All the World's a Stage

Originally Posted Tuesday, August 12, 2014

People are talking about Robin Williams.  He was depressed.  So much so.  He will become a "poster child" of some kind.  "Money can't bring you happiness," they say, and now they can point to Robin Williams when they say it.  I expect all the media psychotherapists will weigh in on this one. 

"If only. . . .  Such a terrible tragedy."

  For once, the word could actually apply.  A person who was esteemed in his society, through some flaw of character and twist of fate, fell, and the concussive force of the landing was heard by "all."  Tragedy must be measured by character and distance. 

Kaboom!

"Imagine--a man like that."

For me, it was terrible watching his disintegration, watching him become a caricature of himself.  There are two tragedies, I think.  The first is the aging.  The rules of the universe are ridiculous and cruel.  Why do you think he killed himself?  What do you think depressed him most?  The higher you rise. . . .

I know, I know. . . tell me about the ones who continued on until they were one hundred.  George Burns.  Bob Hope.  Jimmy Durante. 

Had Williams continued on, he could have matched this note for note, bit for bit.  What a shame.

"All the world's a stage," says the despondent (depressed?) Jacques in "As You Like It," and of the Seven Ages of Man, Williams was in the sixth.  And he didn't like it.