Life is an Act

Disclaimer: I wrote this piece for an acting class of a friend of mine, when she asked me for some last minute help! But I liked what I wrote, so posting it here. Enjoy!

I think it was Shakespeare who said, the whole world is a stage, and we’re all mere actors in the play, directed by some higher power, some force. I’ll take that a bit further and say that not only are we in a play, it almost feels like we’re all puppets in a show, and there’s a hand, of fate I think, which is controlling our strings, making us dance to a tune which we neither understand, nor can clearly hear. We just move, unable to decide what to do, when to do it. All we have to do is to move according to where the strings lead us, and obediently play the roles in our life that have been pre-decided for us.

We all go through our lives playing different roles, and not even realizing that we’re playing different parts. We’re friends, family, guides, supporters, leaders, liars, promoters, believers, lovers, haters, fakers, consolers, workers...and many many more. From morning to evening, I play different parts of the bigger play, and not even realize how inconsequential my movements really are.

I start my day as a liar. Isn’t it lying when I open my eyes and wish that this day will bring something new to my life? Isn’t it superficial to hope for something which I know wouldn’t happen. When the first flicker of hope sparks in my mind, it’s the lie of ignorance which keeps it alight.

The day goes on, the hand up there decides to jiggle a few new moves. Unexpected happenings, new emotions. I’m now a supporter, a consoler, for a friend who has just realized that her ex-boyfriend does not love her anymore, and there is no chance of ever getting back with him. I want to be there for my friend, I want her to feel protected and loved, I want her to know that her life has not finished here, that this is just a phase and the next one will be better. I forget all about my other roles, and in that moment my only reality lies in knowing that I have to be supporting of a friend in need, and am going to be there, no matter what it takes.

Another moment passes, and another unexpected move has been made by that mysteriously mischievous hand. I have done badly in my project, again. Now I change roles instantly, and become the vulnerable victim, looking for consolation and support myself. I am now the seeker, the troubled soul, the target of a minor tragedy. I need someone to tell me that my life does not depend on a grade, and that it does not matter that much.

The real cruelty of that patronizing hand is that, just when you start to get comfortable in a role of life, it squiggles and squirms, and you find yourself in some entirely new situation, in an entirely different costume, in an completely new act. The best you can do is to shed your old costumes and apprehensions, wear the new make up, tie the new strings and dance to a brand new tune. The more you change roles, the more you start to understand the tune that the hand is making you follow, and with time passing and experience you become slightly more accustomed to the sudden movements, and adjust your strings in such a way so they don’t hurt you. And yet, those unexpected surprises evoke strong emotions, and become catalysts for the change of scenery. Such is life, I suppose.

End of Act 1.

Act 2....still not sure about!