Performance and authentic expression : the soliloquies in William Shakespeare’s Hamlet

In William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, soliloquies portray a solitary character in midst of a private struggle, voicing emotions and thoughts about the human condition. They throw light on Shakespeare’s prowess in representing the human being; what Harold Bloom calls Shakespeare’s ‘invention of the human’ and what Samuel Johnson refers to as Shakespeare’s chief skill in presenting ‘a map of life.’ And yet, this suggestion constitutes a paradox: soliloquies – which constitute the most contrived speeches in drama – have been accepted as being authentic expressions of human emotions and forming part of faithful representations of the human being. This paper examines the different soliloquies in Hamlet, taking into consideration their power to reveal a character’s emotions. The relation between the audience and the soliloquists is also addressed, especially in relation to the question of whether a soliloquy should be regarded as a private and authentic expression of emotions or as a calculated performance which the character stages intentionally knowing that he is being heard by an audience. The paper also discusses Hamlet’s attempts to introspect about his feelings through the language of theatre and performance, as well as his interest in theatricality and its power to provoke an emotional response.peer-reviewe

One World, one home, one heart : the theme for World Heart Day

World Heart Day was created in 2000 to inform people around the world that heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.3 million lives each year. In Malta, ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death accounting for 21% of all deaths. In 2010, there were 319 male deaths and 328 female deaths, a decrease of 47 male deaths and an increase of 19 female deaths over the previous year. In partnership with WHO, the World Heart Federation organizes awareness events in more than 100 countries. These events vary from one country to another and include free health checks, organized walks, runs and fitness sessions, public talks, scientific forums, exhibitions, concerts, carnivals and sports tournaments. The World Heart Day takes place on 29 September each year. This year the theme is One World, One Home, One Heart focusing on women and children.peer-reviewe

Methane (CH₄) flux data for Moidach More. Years 1997 - 1998

Methane (CH4) emission data collected from an extensive pristine portion of raised peat bog located in Moidach More, Morayshire, northeast Scotland (UK). CH4 flux was measured using static chambers, which were sampled on a weekly (late spring to early autumn) to monthly basis (late autumn to early spring), starting in May 1997

A strategy for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases in Malta

One of the Maltese Government's objectives in improving the health status of the population is 'To add health to life by increasing years lived free from ill-health, reducing or minimising the adverse effects of illness and disability, promoting healthy lifestyles, healthy physical and social environments and overall, improving quality of life'peer-reviewe

Physical activity and mental well-being

There is increasing research into the relationship between physical activity and mental health. Evidence shows that for adults at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity on most days of the week can improve mood and decrease anxiety and stress and improved self-perception. Physical activity is also thought to have a role in preventing serious mental illness such as depression.peer-reviewe

Stroke prevention

Strokes are sudden and have an immediate effect. They are a leading cause of long term disability in adults. In 2010, strokes accounted for 8.7% of total deaths in Malta. In addition there were six hundred and fifteen discharged cases of stroke in Malta and Gozo in the year 2011. Stroke is also the second leading cause of death in the Western world after ischaemic heart disease, with an exponential increase in its occurrence with increasing age.peer-reviewe

Smoking cessation : role of health care providers

It is evident that tobacco use can lead to nicotine dependence and serious health problems. It is equally evident that cessation can significantly reduce the risk of suffering from smoking related diseases. Total cessation is the only intervention with the potential to reduce tobacco-related mortality in the short- and medium-term, whilst a reduction in consumption has a limited effect. Some smokers quit without using evidence-based cessation treatments. However, there are treatments that have been proven to be effective for smokers who want help to quit. Simple advice from a physician has been shown to increase abstinence rates significantly compared to no advice.peer-reviewe

World diabetes day

It is estimated that at least 347 million people worldwide have diabetes. In 2004, an estimated 3.4 million people died from consequences of fasting high blood sugar. A similar number of deaths have been estimated for 2010. The published data for Malta through the International Diabetes Federation’s Diabetes Atlas estimate that the diabetes prevalence in Malta is 9.8% of the adult population, representing 29,900 people. The atlas forecasts a rise in prevalence to 11.6% of the adult population, representing 36,600 people by 2025.peer-reviewe

Minimising your risk of cancer : World Cancer Day

Cancer is a leading cause of death around the world. WHO estimated that 64 million people will die of cancer between 2005 and 2015 (without intervention). Each year on 4 February, WHO supports the International Union Against Cancer to promote ways to ease the global burden of cancer. Obviously, preventing cancer and raising quality of life for cancer patients are recurring themes. Local data from 1996-2008 show that there are increasing trends in incidence when alI cancers are included together, for both genders. There were 401.2 new cases per 100,000 people during 2008. However the overall age-standardised-rate remains below the European average rate.peer-reviewe