Literary Quest

             Girish Karnad's  Hayavadana  is a play about  the story of two friends Devdutta and Kaplia and their love interest Padmini. The main plot is based on the story of transposed heads in the Sanskrit Vetala - Panchavimsati. The subplot Hayavadana, the horse-headed man is Karnad's own invention.             The theme of incompleteness has been presented in the play at three levels. 1.      Divine level includes Lord Ganesha 2.      Human level includes Devadatta, Kapila & Padmini 3.      Animal level includes Hayavadana The chorus Bhagavatha begins the play by worshipping the Elephant-headed Lord Ganesha. He is an embodiment of incompleteness. Bagavatha introduces Devadatta and Kapila as bosom friends. They are complementary to each other: “One Mind, One Heart”, but they are presented as binary opposites. They are socially, psychologically, culturally, economically and educationally poles apart. Devadatta represents the acme of intellect. Kapila represents the ultim

  Polonius’ Advice to His Son Laertes                               -William Shakespeare                               The poem “Polonius Advises Laertes” is an excerpt from William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet . Polonius is chief counsellor to the King Claudius at Danish Court. In Act I, Scene 3, Polonius gives his son Laertes a few pieces of advice. Laertes leaves for France to join a University. As a father, Polonius offers blessings and asks his son to keep his advice in memory. His list of advice comprises moral and ethical elements. Polonius advises his son to think well before speaking and taking action. He asks his son to be friendly but never to cross limits. He tells him to make friends but warns him about false friends. He asks him not to enter into a quarrel if he cannot avoid it. But one has to make the opponent aware of his strength. Polonius advises his son to listen more and speak less. The father asks his son to receive criticism from all but reserves his opinion to h