to himself as he walked out of Home’s line of sight, shoulders slumping slightly.

Wally had lied again.

Really, he wasn’t as good at it as he seemed to think he was. Though, admittedly, he was hurting so that probably hadn’t helped him in coming up with a good story to feed Frank to fool him. He supposed it would work for Julie or Barnaby, as they rarely dealt with bookshelves or rearranging them and wouldn’t know that what Wally claimed wasn’t possible.

Some books fell on him, honestly.

He might have believed it if Wally had claimed Home had accidentally knocked something into him while trying to help, but not an accident from trying to move a bookshelf by himself. If that had been what happened, then the books would have fallen on Wally’s head or shoulders or his back, not his side. Not below his arm in a place that would be pulled every time he tried to move or carry things.

No, something else happened to hurt their resident artist. His eyes narrowed in thought, a hand rubbing at his chin.

The question was: What was it?

AN: I've finally finished the first bit of writing for the Weirn Wally AU!! I've had most of this for a while in my docs, but I figured now was as good a time as any to finally post it. I still wanna talk about this au and the fun little details I have on the brain. But it seems like I'm the only one who's interested in the Weirn Books.

I welcome all questions and comments.

[judy1926]

Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier met for the first time in 1939 after a theatrical performance of The Mask of Virtue.

From the first meeting, there was an attraction between the two

After their conversation, Vivien said to one of her friends “This is the man I will marry,” ignoring the fact that she is married and he is also married

After one of Olivier's performances, Vivien visited him in his room, and after chatting a little with a rising actress before she left, she kissed Olivier on the neck shyly and left.

Vivien was attracted to Laurence because of his charm and charisma, according to a biography written about Vivien Leigh Lawrence was attracted to her in a way he had never been to any other woman

Olivier said in Lord Larry: "I couldn't help myself with Vivian, no one could."

"I hated myself for cheating on Jill, but then I had cheated before, but this was something different. This wasn't just lust. This was the love I didn't really ask for but was drawn to."

A year later, a movie brought them together Fire Over England They spent all their time together, but they succumbed to each other's attraction and their secret relationship began

After a period of time, their relationship was secret, and when Vivien played Ophelia on stage in Hamlet, she suffered a brutal bipolar attack. When Laurence Olivier entered the dressing room, Lee suddenly started shouting at him. This incident shook Olivier, as he later described how it was like a switch had been flipped. Lee started yelling at him, then immediately stopped as if nothing had happened. Unfortunately, her illness will get worse.

During their separation in order to expand their professional life, the two exchanged scandalous and romantic letters, dating back to between 1938 and 1939.

After a dispute over my role as Scarlett in the movie Gone with Profit, I was surprised by the difficulty of the work and everyone’s fear of the failure of the assigned project. She wrote to Olivier explaining how she felt. He responded to her You have to be very smart to succeed in your photo career, which is essential for your self-esteem." "…I'm afraid you might become boring. Never for me…but for yourself and because of that for others. It seemed that Olivier's letters were what kept Lee going

After much struggle, the two finally married in 1940

Vivien contracted tuberculosis in 1944 while she was on a trip to South Africa and Olivier was afraid that his wife would die.

“Please, my angel, send me word of what the doctor said, + if I may ask him to send me a report.”

“You are the only person in the world who can make me so hideously selfish love someone else more than I love myself.”

In 1947, Lee's mental state became worse and Olivier's professional life became better.

In 1948, Lee and Olivier went on a six-month tour in Australia and New Zealand to perform and raise money for the theater. Lee's health condition was poor, and severe quarrels occurred between the two due to Lee's sharp fluctuations and Olivier's lack of knowledge of how to deal with her. The strongest quarrel was when Vivien refused to go on stage with Olivier. Because she could not find her shoe, Olivier could not bear her childish behavior and slapped her in the face in front of everyone. She responded to Lee by hitting him on the back hard. However, at the end, the two of them went up on stage with smiles on their faces, but Olivier learned that he lost her in Africa.

Their professional lives were putting a lot of pressure on their relationship and there were constant comparisons, and she was taking the issue seriously and with great fear

The two still wrote letters when apart, but even that romance was beginning to fade

Lee's mental state was devastating for the two

In 1958, I was introduced to Jacques Merivale, who was aware of all his psychological and physical problems. When Olivier found out about this, he asked Jacques to take care of Vivian, and he promised him that.

The instability in their romantic relationship worsened Lee's emotional and mental condition.

By 1960, Vivien was threatening suicide. “Vivien is several thousand miles away, trembling on the brink, even when she sits quietly in her drawing room,” Olivier once said. Olivier and Lee filed for divorce in May 1960. The divorce was finalized later that year and Olivier married again.

Although they were no longer together, Olivier and Vivien continued to write to each other every now and then.

“I want to thank you for understanding all of this for me,” Olivier wrote in a letter to Lee regarding their divorce, according to The Guardian. “You did a noble, brave, beautiful thing, and I'm so sorry, so sorry, because it must have been a hell of a lot for you.”

But she once said to newspaper, “I would rather have a short life with Olivier than a long life without him.”

Her husband, Jack Merivale, left her at home while he went to perform in a play in Eaton Square. When he returned around midnight, he found Lee asleep in bed. Half an hour later, he entered to find her body on the ground. Leigh apparently tried to walk to the bathroom and collapsed due to her lungs filling with fluid, according to Vivien Leigh: A Biography of Anne Edwards.

Merival alerted the Vivien family and then Olivier

He attended and participated in Vivian's funeral even though he was undergoing treatment for prostate cancer

Olivier Merival helped make funeral arrangements and stayed with Lee until her body was removed.

1967 On July 8, Vivien Leigh's death was announced, and all theaters in London's West End turned off their lights for one hour in her honour. A memorial service was held at St Martin-in-the-Fields and Lee's cremated ashes were spread on the lake at her summer home, Tickerage Mill in East Sussex, England.

In a final letter to Vivien just five weeks before her death, Olivier signed, “Sincere love my dear, your Larry.”

In 1989, on July 11, Olivier died of kidney failure

Even after his marriage to Plowright, Olivier held Lee dear in his heart for the rest of his life. It is said that shortly before his death, he found Olivier watching a film starring Lee, with tears in his eyes, “This, this was love,” he said

[gabriel-shutterson]

Yall don’t even KNOW what levels my mental illness went through today. I bought the Vincent charbonneau plushie (last day available!!) and then I went to Barnes and noble and bought the Dracula daily book!!! And then I also bought a Gatsby puzzle and spent a long time putting it together tonight!!! And then I found out there’s an expansion pack to a game (gothlit themed) I already have for Shakespeare so I can finally kill hamlet as griffin invisible man!!!!! I’m being a yapper rn sorry but i literally look like the adhd creature rn

[dykeofmisfortune]

my thing about writing literary analysis papers is that i love Doing them. I love putting together a works cited and i love embedding passages from other thinks who have said smarter things than i have. i love making titles and i live for the moment when i'm about to drop my biggest most original and smartest bomb ass point. i love taking my reader on a journey to see this thing the way i see it. i love it.

i feel like people think of essays as something boring, impartial, and whatnot but i think authorial intent factors so heavily into the way a literary text can be read. the queer student is going to see the queer themes the immigrant student is going to see the themes of generational trauma the masculine student is going to see the exploration of toxic american masculinity the feminine student is going to see the way feminine identity is explored in a particular context. the kid raised catholic might spot the jesus imagery the most. the mentally ill kid might see themselves in hamlet and understand his character's behavior and dialogue way better as a result. just because you can't use i and me in your essays doesn't mean you don't have a perspective.

i think everyone has such unique perspectives on literature, and nobody's reading is better or worse than the others, and if we shifted the way we teach these kids how to write they would become better writers and moreover enjoy writing. i guess my point is that writing is a medium of communication that makes the reader see something in the way the author is presenting it and if we understood that then we could bring a love to analytical writing that has a right to exist for everyone, not just academics and sad english majors.

[whilereadingandwalking]

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell is a beautiful historical fiction novel about a boy who his father, William Shakespeare, made immortal. It's extremely well-written, a fast read, and emotional. Scholars have talked for years about how Shakespeare was impacted by the death of his young son Hamnet, and tried to unpack how the haunted play of Hamlet could be a tribute to his son's ghost. O'Farrell tugs at that question until it becomes a really gorgeous story of the relationships between parents and child, of sickness and death's cruel suddenness, of grief and superstition.

One of my favorite small things about it is that you simply wouldn't need to know anything about Shakespeare to fall into this story and its vivid richness. In fact, at no point does O'Farrell mention his last name, to keep the lens zoomed-in, to keep the story focused on family, parents, marriage, love. I love that O'Farrell made Agnes this witchy outcast, a woman who can read people so deeply, and how it then backfires on her when she doesn't read something quite right. From the very first moment, the book makes it clear what is going to happen, but the story stretches towards and away from that event like a taut guitar string in a way that makes the entire thing sing.

Content warnings for domestic and physical abuse, g-slur, mental illness, miscarriage, death, grief