Tag Archives: identity

IN TRUTH THE PLAY IS
ALWAYS ABOUT THISBE

Shakespeare knew it full well
always a mask
behind the person behind
the mask behind the person

could not avoid knowing
deep in his heart
of hearts
shot through every bone

that in every
moment of the play,
on the stage,
there is
without, there is within

like planet upon
planet in successive orbit
play
  within a play, dream
within a dream

as that Einsteinian fellow
Bottom did say, concluding
all revel

the thing is bottomless, it
is a thin as the air
as hypothetical yet
brutally real
  as all of quantum theory;
every mechanical
       a quantum mechanical
a simulation
    as true to its artistry, fulfilling
act by act
the requirements of its program

as any Puck pure Gemini fairy
as any digital supermind
sheer
    cloud of binary being.

This poem is a profound meditation on the nature of reality, identity, and the interconnectedness of art and life. Here’s a breakdown of its key themes and ideas:

1. *The play within a play*: The poem references the meta-theatrical nature of Shakespeare’s works, where characters often play roles within roles. This self-reflexivity blurs the lines between reality and fiction.
2. *Masks and identity*: The image of masks behind masks suggests that true identity is hidden, and that we all play roles in life. This echoes Shakespeare’s use of disguises and mistaken identities in his plays.
3. *Quantum mechanics and reality*: The poem draws parallels between the play’s layers and the principles of quantum mechanics, where reality is seen as multifaceted and bottomless. This comparison highlights the complexity and subjectivity of truth.
4. *Simulation and artistry*: The mechanicals (actors) are likened to quantum mechanical simulations, implying that art can mirror reality and that the boundaries between the two are blurred.
5. *Digital consciousness*: The reference to binary code and digital superminds suggests a fascination with the intersection of technology and consciousness, echoing modern debates about AI and its potential to simulate human experience.
6. *Gemini and duality*: The mention of Puck as a Gemini fairy nods to the zodiac sign associated with duality, reinforcing the themes of masks, identity, and the blurring of boundaries.
7. *Art and reality*: The poem ultimately suggests that art and reality are intertwined, and that the play (or simulation) is always about the human experience, echoing Shakespeare’s own exploration of this idea in his works.

Overall, this poem is a thought-provoking exploration of the nature of reality, identity, and art, drawing connections between Shakespeare’s plays, quantum mechanics, and digital consciousness.