discuss this theme in relation to Plato’s Republic, by choosing three instances by which Plato’s prescription for a perfectly just state results in either “collateral damage” or “immense harm”.

The character of Hamlet has been viewed as one of the greatest enigmas of modern literature. Here, Shakespeare has created the figure of the young, tormented son of King Hamlet who is compelled by the murdered King’s ghost to avenge his death. The supposed murderer is none other than his father’s brother and Hamlet’s uncle, Claudius, who then follows this would-be murder with a speedy marriage to the King’s widow and Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude. Much of the play centers around Hamlet’s thoughts, plans and efforts to kill his uncle and avenge his father’s unjust murder. The legal scholar Kenji Yoshino concludes that Hamlet is an “intellectual” who not only wants justice but “perfect justice”, as witnessed by the fact that he could have killed his uncle early in the play, and yet continues to delay his vengeance until the perfect setting and death can be created. While he does eventually get his “justice” towards Claudius, Yoshino argues that”…he (Hamlet) inflicts so much collateral damage in the process that his actions are ultimately unjustifiable.” In fact, he goes on to suggest that:

“On the one hand, the critical distance that intellectuals have from the world allows us to imagine idealized forms of justice. On the other hand, when we cling too tightly to those ideals, we dissociate from reality…It is also that when human beings are perfectionists about justice, we risk doing immense harm.”(Yoshino, 186)

In a thoughful essay, discuss this theme in relation to Plato’s Republic, by choosing three instances by which Plato’s prescription for a perfectly just state results in either “collateral damage” or “immense harm”. Here, you are to analyze these passages closely, discuss the nature and ramifications of their implementation and why you think they’d be harmful and/or damaging. In an effort to strengthen your argument, please use scenes from Hamlet to further advance your argument, when appropriate.

Papers are to be double spaced and all textual passages are to be cited in the following way: (Plato, Book__, 429 or whatever side bar is appropriate.) NO OUTSIDE SOURCES. You will only use The Republic by Plato and Hamlet as outside sources and references.