Perhaps the most quoted line
yet in all Shakespeare’s plays, and the most mind boggling question in life: to
be, or not to be. The line, by nature, opens up life’s most important
questions. It can almost exist in any situation. Thus, its importance as a
vital question in our own soliloquies is blatantly unquestionable. I find it
lamentable that most people nowadays (including myself) rarely make the time to
question their decisions; most decide hastily with little to no thought where
their choice may lead, others, rely on other people’s opinions. Now how does it
[the question] connect to being a student in CNSHS? The answer will become
clearer as it is discussed.
The line in itself exists as an
infinite, formless shot to life: infinite, because of its undeniably ubiquitous
nature, able to be present in any time; and formless, because of its
compatibility to virtually any situation. Because of its formlessness, this
line fits perfectly in a situation I am in, which is studying in Cavite
National Science High School.
Being a Regional Science High
School almost automatically means high standards in everything, be it the
subjects taught or the expectations in every project to be passed. Being a
student here means everything is expected to be top-notch. Pressure is
everywhere; but even so, it all boils down to the response of the student.
Anyone who wishes to not be pressured at all would not be pressured, but will ultimately
cross a forked-road: one, leading to excellence, the other, leading to failure,
where negligence is prominent. The type of people who walk the former path, are
considered here as great (or colloquially, monsters), who are generally carefree
but still people of excellence. Secondly, the type of people who walk the
latter path, are those people who just do not care at all. There are no
forethoughts, there are no regrets; these people are usually those who get jolted
out of this institution.
As a student here, I oftentimes
encounter moments where I catch myself drifting away from reality, my mind
racing and pausing wildly, usually after an incessant surge of disappointments:
failure to meet certain expectations, forgotten homework that is usually done
in a rush, and reproach. And in these moments, I usually find myself in an
imaginary soliloquy. Would I just give into the emotions? Would I not do
anything? Or would I learn the lesson, and keep the past in the books?
Would I be, or would I not be,
the person I always wanted to be?
Perish, or persist? Dream, or
live the dream? Die, or live? Die, or die trying?
To be or not to be:
That is the question.
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