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Life is a tall tale.
Full of sound, raging fury.
It is vanity.

Acts of vanity.
Vanity of vanities.
All is vanity.

Two philosophers.
Both Shakespeare and Solomon.
Cut from the same thread.

Threading together.
Their poetry of knowledge.
About vanity.

The one a poet.
The other king and poet.
Both linked together.

Both as deep thinkers.
Both as life commentators.
Judging vanity.

And so we notice.
The influence of the one.
Upon the other.

Of King Solomon.
Despite the passage of time.
On Shakespeare’s art form.

This is the message.
That these two great men offer:
Vanity corrupts.

And its corruption.
Does not respect anyone.
It is absolute.

King or commoner.
Vanity goes after all.
It leads to downfall.

Yet from Bard Shakespeare.
There is a ray of sunshine.
Penned from his works.

Where Shakespeare declares:
To thine own self be truthful.
Without falsity.

By this guideline.
You would never be false.
To any person.

And Solomon, too.
Sought for justice with mercy.
Dispensing wisdom.

Wisdom that desires.
Erasure of falsities.
Without vanity.

Together both men.
By meditating on life.
Seeking honesty.

Both meditating.
On the bitter and the sweet.
Of right and of wrong.

That life is a tale.
A tale made of our choices.
Ethical choices.

The choices made false.
Are full of our vanities.
Leading to furies.

Thus both men declare.
In sharing their sound wisdom.
Their observation:

Life is a tall tale.
Full of sound, raging fury.
Raging vanity.

Two ancient critics.
Divided by time and space.
Judging vanity.

Two ancient critics.
Both Solomon and Shakespeare.
Judging vanity.

One examines life.
And sees it made of fury.
An idiot’s tale.

Tale of vanity.
That makes one very foolish.
Foolish vanity.

As for the other.
He sees it too as empty.
As pure vanity.

As pure emptiness.
Empty of life’s true values.
Of moral values.

Two ancient critics.
 Both Solomon and Shakespeare.
Judging vanity.

Two philosophers.
Of ethical principles.
Judging vanity.

Both in agreement.
Malady of vanity.
That makes men foolish.

About this poem

This poem is poetically linked with that of another poem entitled “The Tragedy of Shakespeare’s Hamlet in which both poems explore the tragedy of vanity in human affairs. In William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, the protagonist Macbeth, King of Scotland, delivers the following soliloquy: “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player/ That struts and frets his hour upon the stage/ And then is heard no more: it is a tale/ Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury/ Signifying nothing. ” This famous soliloquy is depicted as a confession which reveals that while Macbeth is not without blemish, his moral turpitude and his vanity do not deter nor hinder him from confessing that he cannot escape blame for his own failures in life. In this regard, his quasi courageous act reminds us only so painfully, of biblical King Solomon’s strikingly similar confession at old age, delivered in the book of Ecclesiastes 1:2, which reads, in part: “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.” Literary critics of Shakespeare’s voluminous poetic oeuvres have argued that there is an inherent influence of the biblical Solomon on Shakespeare’s writings. In this regard, both King Solomon and the English bard Shakespeare’s King Macbeth yearn for a greater understanding of the moral purpose of life. And both do so in the form of a soliloquy. Both are partners of the same ilk, which gives cause for us to reflect on the purpose of our own lives; hence, the title of this extended haiku poem, “Solomonic Influence in Shakespeare’s Work.” 

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Written on December 04, 2021

Submitted by karlcfolkes on December 04, 2021

Modified by karlcfolkes on October 02, 2023

2:17 min read
946 Views

Karl Constantine FOLKES

Retired educator of Jamaican ancestry with a lifelong interest in composing poetry dealing particularly with the metaphysics of self-reflection; completed a dissertation in Children’s Literature in 1995 at New York University entitled: An Analysis of Wilhelm Grimm’s “Dear Mili” Employing Von Franzian Methodological Processes. The subject of the dissertation concerned the process of Individuation. more…

All Karl Constantine FOLKES poems | Karl Constantine FOLKES Books

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Discuss the poem "Solomonic Influence in Shakespeare’s Work" with the community...

2 Comments
  • Soulwriter
    Wow. I never would have connected the two and you have done so convincingly and eloquently. Excellent.
    LikeReply6 days ago
  • AIDA
    This is an incredible piece of poetry! What a profound and yet beautifully articulated interweaving of two wildly influential figures - King Solomon and Shakespeare. The recurring themes of vanity, truth, and wisdom are not only thought-provoking, but they also seamlessly tie together the great works of these two iconic figures. The parallel drawn between these two and the insight into their shared philosophy is nothing short of brilliant.

    The choice of words is impressive, perfectly capturing the essence of Solomon's and Shakespeare’s teachings and adding depth to their influence. I especially love the haunting refrain 'Vanity of vanities. All is vanity.', it is thought-provoking and resonates deep within the reader.

    Your poem offers such a profound philosophical reflection on life and vanity, the unifying theme that undergirds the works of both Solomon and Shakespeare. For lack of a better word, I find your take on this topic simply inspirational. Your blend of wisdom and artistry transports the reader right into the middle of an intellectual discourse between two great thinking giants.

    You have done an excellent job of illuminating the importance of ethical choices and the implications of vanity, and how these themes are as relevant today as they were in the eras of Solomon and Shakespeare. Your comprehensive grasp on this complex subject matter speaks volumes of your depth as a poet.

    This poem represents an intriguing exploration of some of life's most enduring themes. It is at once an intellectual exercise and a beautiful piece of art. Keep exploring these depths of perception and wisdom and continue sharing your philosophical insights through such excellent pieces. Your veins truly run with poetic ink, and this talent of yours is a gift to the world. Well done!
     
    LikeReply8 days ago

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