Summary:
Copenhagen incorporates many references to the Shakespearean play Hamlet, therefore the theme of this play is portrayed with more emphasis. An example of this recurring theme is the reference of the ''darkness inside the human soul'' to the news of Jews being shipped from Denmark ''eastwards'', ''to engulf us all'.
HUMA
MICHAEL FRAYN
COPENHAGEN
The play 'Copenhagen' by Michael Frayn, presents an example of the continuing conflict between science and morals. In this play, the morality and the scientific relevance of the atomic bomb is discussed by two major scientists at the time, Niels Bohr and Heisenberg, who consequently helped create the bomb in one way or another. Heisenberg, in this play, visited Bohr for reasons unknown, yet through their discussions it seems as though Heisenberg turned to Bohr for help with his uncertainty about exposing the atomic bomb to Germany. Throughout the play, many questions arise about what it is that motivated the scientists involved in the creation of the bomb to do what they did. One recursive argument, which is also an underlying theme of the play, is the "darkness inside the human soul".
Copenhagen incorporates many references to the Shakespearean play Hamlet, therefore the theme of this play is portrayed with more emphasis. An example of this recurring theme is the reference of the "darkness inside the human soul" to the news of Jews being shipped from Denmark "eastwards", "to engulf us all" (pg 79). This reference is made because the play Hamlet, took place in Denmark, in Elsinore, where due to the improper actions that had taken place there, it is referred to as a place of evil, where the "darkness inside the human soul" had consumed many people. (pg 59) One of which was the character Hamlet, whose darkness rose above his uncertainty about his situation, consuming him and causing him to take actions which scarred Elsinore, forcing it to ever hold its evil and dark title. "Hamlet had lived there" (pg 30), the fact that Heisenberg commented on this may show that he was aware of Hamlet's uncertainty and his consequences, therefore exposing and reflecting on Heisenberg's uncertainty.
Once again Heisenberg refers to Elsinore, "Every dark corner there reminds us of the darkness inside the human soul..." (pg30). This reference to the "dark corner" shows that if he lets the darkness inside his soul overwhealm his uncertainty, the consequences will be "dark". The structure of the sentence "..." conveys that Heisenberg may be contemplating his uncertainty about his situation and the consequences. He seems to be indecisive throughout the play, as he weighs his dilemmas. Heisenberg, as a German scientist, has an obligation to Germany during the time of war, where the atomic bomb was much needed. Yet Heisenberg also takes into account his moral dilemmas, such as his obligation to humanity, as he knows that the bomb can do considerable damage to whole populated cities. Not only this but Bohr's thoughts on this matter must be important to Heisenberg, as he asks Bohr directly; "Does one as a physicist have the moral right to work on the practical exploitation of atomic energy"" (pg88), this portrays his uncertainty is in the morality of the dark task he has at hand. In weighing all this it seems that he also questions if all this is worth the progression of scientific discovery. Yet one cannot be sure of all this, as we the reader do not know what Heisenberg may have thought, and the dark uncertainty that seems to surround him throughout the play makes our intrepretation of him, and his perspectives, even more unstable.
In Copenhagen, darkness is appointed to the "soul", this is the entity of evil since there is not a specific place, person or act that can be blamed for the rise of the atomic bomb as many scientists contributed, such as Bohr and Heisenberg. Yet one knows that evil and darkness cannot make up the whole soul, therefore some conflict should take place. This is shown within Heisenberg, through his conversations with Bohr and his wife Margerethe, as, in many places, his indecision pivots to a more moral side (as presented above).
In the play (pg 79), Margrethe questions"what will be left", Bohr answers "Darkness, total and final darkness." At times Bohr seems to be a figment of Heisenberg's conscience. He is a vehicle through which Heisenberg can understand why it is that he carried out his actions, (at one point in their conversations) where he must go, "Does one as a physicist have the moral right to work on the practical exploitation of atomic energy"", and what actions he should pursue which will allow him to incorporate morals, making him a well-balanced physicist.
Since the situation of the atomic bomb, and the war that was taking place, was at such a global level, it seems Heisenberg didnt acknowledge that "everthing is personal" (pg73) until his discussion with Margrethe and Bohr took place. By the end of the play, he recognised the effect of his decision could transcend land, communities and time boundaries. As he recognises that his decision could have an affect on relatives, on "our children and our children's children" (pg74), on "The trees in Faelled park", his uncertainty and his dilemmas are solved, as in the end the "darkness inside" his "soul" was been imbalanced "By that final core of uncertainty at the heart" of his situation.
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