"Fardels" is a term that refers to burdens, responsibilities, or tasks that weigh heavily on someone's shoulders and can be difficult to bear. Derived from the Middle English word "fardel" and ultimately from the Old French "fardeau," meaning a burden or bundle, "fardels" is primarily used in a metaphorical sense.
In literature, specifically in William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," the famous soliloquy "To be or not to be" features the phrase "the proud man's contumely, the pangs of despised love, the law's delay, the insolence of office, and the spurns that patient merit of the unworthy takes," which collectively represent the fardels that weigh upon the protagonist's mind.
The term "fardels" can encompass various forms of emotional, psychological, or physical burdens that an individual may endure throughout their life. It could refer to mental anguish, regrets, debts, or societal expectations one may struggle to uphold. Fardels often imply feelings of being overwhelmed, trapped, or unable to liberate oneself from the burdensome responsibilities.
Furthermore, "fardels" can also be interpreted as symbolic or allegorical representations of the challenges and hardships encountered in human existence. It exemplifies the complex and multifaceted nature of life, urging individuals to confront and deal with their burdens, or perhaps to find solace and relief by sharing their fardels with others.
Overall, "fardels" signifies the weighty burdens and challenges that individuals face in their personal journeys, encompassing both concrete and abstract aspects of life's many demands.
