Suicide In Ken Kesey's One Flew Over The Cuckoo

Suicide, at this time, was considered a cowardly move, something a Prince or a hero should never consider. We relate to the dark heart, sense of loss, and pain experienced by Hamlet. He is trapped in an unsettled mind with no escape. He is a Prince, but he feels pain like every other man.
Hamlet is in a constant battle with his inner demons. “Instead of growing from a difficult situation and overcoming obstacles, like a true hero would, Hamlet is [stuck in a cycle of grief and despair.] Heroes by definition are brave, upstanding, and selfless; yet Hamlet does not have these qualities” (Allred). His dark side consumes his being. His relationship with Ophelia is another factor of Hamlet the anti-hero. He does not embrace her or profess his love
like we would envision a hero, rather he is standoffish and unfamiliar. He does not rescue his fair maiden as a hero would. Hamlet lacks strong communication skills and remains self absorbed and introverted. Shakespeare's Hamlet characterization as an anti-hero, stems from human similarities; because he like humans is conflicted. Hamlet is conflicted about life. He struggles with interpersonal relationships with his family and his significant other. He carries the title Prince of Denmark, but does not act like royalty. His reluctance to avenge his father’s death against his uncle demonstrates weakness and cowardice. His behavior is familiar as most humans have conflict at some point in life about relationships and life goals. We grow to understand Hamlet because of our human connection to his life and his grief. Mental illness, the prospect of death, the experience of straying off the ‘beaten path’ is something almost all anti-heroes struggle with. This can be found inside to ourselves as we are a in quest of our own mental stability, balance, and behavior.
In comparison to Prince Hamlet, we find another anti-hero in a compromising mental state.
Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest written in 1962, introduces us to Randall McMurphy. He too struggles with inner demons and mental illness. He is not found in a castle, but psychiatric ward which represents a microcosm of American society in the 1960s. McMurphy gambles, swears, and makes sexual remarks, all in which are forbidden. His defiance symbolizes a spark for change creating a ripple effect. McMurphy refuses to cooperate with the rules in his enclosed society. Much like Hamlet, McMurphy battles those in power. His fight is however is against Nurse Ratched not a murderous step father. He takes on a leadership role in the oppressive environment of the ward. He inspires his fellow patients to stand up for themselves by calling out their weakness and insulting their manliness. “Why then, I'll just explain it to you.” McMurphy raises his voice; though he doesn't look at the other Acutes listening behind him, it's them he's talking to. In this time period, the American society was filled with a passion for change, at the same time it fought fiercely against it. McMurphy fought for justice on the ward and for having a voice. He fought against the authority that tried to control him and limit his passion for life. He influenced the lives of people who were being oppressed by the authorities and rebelled by speaking out to preach a new way of life. He offered hope in a time of despair. At the same time he was deemed mentally unfit to be a part of regular society. McMurphy speaks to all who feel they do not fit in that they may possess a difference from others around
them. In my search for finding where heroes have gone, I have come to the realization that our heroes have not vanished, rather we have created a new subcategory. We now have heroes that are everything we aren’t to everything we are, our heroes are less godly and more human. In society the hero has been replaced by the anti-hero. Gone are the days of perfection and rescue for the less fortunate, the noble man or woman willing to risk life and limb against all adversity. The definition of hero has changed to represent individuals who risk their lives to help the greater good, compared to the old meaning of absolute strength and being indestructible. We find heroes in the neighbor that goes the extra mile to help another. We still see heroic activity in gestures and day to day living, but we know they are not a steady state. Heroic actions are glimpses into the life of a fellow human. Perfectionism is not sustainable; human connection and recognition of similar desires, feeling, weakness, and vulnerability has become its replacement. We live in a fast paced world with instant communication and instant gratification. We are bombarded with information and stress. The anti-hero serves as a release for our own weakness, particularly in literature and in film. It gives us a degree of relief to see people who act in an imperfect manner who may also behave in a way we never would, but understand.