“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” (Hamlet act 1, sc. 5)
Tips for use. Evasive answer to questions of the type, ‘Why this?’ or ‘Why did you do this?’ when you do not want to give a reason. Perfect during a presentation as an answer to a question that may be embarrassing or deal with confidential information. Change ‘Horatio’ to name of party you are talking to, if available. You may get a laugh from the audience were you to say, “There are more things in heaven and earth, Mr. Caruthers, than are dreamt in our philosophy. Good even in a job interview when after intensive pressure, you cannot find a satisfactory answer.
However, this is the unpublicized but widely used government response to the citizen who would have the gall of wanting to know what the said government does behind the citizens’ back, such as wars, assassinations, printing money to be given to banks and sundry shysters. No, says the government, there are more things in heaven and earth, citizen, than are dreamt in your philosophy. In other words it’s not that I do not want to tell you but if I did you wouldn’t understand. That there should be so much secrecy in a democracy (two words that even rhyme) makes – one would think – democracy suspect. And it explains the particular bitterness and hatred towards Julian Assange and his Wikileaks. Wikileaks, after all, has only shown us what we already suspected – the high level mendacity and double dealing of a ‘democratic’ government. Demonstrating simultaneously the supreme importance of the Ministry of Truth – yes, Orwell could rightly turn in his grave.
If you like this website why not subscribe (see last menu item to the right)? You will get automatically any new blog as well as any other information and novelty that will be forthcoming, including a system to effortlessly (yes) remember hundreds of Shakespearean quotes by heart while having fun in the process. You can also chat with me – please go to the chat-page. And I promise, no sales calls, trade leads, venomous schemes, hidden plots, Machiavellian conspiracies, commercial ploys, psychological tricks, leads exchanges, barter proposals, suggestions or offers of any kind imaginable (and unimaginable).
In the play. Hamlet, returning from the conversation with the Ghost, hints (to Horatio) at the reality of metaphysical phenomena.
Image Source: http://ocw.nd.edu/philosophy