Republic of Fear: A Passive and Active Nihilism in Forget Hamlet by Jawad Al_Assadi
جمهورية الخوف: العدمية السلبية و العدمية الإيجابية في” انسوا هاملت “لجواد الأسدي
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61710/v10/i3/s30Keywords:
Despotism, Hamlet, passive and active nihilism, resistance, Iraqi theatreAbstract
Written in the shadow of pre-2003 Iraq, an ambiance marred by despair, fear and despotism, the play Forget Hamlet by Jawad Al-Assadi is an examination of Iraqis' spirit response to persecution. This study probes into how the play reflects two correlated yet distinct paths of grappling with the oppression perpetrated by an autocratic regime. Passive nihilism, as portrayed in the play, refers to a condition where characters succumb to the credo that life lacks essential meaning. Within this orientation people do not take action to shape their own life and accept whatsoever system is inflicted upon them. Following this line of framework, characters in the play namely (Hamlet and Polonius) succumb themselves to fate passively. On the other hand, active nihilism refers to a more defiant position. Characters who stand for this framework (Laertes and Ophelia) identifying the lack of meaning in life but choose to mold their own paths. This form of nihilism is represented as a way of resistance and liberation.
The study, likewise, probes into the psychological and social sways of living under dictatorial regime, where passive nihilism can lead to submission, active nihilism offers a path to empowerment and change. The study compares these two paths of grappling with the pre-2003 Iraq. Thus, Al-Assadi reflects on the means by which people may overcome the nihilistic void engendered by dictatorship and at the same time it is a call to act to show resilience in the face of adversity.
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