And all the men and women merely players

Personality is a flimsy thing- a construct. At its best it can be a work of art. You take what you are given- genes, upbringing, education- and you do the best you can with them. This self that I inhabit suits me more or less. In some aspects it's a botched job. At moments of stress I can step away from it and judge its performance and even find it amusing.

For instance, when I left the Church I had to get up into the pulpit and denounce myself. I had to admit to adultery and the failure of my marriage. And I relished the situation hugely. It was like watching an actor. I thought, "what a good show he's putting on."

All the world's a stage. And the play is not that important. The life and death situations are not that important.

And who is the self that does the judging? I would like to think it was the true Me, the eternal Me, but I know there are other explanations.