To be O’NOTO be, that is the question!
400 years ago, the Bard had a vision. In his play “The Tragedies of Hamlet”, he made his vision clear and tried to foretell the arriving of ONOTO. However, this famous quote “To be O’NOTO be” had never been edited correctly by many printers, who did not really understand Shakespeare’s vision… until the birth of ONOTO.
Of course, we made it up.
“To be or not to be”, is the ultimate existential question posed in Prince Hamlet’s iconic soliloquy. There are countless interpretations of the play. Most lament Hamlet’s indecisiveness and turn him into a tragic antagonist, others celebrate his spiritual enlightenment as the hero who overcomes his melancholy and completes his duties on earth with good morals intact.
It’s probably best that we leave the interpretation of Hamlet’s character to yourself. Nevertheless, with the old saying “you become what you think about”, it is likely that whatever you interpret, you see it a lot in yourself, perhaps.
Black and white. Or is it?
The play’s universal appeal and versatile interpretations are testament to its emotional depth and complexity. Life is not black and white after all. And our mortality may have something to do with it.
Death permeates Hamlet right from the opening scene, where the ghost of Hamlet’s father asks his son to avenge him. As soon as the ghost disappears, however, Hamlet starts to doubt its truthfulness. Plunged into despair and depression, he contemplates suicide and goes into over analysing every action that he takes.
Shakespeare brilliantly portrays the inner thoughts of a tortured mind. And that’s a feeling we can all relate to at times. However, may Hamlet’s over thinking be a warning to us all?
The Hamlet Pen
We would like to present you the ultimate pen that pays tribute to the Bard, and his famous character Hamlet, the Prince of Denmark, available in a limited edition of 100.
The design of this Hamlet pen is centred around the “skull”. The pattern on the sterling silver cap band is based on the decoration from the Hamlet First folio (1623), with an added twist to incorporate the crowned skulls, reference to the themes of death and skull imagery in the play.
The black and white pinstripes were artfully chosen to remind the pen’s owner that life may not be black and white but it sure helps us act faster if at times we perceive it as such.
On you go, don’t overthink it.
Get it now.
