IJ Yorick and cyanide

[Bruce Appelbaum]

     Sorry guys, I was an engineering major (and make my living as an 
     engineer).  
     
     Although I recognize the quote now, it's been a long time since I read 
     Hamlet or anything else by the bard.
     


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: RE: IJ Yorick and cyanide
Author:  Henry_Musikar at co.xerox.com (Musikar;Henry) at Internet
Date:    3/20/96 7:05 AM


Hints weren't neccessary; only the most famous quote in all theater. 
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IJ Yorick and cyanide
     
"Alas! poor Yorick.  I knew him, Horatio; a fellow of infinite
jest, of most excellent fancy; he hath borne me on his back a thousand 
times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination it is! my gorge rises at it."
     
One of Wallace's hints at this source is the name of Himself's production 
company: Poor Yorick Entertainment Unlimited.  And this brings up the 
scene's classic staging, with Hamlet addressing Yorick's skull: the 
movement of knowledge or intellect or speech from an animate thing 
(Hamlet/the film cartridge "Infinite Jest") to a recently unanimated 
thing (Yorick's head/the viewer of "Infinite Jest")
     
     
Don't remember who said this (Paul Mackin?) but it refers back to one of my 
favorite saws too - might have written in a few weeks ago. rememberance of 
hilarity in the presence of death (to wit: yorick skull et al) matches 
entertainment cartridge that brings death. Also resonates with the bit @430 
where an entire family dies horribly while trying to perform CPR on son who 
suicided with cyanide Quik - QUIK, fer chrissakes! Ha ha ha!
     
Also: heard rumors that DFW was instiutionalized. Certainly don't want to open 
an old wound for him (because I really sort of assume he's lurking with us) but 
I'd be interested to know anything from anyone.
     
chris o.